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Economy of Panama vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Panama has a GDP of $86.5B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 78/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $49.6B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Panama vs Uruguay GDP by year

Panama
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Uruguay
2024 $86,523,959,132 $80,961,511,074
2023 $83,812,155,244 $77,991,666,838
2022 $76,479,304,471 $70,594,110,920
2021 $67,396,392,506 $60,739,084,241
2020 $57,059,846,522 $53,559,359,262
2019 $69,778,991,193 $62,222,313,619
2018 $67,316,471,181 $65,344,577,416
2017 $64,327,688,826 $65,005,997,963
2016 $59,760,858,718 $57,480,787,465
2015 $55,767,806,073 $57,680,327,999
2014 $51,427,104,882 $61,496,186,974
2013 $46,949,496,479 $61,337,621,934
2012 $41,595,439,721 $54,232,266,359
2011 $35,687,738,252 $50,342,406,067
2010 $30,231,009,533 $41,950,361,212
2009 $27,791,215,547 $32,708,319,078
2008 $25,721,327,955 $31,119,602,539
2007 $21,717,433,808 $23,797,773,024
2006 $18,659,721,513 $19,741,420,740
2005 $16,623,906,739 $17,362,857,684
2004 $15,100,203,362 $13,686,329,890
2003 $13,603,456,003 $12,045,638,352
2002 $12,800,851,271 $13,606,515,723
2001 $12,252,906,341 $20,898,761,742
2000 $11,966,497,049 $22,823,270,892
1999 $11,660,704,777 $23,983,945,191
1998 $11,019,557,689 $25,385,886,978
1997 $10,058,854,386 $23,969,739,234
1996 $9,197,503,323 $20,515,458,114
1995 $9,573,813,700 $19,297,663,097
1994 $9,365,289,800 $17,474,588,896
1993 $8,782,585,400 $15,002,136,971
1992 $8,042,337,700 $12,878,148,791
1991 $7,074,675,500 $11,206,176,651
1990 $6,433,967,000 $9,298,807,850
1989 $5,918,469,800 $8,438,951,476
1988 $5,902,783,400 $8,213,538,369
1987 $6,827,665,300 $7,367,494,080
1986 $6,797,834,200 $5,880,112,788
1985 $6,541,517,100 $4,732,017,873
1984 $6,183,387,100 $4,850,238,550
1983 $5,923,755,900 $5,102,276,308
1982 $5,769,767,900 $9,178,780,077
1981 $5,222,421,500 $11,048,301,421
1980 $4,614,086,400 $10,163,020,116
1979 $3,704,551,600 $7,181,182,224
1978 $3,244,558,600 $4,910,254,566
1977 $2,738,261,900 $4,114,670,014
1976 $2,588,106,000 $3,667,161,241
1975 $2,435,304,100 $3,538,278,047
1974 $2,188,307,600 $4,090,209,682
1973 $1,913,793,400 $3,964,296,443
1972 $1,673,411,700 $2,189,418,689
1971 $1,523,917,200 $2,807,258,065
1970 $1,351,006,400 $2,137,096,774
1969 $1,221,305,700 $2,004,435,484
1968 $1,112,791,100 $1,593,674,185
1967 $1,034,376,400 $1,597,713,469
1966 $928,833,000 $1,809,185,094
1965 $852,485,300 $1,890,767,156
1964 $776,137,500 $1,975,701,816
1963 $722,784,500 $1,539,681,491
1962 $652,120,900 $1,710,004,407
1961 $599,026,300 $1,547,388,781
1960 $537,147,100 $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in Panama vs Uruguay by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $2,462 - $2,734 -
1988 $2,509 - $2,677 -
1987 $2,966 - $2,416 -
1986 $3,019 - $1,939 -
1985 $2,972 - $1,568 -
1984 $2,875 - $1,615 -
1983 $2,819 - $1,707 -
1982 $2,811 - $3,085 -
1981 $2,605 - $3,728 -
1980 $2,357 - $3,443 -
1979 $1,938 - $2,443 -
1978 $1,738 - $1,678 -
1977 $1,503 - $1,414 -
1976 $1,457 - $1,268 -
1975 $1,406 - $1,232 -
1974 $1,296 - $1,433 -
1973 $1,164 - $1,397 -
1972 $1,046 - $776 -
1971 $979 - $1,000 -
1970 $893 - $766 -
1969 $830 - $723 -
1968 $778 - $579 -
1967 $745 - $585 -
1966 $689 - $668 -
1965 $651 - $705 -
1964 $611 - $745 -
1963 $587 - $587 -
1962 $546 - $659 -
1961 $516 - $604 -
1960 $477 - $491 -

