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Economy of Panama vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Panama has a GDP of $86.5B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 78/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $49.6B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Panama vs Syria GDP by year

Panama
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Syria
2024 $86,523,959,132 -
2023 $83,812,155,244 $19,993,439,950
2022 $76,479,304,471 $23,622,827,080
2021 $67,396,392,506 $14,353,205,678
2020 $57,059,846,522 $12,047,752,036
2019 $69,778,991,193 $22,583,045,060
2018 $67,316,471,181 $21,497,782,868
2017 $64,327,688,826 $16,369,843,352
2016 $59,760,858,718 $12,597,854,877
2015 $55,767,806,073 $16,466,863,117
2014 $51,427,104,882 $21,502,061,466
2013 $46,949,496,479 $21,361,254,635
2012 $41,595,439,721 $43,190,318,033
2011 $35,687,738,252 $67,539,428,159
2010 $30,231,009,533 $61,390,830,875
2009 $27,791,215,547 $54,111,735,629
2008 $25,721,327,955 $52,557,913,569
2007 $21,717,433,808 $40,465,318,382
2006 $18,659,721,513 $33,751,788,856
2005 $16,623,906,739 $28,858,965,517
2004 $15,100,203,362 $25,086,950,495
2003 $13,603,456,003 $21,828,144,686
2002 $12,800,851,271 $20,669,357,462
2001 $12,252,906,341 $20,237,024,725
2000 $11,966,497,049 $18,937,052,543
1999 $11,660,704,777 $15,873,875,969
1998 $11,019,557,689 $15,200,846,154
1997 $10,058,854,386 $14,505,233,463
1996 $9,197,503,323 $13,789,560,878
1995 $9,573,813,700 $11,396,706,587
1994 $9,365,289,800 $10,122,020,000
1993 $8,782,585,400 $13,695,962,055
1992 $8,042,337,700 $13,253,565,861
1991 $7,074,675,500 $12,981,833,333
1990 $6,433,967,000 $12,308,624,418
1989 $5,918,469,800 $9,853,395,762
1988 $5,902,783,400 $10,577,041,645
1987 $6,827,665,300 $11,356,215,543
1986 $6,797,834,200 $13,293,205,278
1985 $6,541,517,100 $16,403,539,893
1984 $6,183,387,100 $17,503,078,174
1983 $5,923,755,900 $17,589,277,143
1982 $5,769,767,900 $16,298,929,011
1981 $5,222,421,500 $15,518,201,335
1980 $4,614,086,400 $13,062,420,382
1979 $3,704,551,600 $9,929,681,529
1978 $3,244,558,600 $9,275,200,458
1977 $2,738,261,900 $7,696,011,396
1976 $2,588,106,000 $7,633,528,867
1975 $2,435,304,100 $6,826,980,444
1974 $2,188,307,600 $5,159,557,148
1973 $1,913,793,400 $3,239,487,516
1972 $1,673,411,700 $3,059,681,698
1971 $1,523,917,200 $2,589,851,325
1970 $1,351,006,400 $2,140,384,010
1969 $1,221,305,700 $2,245,011,515
1968 $1,112,791,100 $1,753,746,430
1967 $1,034,376,400 $1,580,229,799
1966 $928,833,000 $1,342,287,553
1965 $852,485,300 $1,472,036,540
1964 $776,137,500 $1,339,494,267
1963 $722,784,500 $1,200,447,408
1962 $652,120,900 $1,110,565,881
1961 $599,026,300 $945,244,972
1960 $537,147,100 $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/syria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Panama vs Syria by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $19,161 $41,369 - -
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $847 $4,650
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $664 $4,593
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $572 $3,738
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $852 $3,265
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $656 -
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $848 -
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $1,061 -
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $986 -
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $1,898 -
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $2,952 -
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $2,731 -
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $2,462 -
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $2,429 -
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $1,938 -
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $1,719 -
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $1,534 -
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $1,368 -
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $1,220 -
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $1,183 -
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $1,187 -
