According to ECLAC, the Panamanian Economy will Grow 4.4% in 2026 and 4.6% in 2027.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) projects that Panama will maintain economic growth above the regional and Central American average over the next two years. According to the report, the Panamanian economy would grow 4.4% in 2026 and accelerate to 4.6% in 2027, consolidating itself as one of the most dynamic in Latin America. Panama’s performance contrasts with the trend forecast for Central America, where growth is expected to moderate to 2.0% in 2026, before recovering to 2.5% in 2027. At the Latin America and Caribbean level, ECLAC estimates that economic activity will increase by 2.2% in 2026, below the 2.4% recorded in 2025, and rebound moderately to 2.5% in 2027.
With this, the region would complete five consecutive years with an average growth of around 2.3%. According to ECLAC, the projected recovery in Central America by 2027 would be supported by a gradual improvement in international trade and less restrictive financial conditions. However, it warns that challenges associated with low productivity, insufficient investment, and high vulnerability to external shocks and climate events will persist. The organization also notes that the outlook for 2026 and 2027 confirms that Latin America and the Caribbean will continue to grow at a rate insufficient to close its development gaps, reflecting both the uncertainty of the international context and structural constraints that limit the region’s capacity to grow.
