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Economy of Panama vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Panama has a GDP of $86.5B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 78/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $49.6B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Panama vs Tanzania GDP by year

Panama
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Tanzania
2024 $86,523,959,132 $78,844,405,385
2023 $83,812,155,244 $79,030,935,627
2022 $76,479,304,471 $75,749,121,843
2021 $67,396,392,506 $70,655,628,148
2020 $57,059,846,522 $66,068,737,786
2019 $69,778,991,193 $61,026,731,926
2018 $67,316,471,181 $57,003,712,892
2017 $64,327,688,826 $53,274,884,533
2016 $59,760,858,718 $49,774,409,374
2015 $55,767,806,073 $47,413,919,817
2014 $51,427,104,882 $49,986,726,461
2013 $46,949,496,479 $45,648,857,242
2012 $41,595,439,721 $39,650,394,363
2011 $35,687,738,252 $34,657,140,096
2010 $30,231,009,533 $32,012,892,919
2009 $27,791,215,547 $29,400,573,554
2008 $25,721,327,955 $27,947,821,398
2007 $21,717,433,808 $21,860,434,823
2006 $18,659,721,513 $18,619,859,795
2005 $16,623,906,739 $18,395,383,647
2004 $15,100,203,362 $16,673,062,473
2003 $13,603,456,003 $15,211,487,709
2002 $12,800,851,271 $14,129,651,896
2001 $12,252,906,341 $13,563,990,022
2000 $11,966,497,049 $13,371,767,082
1999 $11,660,704,777 $12,704,334,196
1998 $11,019,557,689 $12,172,790,056
1997 $10,058,854,386 $11,158,197,942
1996 $9,197,503,323 $9,433,528,150
1995 $9,573,813,700 $7,631,431,840
1994 $9,365,289,800 $6,550,480,484
1993 $8,782,585,400 $6,182,872,708
1992 $8,042,337,700 $6,681,997,469
1991 $7,074,675,500 $7,197,768,159
1990 $6,433,967,000 $6,184,384,225
1989 $5,918,469,800 $6,418,799,007
1988 $5,902,783,400 $7,406,614,407
1987 $6,827,665,300 $7,824,193,222
1986 $6,797,834,200 $10,840,864,521
1985 $6,541,517,100 $15,328,295,175
1984 $6,183,387,100 $12,906,635,133
1983 $5,923,755,900 $14,049,883,809
1982 $5,769,767,900 $13,927,383,240
1981 $5,222,421,500 $13,161,540,378
1980 $4,614,086,400 $11,409,228,087
1979 $3,704,551,600 $9,804,637,491
1978 $3,244,558,600 $9,261,675,710
1977 $2,738,261,900 $7,732,598,995
1976 $2,588,106,000 $6,472,511,988
1975 $2,435,304,100 $5,729,917,840
1974 $2,188,307,600 $4,977,337,978
1973 $1,913,793,400 $4,144,104,535
1972 $1,673,411,700 $3,472,787,266
1971 $1,523,917,200 $3,050,673,517
1970 $1,351,006,400 $2,851,419,386
1969 $1,221,305,700 $5,142,066,811
1968 $1,112,791,100 $4,895,251,824
1967 $1,034,376,400 $4,565,132,048
1966 $928,833,000 $4,377,998,825
1965 $852,485,300 $3,817,226,546
1964 $776,137,500 $3,748,840,925
1963 $722,784,500 $3,456,579,293
1962 $652,120,900 $3,101,589,993
1961 $599,026,300 $2,826,179,031
1960 $537,147,100 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Panama vs Tanzania by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $992 $2,728
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $957 $2,472
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $925 $2,435
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $911 $2,317
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $993 $2,221
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $935 $2,176
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $837 $2,083
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $753 $2,211
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $715 $2,069
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $674 $1,972
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $657 $1,908
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $528 $1,820
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $462 $1,707
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $469 $1,598
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $438 $1,482
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $410 $1,379
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $391 $1,302
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $385 $1,229
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $390 $1,164
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $382 $1,120
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $375 $1,082
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $353 $1,059
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $305 $1,026
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $251.2 $981
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $222.5 $958
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $218.2 $959
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $243.4 $955
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $268.8 $952
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $236.9 $925
1989 $2,462 - $252.3 -
1988 $2,509 - $299 -
1987 $2,966 - $326 -
1986 $3,019 - $466 -
1985 $2,972 - $681 -
1984 $2,875 - $593 -
1983 $2,819 - $667 -
1982 $2,811 - $683 -
1981 $2,605 - $665 -
1980 $2,357 - $595 -
1979 $1,938 - $527 -
1978 $1,738 - $515 -
1977 $1,503 - $446 -
1976 $1,457 - $387 -
1975 $1,406 - $355 -
1974 $1,296 - $320 -
1973 $1,164 - $276.1 -
1972 $1,046 - $239.8 -
1971 $979 - $218.4 -
1970 $893 - $211.3 -
1969 $830 - $394 -
1968 $778 - $388 -
1967 $745 - $374 -
1966 $689 - $370 -
1965 $651 - $333 -
1964 $611 - $337 -
1963 $587 - $320 -
1962 $546 - $295.7 -
1961 $516 - $277.4 -
1960 $477 - $267.8 -