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $1,138 -
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $978 -
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $961 -
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $941 -
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $918 -
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $780 -
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $712 -
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $993 -
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $990 -
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $1,000 -
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $978 -
1989 $2,462 - $809 -
1988 $2,509 - $898 -
1987 $2,966 - $997 -
1986 $3,019 - $1,208 -
1985 $2,972 - $1,544 -
1984 $2,875 - $1,706 -
1983 $2,819 - $1,776 -
1982 $2,811 - $1,703 -
1981 $2,605 - $1,676 -
1980 $2,357 - $1,458 -
1979 $1,938 - $1,146 -
1978 $1,738 - $1,108 -
1977 $1,503 - $951 -
1976 $1,457 - $976 -
1975 $1,406 - $904 -
1974 $1,296 - $707 -
1973 $1,164 - $459 -
1972 $1,046 - $448 -
1971 $979 - $393 -
1970 $893 - $335 -
1969 $830 - $364 -
1968 $778 - $293.3 -
1967 $745 - $272.9 -
1966 $689 - $239.3 -
1965 $651 - $270.8 -
1964 $611 - $254.2 -
1963 $587 - $234.9 -
1962 $546 - $223.9 -
1961 $516 - $196.3 -
1960 $477 - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/syria | CC BY

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,161, ranking 60/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Panama Syria
Gross domestic product
$86.5B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
78/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
2.75%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$19,161
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$49.6B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$10,995
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,196
2026
$730
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$18.3B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
0.69%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
4642198
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.1% 57.4% - -
2023 21.4% 51.2% - -
2022 21.3% 52.7% - -
2021 23.8% 54.4% - -
2020 27.5% 61.5% - -
2019 20.6% 39.8% - -
2018 21.8% 35.6% - -
2017 21.2% 33.6% - -
2016 21.3% 33.6% - -
2015 21.4% 34.2% - -
2014 23% 34.7% - -
2013 23.4% 33.7% - -
2012 22.8% 34% - -
2011 23.5% 35.6% - -
2010 24.2% 38.1% 28.6% 30%
2009 22.7% 39.1% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 22.7% 40% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 21.8% 47.4% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 21.9% 54.7% 26.3% 45%
2005 22.4% 59.3% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 23.3% 58.8% 31.3% 113%
2003 24.2% 56.5% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 23.5% 57% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 23.4% 57.8% 28% 144.5%
2000 22.8% 53.6% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 23% 55.1% 28% 147.7%
1998 23.4% 58.1% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 22.2% 60.2% 29% 147.6%
1996 21.5% 65% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 25.9% 76.6% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 25.2% 78.3% 30.3% 163%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 41.5% 112.7% 28.3% 189.8%
1989 43% 104.4% - -
1988 41.8% 105% - -
1987 40.1% 92.2% - -
1986 38.6% 84% - -
1985 39.7% 82.5% - -
1984 44% 82.5% - -
1983 44.6% 86.6% - -
1982 48% 80.9% - -
1981 30.7% 68.7% - -
1980 30.5% 69.4% - -
1979 35% 78.9% - -
1978 27.6% 83.1% - -
1977 16.9% 77.7% - -
1976 15.9% 69.7% - -
1975 15.3% 52.6% - -
1974 15.3% 37.6% - -
1973 14.4% 32.6% - -
1972 15.6% 29.5% - -
1971 15% 26.2% - -
1970 22.4% 25.7% - -
1969 20.5% 23.2% - -
1968 14.2% 18% - -
1967 14.9% 17.8% - -
1966 14% 17.9% - -
1965 13.2% 18.7% - -
1964 14.1% 20% - -
1963 19.1% 22.6% - -
1962 16.4% 19.8% - -
1961 18.9% 20.5% - -
1960 16.6% 21% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government spending was $20B, accounting for 23.1% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Panama and 30% in Syria, ranking 88/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Syria
