Panama Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Panama's unemployment rate was 8.36% in 2025, ranked 135th globally. This represents a 12.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Panama's unemployment rate stood at 8.36% in 2025, a decline of +1.17pp from 2024. The IMF projects 8.00% by 2025. Panama ranked 135th globally.
Panama's unemployment rate has exhibited significant fluctuations over a 46-year period, with the all-time peak occurring in 1989 at 18.94% amidst an economic downturn. Conversely, the all-time trough was reached in 2013 with an unemployment rate of 3.67%, a period marked by robust economic growth. Over the years, the unemployment rate has oscillated, with the latest available data showing a rate of 8.36% as of 2025, ranking Panama 135th globally. Notably, this rate is comparable to that of Equatorial Guinea, which ranks slightly lower, and higher than Estonia, which has a lower unemployment rate. The relatively high unemployment rate of 8.36% in 2025 may be attributed to various factors, including the country's economic structure and demographic trends. A potential shift in the country's economic policies or international economic conditions could alter the trajectory of unemployment in Panama, with a possible decrease in the rate if the country is able to sustain economic growth and create new job opportunities.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 7.70% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 7.70% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 7.70% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 7.70% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 7.70% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 8.00% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.36% | −1.17pp | #135 |
| 2024 | 8.45% | +1.02pp | #141 |
| 2023 | 6.54% | −3.37pp | #126 |
| 2022 | 8.09% | −3.21pp | #136 |
| 2021 | 10.18% | −8.37pp | #142 |
| 2020 | 14.66% | +7.59pp | #162 |
| 2019 | 6.26% | +0.30pp | #112 |
| 2018 | 5.16% | −0.97pp | #92 |
| 2017 | 5.34% | −0.16pp | #89 |
| 2016 | 4.72% | −0.34pp | #71 |
| 2015 | 4.34% | −0.49pp | #59 |
| 2014 | 4.39% | +0.29pp | #59 |
| 2013 | 3.67% | −0.38pp | #47 |
| 2012 | 3.69% | −0.79pp | #44 |
| 2011 | 4.03% | −2.49pp | #54 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Panama matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1994. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Panama's unemployment rate was 8.36% in 2025. Ranked 135th globally. This represents a 12.2% decrease from the previous year.
Panama's unemployment rate peaked at 18.94% in 1989.
The lowest unemployment rate in Panama was 3.67% in 2013.
Panama ranks 135th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Panama's unemployment rate is projected to reach 8.00% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Panama in 2025 was 8.36%. This ranks 135th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_panama_unemployment-rate,
title = {Panama Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/panama/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}