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Economy of Panama vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Panama has a GDP of $90.5B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 82/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $51.2B in government debt (56.6% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Panama vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Panama
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama UAE
2025 $90,462,600,000 -
2024 $86,523,959,100 $552,324,919,096
2023 $83,812,155,200 $522,622,268,401
2022 $76,479,304,500 $511,403,404,642
2021 $67,396,392,500 $422,441,282,436
2020 $57,059,846,500 $357,161,776,271
2019 $69,778,991,200 $433,926,218,686
2018 $67,316,471,200 $440,560,003,161
2017 $64,327,688,800 $403,365,056,079
2016 $59,760,858,700 $381,717,208,621
2015 $55,767,806,100 $381,973,135,513
2014 $51,427,104,900 $424,935,834,104
2013 $46,949,496,500 $409,632,574,703
2012 $41,595,439,700 $392,793,559,051
2011 $35,687,738,300 $368,881,033,963
2010 $30,231,009,500 $307,736,348,527
2009 $27,791,215,500 $253,547,358,747
2008 $25,721,328,000 $315,474,615,741
2007 $21,717,433,800 $257,916,148,767
2006 $18,659,721,500 $222,116,532,963
2005 $16,623,906,700 $180,617,467,954
2004 $15,100,203,400 $147,824,249,958
2003 $13,603,456,000 $124,346,476,180
2002 $12,800,851,300 $109,816,091,079
2001 $12,252,906,300 $103,311,631,797
2000 $11,966,497,000 $104,337,463,730
1999 $11,660,704,800 $84,445,399,335
1998 $11,019,557,700 $75,674,384,205
1997 $10,058,854,400 $78,838,886,862
1996 $9,197,503,300 $73,571,217,377
1995 $9,573,813,700 $65,743,604,966
1994 $9,365,289,800 $59,305,111,228
1993 $8,782,585,400 $55,625,269,485
1992 $8,042,337,700 $54,239,188,746
1991 $7,074,675,500 $51,552,058,250
1990 $6,433,967,000 $50,701,374,187
1989 $5,918,469,800 $41,464,966,302
1988 $5,902,783,400 $36,275,613,877
1987 $6,827,665,300 $36,384,802,310
1986 $6,797,834,200 $33,943,568,481
1985 $6,541,517,100 $40,603,631,079
1984 $6,183,387,100 $41,807,931,453
1983 $5,923,755,900 $42,803,373,390
1982 $5,769,767,900 $46,622,715,281
1981 $5,222,421,500 $49,333,471,895
1980 $4,614,086,400 $43,599,134,193
1979 $3,704,551,600 $31,225,557,022
1978 $3,244,558,600 $23,775,718,541
1977 $2,738,261,900 $24,871,660,292
1976 $2,588,106,000 $19,213,212,475
1975 $2,435,304,100 $14,720,729,969
1974 $2,188,307,600 $11,651,505,689
1973 $1,913,793,400 $4,231,243,616
1972 $1,673,411,700 $1,415,086,929
1971 $1,523,917,200 $939,893,600
1970 $1,351,006,400 $685,986,701
1969 $1,221,305,700 -
1968 $1,112,791,100 -
1967 $1,034,376,400 -
1966 $928,833,000 -
1965 $852,485,300 -
1964 $776,137,500 -
1963 $722,784,500 -
1962 $652,120,900 -
1961 $599,026,300 -
1960 $537,147,100 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Panama vs United Arab Emirates by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,790 - - -
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $2,462 - $23,167 -
1988 $2,509 - $21,570 -
1987 $2,966 - $23,113 -
1986 $3,019 - $23,132 -
1985 $2,972 - $29,468 -
1984 $2,875 - $32,012 -
1983 $2,819 - $34,650 -
1982 $2,811 - $39,972 -
1981 $2,605 - $44,855 -
1980 $2,357 - $42,925 -
1979 $1,938 - $34,238 -
1978 $1,738 - $29,379 -
1977 $1,503 - $35,020 -
1976 $1,457 - $31,197 -
1975 $1,406 - $27,117 -
1974 $1,296 - $23,823 -
1973 $1,164 - $9,696 -
1972 $1,046 - $3,675 -
1971 $979 - $2,805 -
1970 $893 - $2,394 -
1969 $830 - - -
1968 $778 - - -
1967 $745 - - -
1966 $689 - - -
1965 $651 - - -
1964 $611 - - -
1963 $587 - - -
1962 $546 - - -
1961 $516 - - -
1960 $477 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,790, ranking 62/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Panama UAE
Gross domestic product
$90.5B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
82/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
4.35%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,790
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$51.2B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.6%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$11,198
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
56/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,056
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.2B
2025
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.19%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.31%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
4654479
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.9% 56.6% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 23.1% 57.8% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 21.4% 54.4% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 21.3% 56.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 23.7% 58% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 27% 62.4% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 20.5% 42.5% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 21.7% 36.3% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 21.1% 34.3% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 21.3% 34% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 21.4% 34.1% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 22.9% 32.9% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 23.6% 30.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 23% 31.3% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 23.7% 35.9% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 24.4% 38.5% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 22.9% 39.5% 35% 21.1%
2008 23% 40.6% 22% 8.95%
2007 22.2% 48.2% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 22.4% 56.1% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 23.2% 61.5% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 24.4% 61.5% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 25.7% 59.9% 20% 3.33%
2002 25.1% 60.9% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 25.2% 62.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 24.7% 58% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 25.2% 60.4% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 25.9% 64.3% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 24.8% 67.3% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 24.3% 73.6% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 29.3% 86.7% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 28.5% 88.7% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 36% 4.97%
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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Panama's government spending was $18.9B, accounting for 20.9% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.6% in Panama and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 84/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama UAE
2025 -3.67% 5.15%
2024 -6.23% 6.41%
2023 -3.9% 5.82%
2022 -3.98% 9.8%
2021 -6.45% 3.96%
2020 -9.68% -2.42%
2019 -2.74% 2.5%
2018 -2.76% 3.65%
2017 -1.8% -0.16%
2016 -1.76% -2.95%
2015 -2.17% -6.35%
2014 -3.04% 1.74%
2013 -2.4% 7.99%
2012 -1.32% 8.59%
2011 -1.97% 5.05%
2010 -1.69% 0.52%
2009 -0.91% -6.13%
2008 0.38% 17.6%
2007 3.17% 17.1%
2006 0.53% 20.2%
2005 -2.29% 16%
2004 -4.54% 6.4%
2003 -2.41% 2.35%
2002 -1.03% -1.24%
2001 -0.45% 1.21%
2000 2.22% 10.7%
1999 -0.71% 1.31%
1998 -1.23% 1%
1997 1.39% 6.71%
1996 2.81% 0.92%
1995 2.61% 3.58%
1994 2.4% -1.78%
1993 -9.4% -2.89%
1992 -2.62% 3.34%
1991 -0.6% 3.89%
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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.39B, equivalent to 6.23% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama UAE
2025 -0.19% 1.3%
2024 0.69% 1.7%
2023 1.49% 1.6%
2022 2.86% 4.8%
2021 1.63% -0.1%
2020 -1.55% -2.1%
2019 -0.36% -1.9%
2018 0.76% 3.1%
2017 0.88% 2%
2016 0.74% 1.6%
2015 0.14% 4.1%
2014 2.63% 2.3%
2013 4.03% 1.1%
2012 5.7% 0.7%
2011 5.88% 0.9%
2010 3.49% 0.9%
2009 2.41% -4.7%
2008 8.76% 12.3%
2007 4.17% 11.1%
2006 2.46% 9.3%
2005 2.86% 6.2%
2004 0.47% 5%
2003 0.39% 3.1%
2002 1.01% 2.9%
2001 0.31% 2.8%
2000 1.5% 1.3%
1999 1.25% 2.1%
1998 0.56% 2%
1997 1.32% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.94%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was -0.19% in Panama and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $10.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.79M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.27M
Machinery & equipment $1.74M
Raw agricultural goods $1.06M
Metals $110K
Animal & marine products $93K
Raw materials & minerals $40K
Wood & paper products $13K
UAE
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $50.7M
Chemicals & pharma $40.8M
Machinery & equipment $20M
Raw materials & minerals $5.6M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.29M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.15M
Metals $1.06M
Wood & paper products $175K
Miscellaneous $124K
Raw agricultural goods $107K

