Government net lending/borrowing in Panama

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -3.4% 2027: -3.0% 2028: -2.5% 2029: -2.0% 2030: -1.5% 2031: -1.4%

-0.7 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	-0.7
Jan 1998	-1.2
Jan 1997	1.4
Jan 1996	2.8
Jan 1995	2.6
Jan 1994	2.4

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Measures the balance of Panama's public accounts: a deficit occurs when government spending exceeds revenue over the year, and a surplus when the reverse holds. It is published by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and is expressed as a share of GDP.

How it's calculated

Derived as the difference between revenue and expenditure of the non-financial public sector over the fiscal year and set against nominal GDP. The fiscal responsibility law sets a deficit ceiling that serves as a reference.

Market implications

In a dollarised economy with no monetary policy of its own, fiscal discipline is the main anchor of stability. The deficit drives debt issuance and is decisive for credit ratings (with investment grade at stake); a breach of the legal ceiling weighs on Panamanian bonds.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency, revisable figure. Panama Canal revenue and one-off operations can distort the balance, so compliance with the fiscal rule and the balance of the full non-financial public sector are worth watching.