Panama Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Panama's agriculture employment was 16.04% in 2025, ranked 96th globally. This represents a 1.9% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Panama's agriculture employment stood at 16.04% in 2025, a decline of +0.32% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 16.25% by 2026. Panama ranked 96th globally.
Panama's agriculture employment rate has experienced a significant decline over the past three and a half decades, with the latest value standing at 16.04% in 2025. This represents a substantial drop from the all-time peak of 29.35% in 1991, a year when agriculture was a more prominent sector in the country's economy. Conversely, the rate hit an all-time low of 14.34% in 2022, underscoring the sector's gradual decline. Among its peer countries, Panama's agriculture employment rate is surpassed by Paraguay, which has maintained a relatively stable rate of 15.97% over the years. The sector's decline can be attributed to Panama's shift towards a more service-oriented economy and growing urbanization. A sustained increase in investment in agriculture and rural development initiatives would be required to alter the trajectory of this trend and potentially reverse the decline in agriculture employment in Panama.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 16.81% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 16.53% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 16.25% | - | - |
| 2025 | 16.04% | −0.32% | #96 |
| 2024 | 16.36% | +1.65% | #96 |
| 2023 | 14.71% | +0.37% | #93 |
| 2022 | 14.34% | −1.33% | #89 |
| 2021 | 15.67% | −0.51% | #94 |
| 2020 | 16.17% | +0.11% | #95 |
| 2019 | 16.06% | +0.20% | #95 |
| 2018 | 15.86% | −0.30% | #92 |
| 2017 | 16.16% | −0.93% | #94 |
| 2016 | 17.09% | +0.74% | #96 |
| 2015 | 16.36% | −1.12% | #90 |
| 2014 | 17.48% | −0.69% | #92 |
| 2013 | 18.17% | −0.37% | #93 |
| 2012 | 18.54% | +0.17% | #95 |
| 2011 | 18.37% | −0.93% | #93 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Panama matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1994. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Panama's agriculture employment was 16.04% in 2025. Ranked 96th globally. This represents a 1.9% decrease from the previous year.
Panama's agriculture employment peaked at 29.35% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Panama was 14.34% in 2022.
Panama ranks 96th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Panama's agriculture employment is projected to reach 16.25% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Panama in 2025 was 16.04%. This ranks 96th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_panama_agriculture-employment,
title = {Panama Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/panama/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}