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Dominican Republic vs Panama
Side-by-side comparison of Dominican Republic and Panama from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
Dominican Republic
Latin America & Caribbean · nation age 182 years
Panama
Latin America & Caribbean · nation age 123 years
In short
Dominican Republic scores 47.4 in the NationsTree Index (98th in the world) and Panama scores 45.5 (106th), a gap of 2.0 points. Their trees are 11 m and 8.2 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Dominican Republic has 2.5 times the population of Panama. Dominican Republic has 95% more land area than Panama. The economy of Dominican Republic is 65% larger than that of Panama (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Dominican Republic 11.5 million and Panama 4.6 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $43,902 in Panama and $28,721 in Dominican Republic (2025, international dollars). People in Panama live on average 5.9 years longer (79.8 vs 73.9 years).
Of 36 indicators reported by both countries, Dominican Republic ranks higher in the world on 16 and Panama on 20. Dominican Republic is clearly stronger in tourism, military and main industries. Panama is clearly stronger in infrastructure & digital and society & health.
As a nation, Dominican Republic is the older of the two (statehood since 1844, 182 years), compared with Panama (since 1903). Over the last five years Dominican Republic improved faster (direction score 50 vs 43 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Dominican Republic and Panama.
Dominican Republic
3.9%
117th of 180
Panamabetter
-0.2%
10th of 180
Renewable freshwater per personNatural resources
Dominican Republic
2,092
105th of 183
Panamabetter
31,040
19th of 183
Internet usersInfrastructure & digital
Dominican Republicbetter
91.0%
51st of 186
Panama
72.8%
118th of 186
GDP growthEconomy
Dominican Republic
2.1%
143rd of 210
Panamabetter
4.4%
70th of 210
High-tech exportsTrade
Dominican Republicbetter
7.7%
82nd of 168
Panama
1.8%
135th of 168
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Dominican Republic overtook Panama in the NationsTree Index in 2023 and has stayed ahead since.
Panama has been ahead of Dominican Republic in GDP per person (PPP) and life expectancy in every year since 1990.
Dominican Republic has been ahead of Panama in GDP (PPP) and 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
Dominican RepublicPanama 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 | Dominican Republic | Panama |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 146,83995th/216 · 2024 | 75,320119th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 48,198128th/216 · 2024 | 74,180116th/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 11.5 m84th/217 · 2025 | 4.6 m128th/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 0.81%114th/217 · 2025 | 1.22%84th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 237.159th/216 · 2024 | 60.9144th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 72.5%80th/217 · 2025 | 66.2%102nd/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 26.2%89th/217 · 2025 | 24.5%97th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 8.2%117th/217 · 2025 | 9.7%102nd/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $127.41 bn66th/210 · 2025 | $90.46 bn82nd/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $330.88 bn63rd/199 · 2025 | $200.69 bn79th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $282.75 bn63rd/199 · 2025 | $171.49 bn79th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $11,05999th/210 · 2025 | $19,79077th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $28,72182nd/199 · 2025 | $43,90262nd/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $10,62091st/201 · 2025 | $19,14070th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 2.1%143rd/210 · 2025 | 4.4%70th/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 3.9%117th/180 · 2025 | -0.2%10th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 5.1%92nd/187 · 2025 | 8.4%137th/187 · 2025 |
| Central government debt % of GDP | 16.4%1999 | — |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 59.0%109th/189 · 2025 | 56.6%105th/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -3.6%121st/192 · 2025 | -3.7%123rd/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 4.6%109th/197 · 2025 | 2.6%135th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 28.4%61st/200 · 2025 | 24.9%88th/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 12.3%75th/192 · 2025 | 4.8%155th/192 · 2025 |
| Services % of GDP | 60.1%83rd/200 · 2025 | 70.0%35th/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $30.12 bn83rd/182 · 2025 | $38.38 bn75th/182 · 2024 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $35.49 bn75th/182 · 2025 | $34.02 bn77th/182 · 2024 |
| Exports % of GDP | 23.6%128th/183 · 2025 | 44.4%65th/183 · 2024 |
| Imports % of GDP | 27.9%144th/183 · 2025 | 39.3%104th/183 · 2024 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 51.5%140th/183 · 2025 | 83.7%88th/183 · 2024 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 0.6%127th/170 · 2025 | 0.9%123rd/170 · 2025 |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 54.0%66th/171 · 2025 | 12.6%126th/171 · 2025 |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 24.7%58th/171 · 2025 | 49.6%30th/171 · 2025 |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 2.5%96th/171 · 2025 | 32.6%16th/171 · 2025 |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 7.7%82nd/168 · 2024 | 1.8%135th/168 · 2024 |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -1.2%95th/191 · 2025 | -0.2%78th/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 3.9%55th/196 · 2025 | 1.0%139th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 2.1%94th/209 · 2021 | 3.7%83rd/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 0.00%100th/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 | 2.04%36th/209 · 2021 | 3.58%29th/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 0.03%135th/209 · 2021 | 0.09%116th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 21.7%50th/206 · 2024 | 6.7%122nd/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 2,092105th/183 · 2022 | 31,04019th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 2.7 m54th/194 · 2020 | 647,000113th/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $7.56 bn24th/175 · 2018 | $1.84 bn52nd/175 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 37.7%21st/168 · 2018 | 9.3%61st/168 · 2020 |
