Panama shows economic growth and improved maritime connectivity

Panama has demonstrated economic resilience and improved maritime standing through the first half of 2026. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the country rose to 24th place globally in the Liner Shipping Connectivity Index (LSCI) during the second quarter. This improvement follows 27 consecutive quarters at 26th place and is driven by a 1.9% growth in connectivity, partly due to significant declines in the rankings of other nations like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Complementing this maritime progress, Panama's economy grew by 4.9% from January to May 2026, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). This expansion was fueled by the logistics, trade, tourism, and construction sectors. Despite international pressures on oil prices, inflation remained controlled at 1.3%, aided by government subsidies. The economic momentum also contributed to a 19.1% increase in formal labor contracts during the same period.