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Bolivia vs Panama
Side-by-side comparison of Bolivia and Panama from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
Bolivia
Latin America & Caribbean · nation age 201 years
Panama
Latin America & Caribbean · nation age 123 years
In short
Panama scores 45.5 in the NationsTree Index (106th in the world) and Bolivia scores 40.0 (129th), a gap of 5.5 points. Their trees are 7.2 m and 8.2 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Bolivia has 2.8 times the population of Panama. Bolivia is 15 times larger than Panama by land area. The economy of Panama is 24% larger than that of Bolivia (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Bolivia 12.6 million and Panama 4.6 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $43,902 in Panama and $12,873 in Bolivia (2025, international dollars). People in Panama live on average 11.0 years longer (79.8 vs 68.7 years).
Of 36 indicators reported by both countries, Bolivia ranks higher in the world on 11 and Panama on 25. Bolivia is clearly stronger in natural resources, military and main industries. Panama is clearly stronger in economy, institutions & safety and tourism.
As a nation, Bolivia is the older of the two (statehood since 1825, 201 years), compared with Panama (since 1903). Over the last five years Bolivia improved faster (direction score 51 vs 43 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Bolivia and Panama.
Bolivia
19.5%
169th of 180
Panamabetter
-0.2%
10th of 180
GDP growthEconomy
Bolivia
-1.6%
202nd of 210
Panamabetter
4.4%
70th of 210
Life expectancySociety & health
Bolivia
68.7
163rd of 217
Panamabetter
79.8
55th of 217
Regulatory qualityInstitutions & safety
Bolivia
34.5
184th of 205
Panamabetter
53.4
105th of 205
High-tech exportsTrade
Boliviabetter
8.8%
74th of 168
Panama
1.8%
135th of 168
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Panama overtook Bolivia in GDP (PPP) in 2014 and has stayed ahead since.
Panama overtook Bolivia in the NationsTree Index in 2013 and has stayed ahead since.
Panama has been ahead of Bolivia in GDP per person (PPP) and life expectancy in every year since 1990.
Bolivia has been ahead of Panama in population in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
BoliviaPanama All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | Bolivia | Panama |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 1,098,58027th/216 · 2024 | 75,320119th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 1,087,95927th/216 · 2024 | 74,180116th/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 12.6 m78th/217 · 2025 | 4.6 m128th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 1.35%76th/217 · 2025 | 1.22%84th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 11.4201st/216 · 2024 | 60.9144th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 71.6%83rd/217 · 2025 | 66.2%102nd/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 29.4%74th/217 · 2025 | 24.5%97th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 5.7%139th/217 · 2025 | 9.7%102nd/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $64.77 bn88th/210 · 2025 | $90.46 bn82nd/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $161.97 bn89th/199 · 2025 | $200.69 bn79th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $138.41 bn89th/199 · 2025 | $171.49 bn79th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $5,148137th/210 · 2025 | $19,79077th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $12,873129th/199 · 2025 | $43,90262nd/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $4,420134th/201 · 2025 | $19,14070th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | -1.6%202nd/210 · 2025 | 4.4%70th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 19.5%169th/180 · 2025 | -0.2%10th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 3.0%38th/187 · 2025 | 8.4%137th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | 68.3%2001 | — |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 83.3%149th/189 · 2025 | 56.6%105th/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -11.4%183rd/192 · 2025 | -3.7%123rd/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 8.8%77th/197 · 2024 | 2.6%135th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 31.3%49th/200 · 2024 | 24.9%88th/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 13.1%65th/192 · 2024 | 4.8%155th/192 · 2025 |
| Services % of GDP | 53.4%129th/200 · 2024 | 70.0%35th/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $11.76 bn105th/182 · 2024 | $38.38 bn75th/182 · 2024 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $14.02 bn109th/182 · 2024 | $34.02 bn77th/182 · 2024 |
| Exports % of GDP | 21.4%141st/183 · 2024 | 44.4%65th/183 · 2024 |
| Imports % of GDP | 25.5%150th/183 · 2024 | 39.3%104th/183 · 2024 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 47.0%148th/183 · 2024 | 83.7%88th/183 · 2024 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 11.7%44th/170 · 2025 | 0.9%123rd/170 · 2025 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 8.3%137th/171 · 2025 | 12.6%126th/171 · 2025 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 20.5%73rd/171 · 2025 | 49.6%30th/171 · 2025 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 46.6%8th/171 · 2025 | 32.6%16th/171 · 2025 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 8.8%74th/168 · 2024 | 1.8%135th/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -1.9%99th/191 · 2025 | -0.2%78th/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 0.8%151st/196 · 2025 | 1.0%139th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 9.5%48th/209 · 2021 | 3.7%83rd/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 1.26%43rd/197 · 2021 | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 1.85%24th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 5.91%19th/209 · 2021 | 3.58%29th/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 0.44%73rd/209 · 2021 | 0.09%116th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 5.6%131st/206 · 2024 | 6.7%122nd/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 25,13026th/183 · 2022 | 31,04019th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 323,300141st/194 · 2020 | 647,000113th/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $243.0 m114th/175 · 2020 | $1.84 bn52nd/175 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 3.3%102nd/168 · 2020 | 9.3%61st/168 · 2020 |