| Outbound trips departures | 210,00093rd/107 · 2020 | 401,00083rd/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 73.9116th/217 · 2024 | 79.855th/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 30.6140th/196 · 2024 | 15.3100th/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 2.4374th/174 · 2023 | 1.6390th/174 · 2022 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 0.8126th/145 · 2023 | 2.088th/145 · 2023 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 87%121st/193 · 2024 | 72%165th/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 61.6%99th/153 · 2024 | 64.7%92nd/153 · 2024 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 76.4%133rd/173 · 2024 | 76.6%2017 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 51.1%30th/55 · 2021 | 76.8%13th/55 · 2023 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 12.5%112th/217 · 2025 | 14.7%99th/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 4.6%134th/193 · 2023 | 8.3%56th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 94.0%43rd/98 · 2024 | 96.2%31st/98 · 2024 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 57.7%64th/150 · 2024 | 53.7%74th/150 · 2023 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.77689th/193 · 2023 | 0.83959th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 39.080th/108 · 2024 | 49.7104th/108 · 2024 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 0.8%43rd/108 · 2024 | 3.1%70th/108 · 2024 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 99.5%131st/215 · 2024 | 96.0%149th/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | 45.3%115th/150 · 2024 | — |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 43.0%95th/144 · 2024 | — |
| Internet users % of population | 91.0%51st/186 · 2024 | 72.8%118th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 94153rd/210 · 2024 | 15726th/210 · 2023 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 11.2115th/208 · 2024 | 18.192nd/208 · 2023 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 2.7071st/164 · 2022 | 3.3043rd/164 · 2022 |
| Rail lines route-km | — | 4852000 |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 996,23899th/161 · 2023 | 15.8 m41st/161 · 2023 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 2.99111th/203 · 2024 | 2.74107th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 14.8%124th/212 · 2021 | 28.0%84th/212 · 2021 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 13.569th/200 · 2023 | 15.184th/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 46.7%65th/214 · 2024 | 62.2%26th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 95492nd/149 · 2024 | 1,00290th/149 · 2024 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 53.2104th/205 · 2025 | 56.886th/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 48.291st/207 · 2025 | 36.8138th/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 56.6105th/207 · 2025 | 53.6116th/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 76.270th/207 · 2025 | 69.995th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 58.780th/205 · 2025 | 53.4105th/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 64.083rd/205 · 2025 | 66.572nd/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 10.9116th/145 · 2023 | 11.7121st/145 · 2023 |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $1.04 bn82nd/156 · 2025 | $0.00154th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 0.8%130th/156 · 2025 | 0.0%154th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 4.1%105th/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 | 1.48%42nd/168 · 2020 | 1.33%48th/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 13.0 m102nd/163 · 2025 | — |
| Arms exports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 065th/65 · 2022 | 1.0 m2019 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | — | 0.20%86th/110 · 2024 |
| Patent applications by residents applications | 11101st/137 · 2024 | 11101st/137 · 2024 |
| Scientific articles articles | 105139th/197 · 2023 | 282116th/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Dominican Republic or Panama?
Dominican Republic has the larger population: 11.5 m (2025) compared with 4.6 m for Panama (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Dominican Republic or Panama?
Dominican Republic is larger: 146,839 km² (2024) compared with 75,320 km² for Panama (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Dominican Republic or Panama?
Dominican Republic has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $330.88 bn intl. (2025) compared with $200.69 bn intl. for Panama (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Dominican Republic or Panama?
Panama has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $43,902 intl. (2025) compared with $28,721 intl. for Dominican Republic (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Dominican Republic or Panama?
Panama has the higher life expectancy at birth: 79.8 years (2024) compared with 73.9 years for Dominican Republic (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Dominican Republic or Panama?
Dominican Republic spends more on the military: $1.04 bn (2025) compared with $0.00 for Panama (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Dominican Republic or Panama?
Dominican Republic: 47.4 points (98th in the world); Panama: 45.5 points (106th). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Ecuador
Guatemala
Peru
Venezuela
Bolivia
Costa Rica
Puerto Rico (US)Sources
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). Dominican Republic vs Panama — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/dominican-republic-vs-panama. Data as of 26 October 2026.