Unemployment rate (annual) in Panama

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 10.4% 2027: 9.5% 2028: 8.6% 2029: 7.8% 2030: 6.9% 2031: 6.0%

9.5% (1999) ANUAL · % · Annual · CSV

Period	%
Jan 1999	9.5%
Jan 1998	11.6%
Jan 1997	13.4%
Jan 1996	14.3%
Jan 1995	14.0%
Jan 1994	14.0%
Jan 1993	13.3%
Jan 1992	14.7%
Jan 1991	16.0%
Jan 1990	16.7%

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually, covering the full year and subject to revision.

What it is

Measures the share of Panama's labour force that is without work and actively seeking a job. Compiled by Panama's National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), it is the main indicator of its labour market.

How it's calculated

It is drawn from the INEC Labour Market Survey applying the ILO definition of unemployment. It is expressed as an annual percentage of the economically active population.

Market implications

The unemployment rate reflects the ability of a highly open, services-driven economy (the Canal, logistics, banking) to create jobs. As Panama is dollarised, there is no independent monetary policy or currency to react, so its relevance is mainly social and fiscal.

Limitations

High informal employment means open unemployment understates the weakness of the labour market. The annual data are subject to sampling error, seasonality and revision, and do not reflect job quality.