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Economy of Panama vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Panama has a GDP of $90.5B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 82/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $51.2B in government debt (56.6% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Panama vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Panama
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Zimbabwe
2025 $90,462,600,000 $51,215,643,906
2024 $86,523,959,100 $41,521,975,830
2023 $83,812,155,200 $35,871,781,303
2022 $76,479,304,500 $40,757,585,309
2021 $67,396,392,500 $41,287,852,524
2020 $57,059,846,500 $31,979,753,645
2019 $69,778,991,200 $33,360,632,553
2018 $67,316,471,200 $34,141,666,667
2017 $64,327,688,800 $51,035,657,371
2016 $59,760,858,700 $20,559,250,000
2015 $55,767,806,100 $19,973,250,000
2014 $51,427,104,900 $19,505,500,000
2013 $46,949,496,500 $19,100,750,000
2012 $41,595,439,700 $17,123,500,000
2011 $35,687,738,300 $14,109,000,000
2010 $30,231,009,500 $12,047,750,000
2009 $27,791,215,500 $9,670,750,000
2008 $25,721,328,000 $4,418,000,000
2007 $21,717,433,800 $5,294,750,000
2006 $18,659,721,500 $5,446,750,000
2005 $16,623,906,700 $5,758,250,000
2004 $15,100,203,400 $5,808,500,000
2003 $13,603,456,000 $5,730,500,000
2002 $12,800,851,300 $6,345,250,000
2001 $12,252,906,300 $6,780,750,000
2000 $11,966,497,000 $6,693,250,000
1999 $11,660,704,800 $6,861,500,000
1998 $11,019,557,700 $6,405,250,000
1997 $10,058,854,400 $8,534,000,000
1996 $9,197,503,300 $8,557,500,000
1995 $9,573,813,700 $7,115,000,000
1994 $9,365,289,800 $6,894,250,000
1993 $8,782,585,400 $6,567,250,000
1992 $8,042,337,700 $6,755,000,000
1991 $7,074,675,500 $8,646,000,000
1990 $6,433,967,000 $8,788,301,546
1989 $5,918,469,800 $8,290,553,535
1988 $5,902,783,400 $7,818,774,177
1987 $6,827,665,300 $6,744,657,033
1986 $6,797,834,200 $6,220,698,247
1985 $6,541,517,100 $5,640,137,575
1984 $6,183,387,100 $6,355,369,172
1983 $5,923,755,900 $7,768,031,182
1982 $5,769,767,900 $8,544,060,905
1981 $5,222,421,500 $8,015,464,252
1980 $4,614,086,400 $6,682,278,300
1979 $3,704,551,600 $5,180,102,910
1978 $3,244,558,600 $4,353,822,343
1977 $2,738,261,900 $4,366,610,469
1976 $2,588,106,000 $4,320,576,877
1975 $2,435,304,100 $4,373,532,601
1974 $2,188,307,600 $3,984,194,614
1973 $1,913,793,400 $3,311,043,292
1972 $1,673,411,700 $2,679,096,597
1971 $1,523,917,200 $2,179,828,710
1970 $1,351,006,400 $1,885,168,339
1969 $1,221,305,700 $1,748,891,294
1968 $1,112,791,100 $1,480,355,355
1967 $1,034,376,400 $1,397,715,282
1966 $928,833,000 $1,282,403,936
1965 $852,485,300 $1,312,105,394
1964 $776,137,500 $1,217,759,447
1963 $722,784,500 $1,160,103,724
1962 $652,120,900 $1,118,172,226
1961 $599,026,300 $1,097,206,526
1960 $537,147,100 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Panama vs Zimbabwe by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,790 - $3,021 -
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $902 $2,661
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $736 $2,233
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $341 $1,987
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $414 $2,396
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $431 $2,454
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $461 $2,496
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $470 $2,591
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $468 $2,708
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $525 $3,238
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $566 $3,533
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $563 $3,429
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $582 $3,491
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $552 $3,527
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $751 $3,457
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $767 $3,372
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $648 $3,051
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $634 $3,012
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $605 $2,703
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $631 $2,651
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $831 $2,930
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $867 $2,757
1989 $2,462 - $840 -
1988 $2,509 - $816 -
1987 $2,966 - $726 -
1986 $3,019 - $693 -
1985 $2,972 - $649 -
1984 $2,875 - $757 -
1983 $2,819 - $959 -
1982 $2,811 - $1,096 -
1981 $2,605 - $1,069 -
1980 $2,357 - $949 -
1979 $1,938 - $779 -
1978 $1,738 - $665 -
1977 $1,503 - $677 -
1976 $1,457 - $687 -
1975 $1,406 - $717 -
1974 $1,296 - $674 -
1973 $1,164 - $579 -
1972 $1,046 - $483 -
1971 $979 - $406 -
1970 $893 - $361 -
1969 $830 - $346 -
1968 $778 - $302 -
1967 $745 - $294.4 -
1966 $689 - $278.7 -
1965 $651 - $294.3 -
1964 $611 - $281.9 -
1963 $587 - $277.1 -
1962 $546 - $275.7 -
1961 $516 - $279.2 -
1960 $477 - $276.6 -

