Panama
Republic of Panama
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +1.26%
Situated in Central America, Panama has a population of approximately 4.06 million—a modestly sized nation in population terms. The country extends across 75,417 km², translating to a density of 54 people per km². Its capital is Panama City, and Spanish is the official language, while the Panamanian balboa serves as the national currency.
Population
4,064,780
Area
75,417 km²
Density
54/km²
World Rank
#129
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 16 per thousand against deaths at 4.8 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 24.9% of residents under 15 and 9.3% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Panama City
- Region
- Americas
- Subregion
- Central America
- Continent
- North America
- Languages
- Spanish
- Currencies
- Panamanian balboa (B/.), United States dollar ($)
- Calling Code
- +507
- Top-Level Domain
- .pa
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC-05:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 4,064,780
- Land Area
- 75,417 km²
- Population Density
- 54 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +1.26%
- Annual Growth
- +51,216 people
- Daily Growth
- +140 people
- World Population Share
- 0.05%
- Coordinates
- 9.00°, -80.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
With a GDP per capita of roughly $19.2k, Panama sits comfortably in the high-income bracket by World Bank standards. Unemployment sits at 8.4%, above the global average of 5.8%. A Gini index of 49.7 signals substantial income inequality, suggesting that economic gains are concentrated among a smaller share of the population.
Life Expectancy
79.6 years
GDP per Capita
$19,161
Birth Rate
16.0 per 1,000
Death Rate
4.8 per 1,000
Urban Population
66.0%
Fertility Rate
2.12 births/woman
Infant Mortality
10.6 per 1,000
Unemployment
8.4%
Literacy Rate
96.3%
Internet Users
68.5%
Under 15
24.9%
Over 65
9.3%
Health Spending
8.3% GDP
Gini Index
49.7
Age Distribution
0-14 years
1.0M
15-64 years
2.7M
65+ years
380K
Urbanization
Urbanization is well advanced, with roughly 66% of the population residing in towns and cities, above the global mean of 56%. Panama City serves as the administrative heart of the country and concentrates much of its commercial and civic life. Net inward migration of 6151.0 per thousand is contributing to urban growth and reshaping community demographics.
2.7M
66.0%
1.4M
34.0%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 79.6 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 10.6 per thousand live births, significantly higher than the global average. The literacy rate of 96.3% is roughly in line with the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Panama
Panama has 3 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Panama is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. As a United Nations member state, Panama participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 4,064,780 |
| 2030 | 4,267,900 |
| 2035 | 4,523,934 |
| 2040 | 4,782,886 |
| 2045 | 5,045,387 |
| 2050 | 5,312,099 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Panama.
Largest Cities in Panama
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Panama by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Panama?
The population of Panama is approximately 4.1 million as of 2026, making it #129 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Panama?
The capital of Panama is Panama City.
What languages are spoken in Panama?
The main languages spoken in Panama are Spanish.
How big is Panama?
Panama covers an area of 75,417 km² with a population density of 54 people per km².
Is Panama growing or shrinking?
Panama is growing at a rate of 1.26% per year, adding approximately 51,216 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Panama?
The average life expectancy in Panama is 79.6 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Panama?
The GDP per capita of Panama is $19,161.