| Outbound trips departures | 432,00080th/107 · 2020 | 401,00083rd/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 68.7163rd/217 · 2024 | 79.855th/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 15.7102nd/196 · 2024 | 15.3100th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 1.2899th/174 · 2021 | 1.6390th/174 · 2022 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 1.5101st/145 · 2023 | 2.088th/145 · 2023 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 59%186th/193 · 2024 | 72%165th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 65.6%90th/153 · 2024 | 64.7%92nd/153 · 2024 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 90.5%101st/173 · 2024 | 76.6%2017 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 96.9%1st/55 · 2021 | 76.8%13th/55 · 2023 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 8.9%139th/217 · 2025 | 14.7%99th/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 6.9%86th/193 · 2023 | 8.3%56th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 96.7%28th/98 · 2024 | 96.2%31st/98 · 2024 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | — | 53.7%74th/150 · 2023 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.733108th/193 · 2023 | 0.83959th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 40.990th/108 · 2024 | 49.7104th/108 · 2024 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 2.1%59th/108 · 2024 | 3.1%70th/108 · 2024 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 96.6%146th/215 · 2024 | 96.0%149th/215 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 79.7%103rd/186 · 2024 | 72.8%118th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 98142nd/210 · 2024 | 15726th/210 · 2023 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 12.1110th/208 · 2024 | 18.192nd/208 · 2023 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 2.4096th/164 · 2022 | 3.3043rd/164 · 2022 |
| Rail lines route-km | — | 4852000 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 5.6 m57th/161 · 2023 | 15.8 m41st/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 2.2994th/203 · 2024 | 2.74107th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 12.8%128th/212 · 2021 | 28.0%84th/212 · 2021 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 28.1147th/200 · 2023 | 15.184th/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 50.2%58th/214 · 2024 | 62.2%26th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 833102nd/149 · 2024 | 1,00290th/149 · 2024 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 39.7154th/205 · 2025 | 56.886th/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 24.1179th/207 · 2025 | 36.8138th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 36.4187th/207 · 2025 | 53.6116th/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 62.7127th/207 · 2025 | 69.995th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 34.5184th/205 · 2025 | 53.4105th/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 54.5114th/205 · 2025 | 66.572nd/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 4.494th/145 · 2023 | 11.7121st/145 · 2023 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $688.3 m90th/156 · 2025 | $0.00154th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 1.2%104th/156 · 2025 | 0.0%154th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 3.2%125th/154 · 2025 | 0.0%152nd/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 71,00059th/170 · 2020 | 28,00089th/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 1.21%54th/168 · 2020 | 1.33%48th/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 0158th/163 · 2024 | — |
| Arms exports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | — | 1.0 m2019 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | 0.06%104th/110 · 2021 | 0.20%86th/110 · 2024 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | 10104th/137 · 2022 | 11101st/137 · 2024 |
| Scientific articles articles | 197129th/197 · 2023 | 282116th/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Bolivia or Panama?
Bolivia has the larger population: 12.6 m (2025) compared with 4.6 m for Panama (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Bolivia or Panama?
Bolivia is larger: 1,098,580 km² (2024) compared with 75,320 km² for Panama (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Bolivia or Panama?
Panama has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $200.69 bn intl. (2025) compared with $161.97 bn intl. for Bolivia (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Bolivia or Panama?
Panama has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $43,902 intl. (2025) compared with $12,873 intl. for Bolivia (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Bolivia or Panama?
Panama has the higher life expectancy at birth: 79.8 years (2024) compared with 68.7 years for Bolivia (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Bolivia or Panama?
Bolivia spends more on the military: $688.3 m (2025) compared with $0.00 for Panama (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Bolivia or Panama?
Panama: 45.5 points (106th in the world); Bolivia: 40.0 points (129th). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Costa Rica
Paraguay
Puerto Rico (US)
Uruguay
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
GuatemalaSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). Bolivia vs Panama — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/bolivia-vs-panama. Data as of 26 October 2026.