Balance of trade

Panama UAE
Current account balance
-$169M
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
91/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.19%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$28.2B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$18.6B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$5.91B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$20.2B
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama UAE
Economic freedom 64.9 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 29/197
Property rights 56.7 62.9
Government integrity 37.4 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 34.4
Tax burden 86.1 99.9
Government spending 85.5 85.1
Fiscal health 51.8 97.6
Business freedom 72.6 84.5
Labor freedom 60.9 63.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 81.2
Trade freedom 80.2 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama UAE
2026 64.9 71.9
2025 65.5 71.6
2024 64.1 71.1
2023 63.8 70.9
2022 65.4 70.2
2021 66.2 76.9
2020 67.2 76.2
2019 67.2 77.6
2018 67 77.6
2017 66.3 76.9
2016 64.8 72.6
2015 64.1 72.4
2014 63.4 71.4
2013 62.5 71.1
2012 65.2 69.3
2011 64.9 67.8
2010 64.8 67.3
2009 64.7 64.7
2008 64.7 62.6
2007 64.6 62.6
2006 65.6 62.2
2005 64.3 65.2
2004 65.3 67.2
2003 68.4 73.4
2002 68.5 73.6
2001 70.6 74.9
2000 71.6 74.2
1999 72.6 71.5
1998 72.6 72.2
1997 72.4 71.9
1996 71.8 71.6
1995 71.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama UAE
Services, % of GDP
70%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.9%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.62%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$87.5B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$41,770
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.24B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.81B
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.09B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$84.3M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
26.6%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.

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.