Driven by Transportation such as the Canal, Panama’s GDP Grew by 5.2% in the First Quarter of 2025
Other key sectors that boosted the Panamanian economy were trade, construction, and exports.
It should be noted that in the first quarter of 2024, the Panamanian economy only grew 1.8%. Panama’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 5.6% in the first quarter of 2025, driven primarily by the transportation sector, the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC) of the Comptroller General’s Office confirmed Tuesday. The technical report revealed that GDP valued at constant 2018 prices reached $21,449.4 billion. In nominal terms, GDP was $22,855.4 billion, an increase of 5.3%.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), new statistical data reveals that the economic boost came primarily from the transportation sector, which experienced a 26.2% increase. This result is largely due to the performance of the Panama Canal, which reported a 43.6% increase in toll revenue (at current prices). Additionally the container throughput in the National Port System increased by 3.0%. Public transportation use also increased. In this case, MiBus carried 5.1% more passengers and the Panama Metro 0.6%.
Another key sector was trade, which grew 2.9%, driven by the rise in retail sales (5.6%) and new car sales (14.1%). The statistical agency indicated that financial intermediation remained dynamic, growing by 7.1% , reflecting the strong performance of the International Banking Center (IBC) and insurance companies. Regarding construction, growth was 1.8%, driven by public works that increased by 20.7%, such as Metro Line 3, the fourth bridge over the Canal, and road projects in different regions of the country.
Meanwhile, exports also contributed to economic growth: Banana export volume grew by 50.7%, fresh fish by 23.6%, and shrimp by 45.7%. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), the positive performance confirms that the Panamanian economy maintains a path of recovery and growth, supported by strategic sectors that generate employment, investment, and confidence.