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

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

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,161, ranking 60/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Panama Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$86.5B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
78/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
2.75%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,161
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$49.6B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,995
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,196
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$18.3B
2024
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.69%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2024
2.43%
2024
Population
4642198
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.1% 57.4% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 21.4% 51.2% 19% 47.8%
2022 21.3% 52.7% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 23.8% 54.4% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 27.5% 61.5% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 20.6% 39.8% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 21.8% 35.6% 17.3% 42%
2017 21.2% 33.6% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 21.3% 33.6% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 21.4% 34.2% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 23% 34.7% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 23.4% 33.7% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 22.8% 34% 19.6% 30%
2011 23.5% 35.6% 19% 28.4%
2010 24.2% 38.1% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 22.7% 39.1% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 22.7% 40% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 21.8% 47.4% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 21.9% 54.7% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 22.4% 59.3% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 23.3% 58.8% 17% 44.5%
2003 24.2% 56.5% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 23.5% 57% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 23.4% 57.8% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 22.8% 53.6% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 23% 55.1% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 23.4% 58.1% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 22.2% 60.2% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 21.5% 65% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 25.9% 76.6% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 25.2% 78.3% 16.8% 126%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 14.2% 106.5%
1990 41.5% 112.7% - -
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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Panama's government spending was $20B, accounting for 23.1% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Panama and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 88/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Tanzania
2024 -7.42% -3.03%
2023 -3.9% -3.67%
2022 -3.98% -3.92%
2021 -6.48% -3.55%
2020 -10.2% -2.56%
2019 -2.89% -2.06%
2018 -2.88% -2.01%
2017 -1.92% -1.14%
2016 -1.89% -2.08%
2015 -2.3% -3.17%
2014 -3.21% -2.91%
2013 -2.38% -3.76%
2012 -1.31% -4%
2011 -1.96% -3.51%
2010 -1.68% -4.74%
2009 -0.9% -4.46%
2008 0.37% -1.92%
2007 3.12% -1.44%
2006 0.51% -3.38%
2005 -2.21% -3.28%
2004 -4.33% -2.43%
2003 -2.27% -1.77%
2002 -0.96% -0.73%
2001 -0.42% -0.41%
2000 2.05% -0.73%
1999 -0.65% -1.14%
1998 -1.11% 0.13%
1997 1.24% -0.03%
1996 2.48% 1.57%
1995 2.3% -2.12%
1994 2.12% -3.74%
1993 -9.4% -2.02%
1992 -2.62% -4.96%
1991 -0.6% 0.6%
1990 -3.65% -
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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Panama's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.42B, equivalent to 7.42% of GDP. This compares to Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 1.93% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Tanzania
2024 0.69% 3.06%
2023 1.49% 3.8%
2022 2.86% 4.35%
2021 1.63% 3.69%
2020 -1.55% 3.29%
2019 -0.36% 3.46%
2018 0.76% 3.49%
2017 0.88% 5.32%
2016 0.74% 5.17%
2015 0.14% 5.59%
2014 2.63% 6.13%
2013 4.03% 7.87%
2012 5.7% 16%
2011 5.88% 12.7%
2010 3.49% 6.2%
2009 2.41% 12.1%
2008 8.76% 10.3%
2007 4.17% 7.03%
2006 2.46% 7.25%
2005 2.86% 5.03%
2004 0.47% 4.74%
2003 0.39% 5.3%
2002 1.01% 5.32%
2001 0.31% 5.15%
2000 1.5% 5.92%
1999 1.25% 7.89%
1998 0.56% 12.8%
1997 1.32% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 0.69% in Panama and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $98K
Raw agricultural goods $6K

Balance of trade

Panama Tanzania
Current account balance
$1.67B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
51/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.93%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$25.1B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$5.75B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$18.3B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Tanzania
Economic freedom 64.9 59
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 106/197
Property rights 56.7 45.2
Government integrity 37.4 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 29.6
Tax burden 86.1 80.4
Government spending 85.5 89.1
Fiscal health 51.8 75
Business freedom 72.6 48.1
Labor freedom 60.9 62.3
Monetary freedom 78.2 73.4
Trade freedom 80.2 58.8
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Tanzania
2026 64.9 59
2025 65.5 59.3
2024 64.1 59.1
2023 63.8 60
2022 65.4 59.5
2021 66.2 61.3
2020 67.2 61.7
2019 67.2 60.2
2018 67 59.9
2017 66.3 58.6
2016 64.8 58.5
2015 64.1 57.5
2014 63.4 57.8
2013 62.5 57.9
2012 65.2 57
2011 64.9 57
2010 64.8 58.3
2009 64.7 58.3
2008 64.7 56.5
2007 64.6 56.8
2006 65.6 58.5
2005 64.3 56.3
2004 65.3 60.1
2003 68.4 56.9
2002 68.5 58.3
2001 70.6 54.9
2000 71.6 56
1999 72.6 60
1998 72.6 59.6
1997 72.4 59.3
1996 71.8 57.5
1995 71.6 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
69.3%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.68%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,260
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.86B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.38B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.24B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
39.8%
2024

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/tanzania | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–2000, 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. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.