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Panama · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

139th of 185 · 23rd in Latin America
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UnemploymentPanama's unemployment rose from 6.7 % in 1996 to 8.4 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%15%20%8.4 %

Panama's unemployment rose from 6.7 % in 1996 to 8.4 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

135th of 183 · 22nd in Latin America
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Youth unemploymentPanama's youth unemployment rose from 14.0 % in 1996 to 19.8 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%10%20%30%19.8 %

Panama's youth unemployment rose from 14.0 % in 1996 to 19.8 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

50th of 182 · 8th in Latin America
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ParticipationPanama's participation rose from 61.5 % in 1996 to 66.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%62%64%66%68%70%66.3 %

Panama's participation rose from 61.5 % in 1996 to 66.3 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

82nd of 182 · 11th in Latin America
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Panama's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 41.9 % in 1996 to 54.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202540%45%50%55%60%54.9 %

Panama's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 41.9 % in 1996 to 54.9 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

66th of 182 · 10th in Latin America
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Panama's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 57.3 % in 1996 to 60.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202554%56%58%60%62%64%66%60.8 %

Panama's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 57.3 % in 1996 to 60.8 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

120th of 182 · 19th in Latin America
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Labour force, totalPanama's labour force, total rose from 1.13M in 1996 to 2.29M in 2025.2000200520102015202020251M1.5M2M2.29M

Panama's labour force, total rose from 1.13M in 1996 to 2.29M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

75th of 182 · 10th in Latin America
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Panama's self-employed (% of total employment) rose from 36.5 % in 1996 to 40.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202525%30%35%40%45%50%40.6 %

Panama's self-employed (% of total employment) rose from 36.5 % in 1996 to 40.6 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

113th of 182 · 24th in Latin America
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Panama's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 33.4 % in 1996 to 37.9 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202525%30%35%40%45%37.9 %

Panama's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 33.4 % in 1996 to 37.9 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

87th of 182 · 9th in Latin America
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Panama's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 22.1 % in 1996 to 16.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202512%14%16%18%20%22%24%16.0 %

Panama's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 22.1 % in 1996 to 16.0 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

114th of 182 · 19th in Latin America
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Panama's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 17.4 % in 1996 to 17.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202515%16%17%18%19%20%17.0 %

Panama's employment in industry (% of total employment) fell from 17.4 % in 1996 to 17.0 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

71st of 182 · 18th in Latin America
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Panama's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 60.5 % in 1996 to 67.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%62%64%66%68%70%67.0 %

Panama's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 60.5 % in 1996 to 67.0 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

49th of 168 · 3rd in Latin America
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Panama's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $32.5k in 1996 to intl $81.8k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $20kintl $40kintl $60kintl $80kintl $81.8k

Panama's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $32.5k in 1996 to intl $81.8k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Panama.

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