Panama Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
Panama's regulatory quality was -0.06 in 2025, ranked 101st globally. This represents a 152.7% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Panama's regulatory quality stood at -0.06 in 2025, a decline of +0.18 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.06 by 2025. Panama ranked 101st globally.
Panama's regulatory quality has exhibited a marked decline over the past two and a half decades, with the indicator standing at -0.06 in 2025, ranking the country 101st globally. This represents a significant drop from its all-time peak of 0.82 in 1998, a year that followed Panama's transition to democracy. Conversely, the current reading is also the country's all-time trough, a testament to the challenges Panama has faced in ensuring effective governance and regulatory stability. Compared to its regional peers, Panama's score is more closely aligned with that of Namibia, which ranks 104th globally with a score of -0.08, than with Trinidad and Tobago, which ranks 99th with a score of -0.04. The downward trend in Panama's regulatory quality suggests that the country may face ongoing difficulties in attracting investment and promoting economic growth, potentially reversing the positive trajectory seen in the late 1990s. A sustained commitment to institutional reform and effective governance will be crucial in reversing this trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -0.13 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -0.06 | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.06 | −0.18 | #101 |
| 2023 | 0.12 | −0.01 | #89 |
| 2022 | 0.13 | −0.05 | #89 |
| 2021 | 0.18 | −0.15 | #81 |
| 2020 | 0.32 | −0.06 | #75 |
| 2019 | 0.38 | −0.00 | #70 |
| 2018 | 0.39 | −0.04 | #69 |
| 2017 | 0.43 | −0.04 | #62 |
| 2016 | 0.47 | +0.02 | #65 |
| 2015 | 0.45 | −0.03 | #64 |
| 2014 | 0.48 | +0.03 | #62 |
| 2013 | 0.45 | −0.02 | #66 |
| 2012 | 0.47 | −0.07 | #63 |
| 2011 | 0.53 | +0.06 | #61 |
| 2010 | 0.47 | +0.08 | #66 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Panama matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1994. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Panama's regulatory quality was -0.06 in 2025. Ranked 101st globally. This represents a 152.7% decrease from the previous year.
Panama's regulatory quality peaked at 0.82 in 1998.
The lowest regulatory quality in Panama was -0.06 in 2025.
Panama ranks 101st globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Panama's regulatory quality is projected to reach -0.06 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of Panama in 2025 was -0.06. This ranks 101st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_panama_regulatory-quality,
title = {Panama Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/panama/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}