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

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

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,790, ranking 62/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Panama Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$90.5B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
82/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
4.35%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,790
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$51.2B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.6%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$11,198
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
56/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,056
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.2B
2025
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.19%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
8.31%
2025
12.1%
2024
Population
4654479
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.9% 56.6% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 23.1% 57.8% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 21.4% 54.4% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 21.3% 56.2% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 23.7% 58% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 27% 62.4% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 20.5% 42.5% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 21.7% 36.3% 14.6% 33%
2017 21.1% 34.3% 21.1% 49%
2016 21.3% 34% 17% 35.1%
2015 21.4% 34.1% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 22.9% 32.9% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 23.6% 30.8% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 23% 31.3% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 23.7% 35.9% 16.5% 30%
2010 24.4% 38.5% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 22.9% 39.5% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 23% 40.6% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 22.2% 48.2% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 22.4% 56.1% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 23.2% 61.5% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 24.4% 61.5% - -
2003 25.7% 59.9% - -
2002 25.1% 60.9% - -
2001 25.2% 62.1% - -
2000 24.7% 58% - -
1999 25.2% 60.4% - -
1998 25.9% 64.3% - -
1997 24.8% 67.3% - -
1996 24.3% 73.6% - -
1995 29.3% 86.7% - -
1994 28.5% 88.7% - -
1993 33.8% 83.6% - -
1992 27.8% 91.2% - -
1991 20.9% 103.7% - -
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 (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Panama's government spending was $18.9B, accounting for 20.9% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.6% in Panama and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 84/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Zimbabwe
2025 -3.67% 0.08%
2024 -6.23% -0.76%
2023 -3.9% -9.45%
2022 -3.98% -1%
2021 -6.45% -1.83%
2020 -9.68% 0.53%
2019 -2.74% -0.06%
2018 -2.76% -4.55%
2017 -1.8% -8.68%
2016 -1.76% -4.99%
2015 -2.17% -1.61%
2014 -3.04% -0.87%
2013 -2.4% -1.21%
2012 -1.32% -0.35%
2011 -1.97% -1.98%
2010 -1.69% -0.4%
2009 -0.91% -1.48%
2008 0.38% -1.22%
2007 3.17% -1.71%
2006 0.53% -1.46%
2005 -2.29% -3.58%
2004 -4.54% -
2003 -2.41% -
2002 -1.03% -
2001 -0.45% -
2000 2.22% -
1999 -0.71% -
1998 -1.23% -
1997 1.39% -
1996 2.81% -
1995 2.61% -
1994 2.4% -
1993 -9.4% -
1992 -2.62% -
1991 -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 (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Panama's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.32B, equivalent to 3.67% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 2.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Zimbabwe
2025 -0.19% 81.4%
2024 0.69% 736%
2023 1.49% 667%
2022 2.86% 193.4%
2021 1.63% 98.5%
2020 -1.55% 557%
2019 -0.36% 255.3%
2018 0.76% 10.6%
2017 0.88% 0.9%
2016 0.74% -1.6%
2015 0.14% -2.4%
2014 2.63% -0.2%
2013 4.03% 1.6%
2012 5.7% 3.7%
2011 5.88% 3.5%
2010 3.49% 3%
2009 2.41% 6.2%
2008 8.76% -
2007 4.17% -
2006 2.46% -
2005 2.86% -
2004 0.47% -
2003 0.39% -
2002 1.01% -
2001 0.31% -
2000 1.5% -
1999 1.25% -
1998 0.56% -
1997 1.32% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 17 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.84%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was -0.19% in Panama and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Balance of trade

Panama Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$169M
2025
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
91/190
2025
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.19%
2025
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$28.2B
2025
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$18.6B
2025
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$5.91B
2025
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$20.2B
2025
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 64.9 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 190/197
Property rights 56.7 19.4
Government integrity 37.4 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 16.8
Tax burden 86.1 73.6
Government spending 85.5 93.9
Fiscal health 51.8 52.4
Business freedom 72.6 42
Labor freedom 60.9 33.3
Monetary freedom 78.2 0
Trade freedom 80.2 50.4
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Zimbabwe
2026 64.9 35.2
2025 65.5 35.1
2024 64.1 38.2
2023 63.8 39
2022 65.4 33.1
2021 66.2 39.5
2020 67.2 43.1
2019 67.2 40.4
2018 67 44
2017 66.3 44
2016 64.8 38.2
2015 64.1 37.6
2014 63.4 35.5
2013 62.5 28.6
2012 65.2 26.3
2011 64.9 22.1
2010 64.8 21.4
2009 64.7 22.7
2008 64.7 29.5
2007 64.6 32
2006 65.6 33.5
2005 64.3 35.2
2004 65.3 34.4
2003 68.4 36.7
2002 68.5 36.7
2001 70.6 38.8
2000 71.6 48.7
1999 72.6 47.2
1998 72.6 44.6
1997 72.4 48
1996 71.8 46.7
1995 71.6 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
70%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.9%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.62%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$87.5B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$41,770
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.24B
2025
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2025
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.81B
2025
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.09B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$84.3M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
8.85%
2024

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/zimbabwe | 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 (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.

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.