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

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

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,161, ranking 60/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Panama Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$86.5B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
78/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
2.75%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,161
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$49.6B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,995
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,196
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$18.3B
2024
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.69%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2024
8.21%
2024
Population
4642198
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.1% 57.4% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 21.4% 51.2% 30.5% 64%
2022 21.3% 52.7% 30% 59.9%
2021 23.8% 54.4% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 27.5% 61.5% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 20.6% 39.8% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 21.8% 35.6% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 21.2% 33.6% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 21.3% 33.6% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 21.4% 34.2% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 23% 34.7% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 23.4% 33.7% 28.8% 50%
2012 22.8% 34% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 23.5% 35.6% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 24.2% 38.1% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 22.7% 39.1% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 22.7% 40% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 21.8% 47.4% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 21.9% 54.7% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 22.4% 59.3% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 23.3% 58.8% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 24.2% 56.5% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 23.5% 57% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 23.4% 57.8% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 22.8% 53.6% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 23% 55.1% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 23.4% 58.1% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 22.2% 60.2% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 21.5% 65% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 25.9% 76.6% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 25.2% 78.3% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 27.7% 20%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 41.5% 112.7% 21.1% 26.2%
1989 43% 104.4% 37% -
1988 41.8% 105% 26% 34.8%
1987 40.1% 92.2% 24.4% 37.3%
1986 38.6% 84% 25.1% 34.6%
1985 39.7% 82.5% 24.6% 29%
1984 44% 82.5% 25.6% 39.5%
1983 44.6% 86.6% 26.5% 21.2%
1982 48% 80.9% 29.5% 13.5%
1981 30.7% 68.7% 25% 4.32%
1980 30.5% 69.4% 21.8% 4.59%
1979 35% 78.9% 20.2% 3.98%
1978 27.6% 83.1% 22.9% 5.64%
1977 16.9% 77.7% 23.5% 7.26%
1976 15.9% 69.7% 24.2% 8.67%
1975 15.3% 52.6% 23% 8.13%
1974 15.3% 37.6% 23.8% 7.61%
1973 14.4% 32.6% 22.6% 7%
1972 15.6% 29.5% 24.6% 9.12%
1971 15% 26.2% 20.1% 9.3%
1970 22.4% 25.7% 15.1% 6.11%
1969 20.5% 23.2% 14.6% -
1968 14.2% 18% 14.1% -
1967 14.9% 17.8% 14.7% -
1966 14% 17.9% 14.1% -
1965 13.2% 18.7% 15.6% -
1964 14.1% 20% 14.3% -
1963 19.1% 22.6% 14.6% -
1962 16.4% 19.8% 16% -
1961 18.9% 20.5% 13% -
1960 16.6% 21% 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Panama's government spending was $20B, accounting for 23.1% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Panama and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 88/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Uruguay
2024 -7.42% -3.22%
2023 -3.9% -3.13%
2022 -3.98% -2.52%
2021 -6.48% -2.61%
2020 -10.2% -4.64%
2019 -2.89% -2.71%
2018 -2.88% -1.89%
2017 -1.92% -2.51%
2016 -1.89% -2.68%
2015 -2.3% -1.86%
2014 -3.21% -2.6%
2013 -2.38% -1.72%
2012 -1.31% -2.17%
2011 -1.96% -0.33%
2010 -1.68% -0.39%
2009 -0.9% -1.39%
2008 0.37% -1.31%
2007 3.12% -0.16%
2006 0.51% -0.64%
2005 -2.21% -0.28%
2004 -4.33% -0.87%
2003 -2.27% -2.19%
2002 -0.96% -3.19%
2001 -0.42% -2.85%
2000 2.05% -2.76%
1999 -0.65% -2.76%
1998 -1.11% -0.76%
1997 1.24% -0.97%
1996 2.48% -1.32%
1995 2.3% -1.08%
1994 2.12% -2.37%
1993 -9.4% -0.47%
1992 -2.62% 0.6%
1991 -0.6% 0.88%
1990 -3.65% 0.49%
1989 -13.6% -13.1%
1988 -13.5% -1.47%
1987 -1.7% -0.66%
1986 -1% -0.34%
1985 -2.57% -1.88%
1984 -7.56% -4.94%
1983 -7.62% -3.54%
1982 -13.3% -8.22%
1981 -6.77% -1.15%
1980 -5.17% 0.43%
1979 -12.1% 0.99%
1978 -5.21% -0.47%
1977 -1.61% -0.69%
1976 -2.65% -2.01%
1975 -0.74% -4.38%
1974 -0.6% -3.74%
1973 -0.01% -1.09%
1972 -1.17% -2.25%
1971 -0.51% -5.86%
1970 -8.02% -1.33%
1969 -7.56% -2.37%
1968 -1.5% -2.93%
1967 -1.97% -4.12%
1966 -1.18% -2.01%
1965 -1.17% -5.14%
1964 -2.51% -3.61%
1963 -6.71% -4.4%
1962 -3.01% -5.02%
1961 -5.45% -0.86%
1960 -3.05% 0.79%
1959 -3.79% 0.64%
1958 -1.62% -1.38%
1957 -0.89% -0.72%
1956 -3.69% 0.04%
1955 -1.33% -1.24%
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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/uruguay | 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 Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 65 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 57 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 59 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 3.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.21% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Uruguay
2024 0.69% 4.85%
2023 1.49% 5.87%
2022 2.86% 9.1%
2021 1.63% 7.75%
2020 -1.55% 9.76%
2019 -0.36% 7.88%
2018 0.76% 7.61%
2017 0.88% 6.22%
2016 0.74% 9.64%
2015 0.14% 8.67%
2014 2.63% 8.88%
2013 4.03% 8.58%
2012 5.7% 8.1%
2011 5.88% 8.09%
2010 3.49% 6.7%
2009 2.41% 7.06%
2008 8.76% 7.88%
2007 4.17% 8.11%
2006 2.46% 6.4%
2005 2.86% 4.7%
2004 0.47% 9.16%
2003 0.39% 19.4%
2002 1.01% 14%
2001 0.31% 4.36%
2000 1.5% 4.76%
1999 1.25% 5.66%
1998 0.56% 10.8%
1997 1.32% 19.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 0.69% in Panama and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $57.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $53.9M
Machinery & equipment $33.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.34M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.64M
Raw materials & minerals $1.04M
Metals $913K
Animal & marine products $834K
Wood & paper products $646K
Miscellaneous $411K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $14.5M
Animal & marine products $9.28M
Chemicals & pharma $2.18M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.12M
Machinery & equipment $383K
Textiles & consumer goods $210K
Raw materials & minerals $180K
Wood & paper products $22K
Metals $14K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K