2024 -7.42% -
2023 -3.9% -
2022 -3.98% -
2021 -6.48% -
2020 -10.2% -
2019 -2.89% -
2018 -2.88% -
2017 -1.92% -
2016 -1.89% -
2015 -2.3% -
2014 -3.21% -
2013 -2.38% -
2012 -1.31% -
2011 -1.96% -
2010 -1.68% -7.79%
2009 -0.9% -2.89%
2008 0.37% -2.86%
2007 3.12% -2.99%
2006 0.51% -1.12%
2005 -2.21% -4.41%
2004 -4.33% -4.18%
2003 -2.27% -2.7%
2002 -0.96% -2.02%
2001 -0.42% 2.3%
2000 2.05% -1.36%
1999 -0.65% -1.47%
1998 -1.11% -2.81%
1997 1.24% -1.78%
1996 2.48% -2.83%
1995 2.3% -3.81%
1994 2.12% -6%
1993 -9.4% -4.96%
1992 -2.62% -7.26%
1991 -0.6% -6.57%
1990 -3.65% -3.92%
1989 -13.6% -
1988 -13.5% -
1987 -1.7% -
1986 -1% -
1985 -2.57% -
1984 -7.56% -
1983 -7.62% -
1982 -13.3% -
1981 -6.77% -
1980 -5.17% -
1979 -12.1% -
1978 -5.21% -
1977 -1.61% -
1976 -2.65% -
1975 -0.74% -
1974 -0.6% -
1973 -0.01% -
1972 -1.17% -
1971 -0.51% -
1970 -8.02% -
1969 -7.56% -
1968 -1.5% -
1967 -1.97% -
1966 -1.18% -
1965 -1.17% -
1964 -2.51% -
1963 -6.71% -
1962 -3.01% -
1961 -5.45% -
1960 -3.05% -
1959 -3.79% -
1958 -1.62% -
1957 -0.89% -
1956 -3.69% -
1955 -1.33% -
1954 -0.2% -
1953 -0.55% -
1952 -3.84% -
1951 -2.54% -
1950 -3.89% -
1949 -1% -
1948 -1.21% -
1947 -1.94% -
1946 -3.19% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Panama's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $507M, equivalent to 1.68% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 0.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Syria
2024 0.69% -
2023 1.49% -
2022 2.86% -
2021 1.63% -
2020 -1.55% -
2019 -0.36% 13.4%
2018 0.76% 0.94%
2017 0.88% 18.1%
2016 0.74% 47.7%
2015 0.14% 38.5%
2014 2.63% 10.9%
2013 4.03% 40%
2012 5.7% 36.7%
2011 5.88% 4.75%
2010 3.49% 4.4%
2009 2.41% 2.92%
2008 8.76% 15.7%
2007 4.17% 3.91%
2006 2.46% 10%
2005 2.86% 7.24%
2004 0.47% 4.43%
2003 0.39% 5.8%
2002 1.01% -0.13%
2001 0.31% 3%
2000 1.5% -3.85%
1999 1.25% -3.7%
1998 0.56% -0.8%
1997 1.32% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/syria | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.23%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 0.69% in Panama and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Syria
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Panama Syria
Current account balance
$1.67B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
51/190
2024
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.93%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$25.1B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$5.75B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$18.3B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Panama Syria
Economic freedom 64.9 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 155/197
Property rights 56.7 4
Government integrity 37.4 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 3.7
Tax burden 86.1 87.3
Government spending 85.5 78.5
Fiscal health 51.8 13.8
Business freedom 72.6 33.8
Labor freedom 60.9 37.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 80
Trade freedom 80.2 47
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Syria
2026 64.9 -
2025 65.5 -
2024 64.1 -
2023 63.8 -
2022 65.4 -
2021 66.2 -
2020 67.2 -
2019 67.2 -
2018 67 -
2017 66.3 -
2016 64.8 -
2015 64.1 -
2014 63.4 -
2013 62.5 -
2012 65.2 51.2
2011 64.9 51.3
2010 64.8 49.4
2009 64.7 51.3
2008 64.7 47.2
2007 64.6 48.3
2006 65.6 51.2
2005 64.3 46.3
2004 65.3 40.6
2003 68.4 41.3
2002 68.5 36.3
2001 70.6 36.6
2000 71.6 37.2
1999 72.6 39
1998 72.6 42.2
1997 72.4 43
1996 71.8 42.3
1995 71.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/syria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Syria
Services, % of GDP
69.3%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.68%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,260
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$6.86B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2024
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.38B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.24B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
16%
1969

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/syria | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.