Panama Health Spending
Current health expenditure as % of GDP SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS
Panama's health spending was 8.66% in 2025, ranked 55th globally. This represents a 4.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2000–2025.
Overview
Panama's health spending stood at 8.66% in 2025, a rise of +0.33% from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 8.66% by 2025. Panama ranked 55th globally.
Panama’s health spending as a share of GDP reached 8.66% in 2025, ranking the country 55th globally, according to World Bank data spanning 25 years. This figure reflects a long-term upward trajectory from a trough of 6.21% in 2005, with spending peaking at 10.22% in 2020 during the height of the global pandemic. The 2025 value represents a modest decline from that peak but remains well above the early 2000s levels, including the 6.98% recorded in 2000. Over the same period, peer nations such as Jamaica and Maldives reported similar spending levels, at 8.72% and 8.73% respectively, suggesting a regional convergence in health investment among middle-income economies. Despite the post-pandemic adjustment, Panama has maintained a relatively stable commitment to public health financing. The trajectory of future spending will likely depend on fiscal policy priorities, economic growth, and the government’s ability to sustain health system reforms amid evolving demographic and epidemiological demands.
Data & projection
| Year | Health Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 8.58% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 8.66% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.66% | +0.33% | #55 |
| 2023 | 8.33% | −0.72% | #135 |
| 2022 | 9.05% | −0.09% | #151 |
| 2021 | 9.14% | −1.08% | #141 |
| 2020 | 10.22% | +2.08% | #158 |
| 2019 | 8.14% | +0.53% | #139 |
| 2018 | 7.60% | +0.44% | #136 |
| 2017 | 7.16% | +0.07% | #129 |
| 2016 | 7.09% | +0.16% | #122 |
| 2015 | 6.94% | +0.02% | #122 |
| 2014 | 6.92% | +0.39% | #119 |
| 2013 | 6.52% | +0.02% | #112 |
| 2012 | 6.50% | −0.33% | #111 |
| 2011 | 6.83% | −0.39% | #122 |
| 2010 | 7.22% | +0.24% | #126 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Panama matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1994. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw health spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Panama's health spending was 8.66% in 2025. Ranked 55th globally. This represents a 4.0% increase from the previous year.
Panama's health spending peaked at 10.22% in 2020.
The lowest health spending in Panama was 6.21% in 2005.
Panama ranks 55th globally in health spending as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SH.XPD.CHEX.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Panama's health spending is projected to reach 8.66% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The health spending of Panama in 2025 was 8.66%. This ranks 55th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_panama_health-spending,
title = {Panama Health Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/panama/health-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}