Balance of trade

Panama Uruguay
Current account balance
$1.67B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
51/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.93%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$25.1B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$5.75B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$18.3B
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Uruguay
Economic freedom 64.9 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 39/197
Property rights 56.7 87.4
Government integrity 37.4 79
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 80.9
Tax burden 86.1 73.3
Government spending 85.5 72
Fiscal health 51.8 76.6
Business freedom 72.6 83.8
Labor freedom 60.9 61.7
Monetary freedom 78.2 70.2
Trade freedom 80.2 73.2
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Uruguay
2026 64.9 69.8
2025 65.5 70.2
2024 64.1 69.8
2023 63.8 70.2
2022 65.4 70
2021 66.2 69.3
2020 67.2 69.1
2019 67.2 68.6
2018 67 69.2
2017 66.3 69.7
2016 64.8 68.8
2015 64.1 68.6
2014 63.4 69.3
2013 62.5 69.7
2012 65.2 69.9
2011 64.9 70
2010 64.8 69.8
2009 64.7 69.1
2008 64.7 67.9
2007 64.6 68.4
2006 65.6 65.3
2005 64.3 66.9
2004 65.3 66.7
2003 68.4 69.8
2002 68.5 68.7
2001 70.6 70.7
2000 71.6 69.3
1999 72.6 68.5
1998 72.6 68.6
1997 72.4 67.5
1996 71.8 63.7
1995 71.6 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
69.3%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.68%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,260
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.86B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2024
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.38B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.24B
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
15.6%
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/uruguay | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, 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)

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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.