Unemployment (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Panama
Panama: Unemployment (current ILO definition - ICLS19) was 178.31 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Panama, 2014–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment (current ilo definition - icls19) in Panama stood at 178.31.
That represents a change of down 1.6% on the previous year and up 123.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment (current ilo definition - icls19) in Panama peaked at 371.57 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 78.84, in 2014.
Panama ranks 40th of 72 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Panama, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 78.84 | — |
| 2015 | 79.83 | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 90.12 | +12.9% |
| 2017 | 103.16 | +14.5% |
| 2018 | 104.78 | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 131.48 | +25.5% |
| 2020 | 371.57 | +182.6% |
| 2021 | 200.03 | -46.2% |
| 2022 | 177.55 | -11.2% |
| 2023 | 138.64 | -21.9% |
| 2024 | 181.15 | +30.7% |
| 2025 | 178.31 | -1.6% |
Panama compared with similar countries
- Panama's 178.31 is above the median for high income countries, which is 169.05, 1.1× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- Panama's 178.31 is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 115.24, 1.5× the median. (10 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 98.04 | 78.84 | 131.48 | 6 |
| 2020s | 207.87 | 138.64 | 371.57 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Panama
- 37 Georgia 206.25 compare
- 38 United Arab Emirates 185.18 compare
- 39 Armenia 182.04 compare
- 41 Bosnia and Herzegovina 173.47 compare
- 42 New Zealand 159.8 compare
- 43 Costa Rica 151.04 compare
More work & labour data for Panama
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.192 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1956 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1888 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.03 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.09 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 4,652 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,175 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 2,950 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 2,955 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 5,905 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment (current ilo definition - icls19) in Panama?
- Unemployment (current ilo definition - icls19) in Panama was 178.31 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment (current ilo definition - icls19) recorded in Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 371.57 in 2020.
- What is the lowest unemployment (current ilo definition - icls19) recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 78.84 in 2014.
- How does Panama rank for unemployment (current ilo definition - icls19)?
- Panama ranks 40th out of 72 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment (current ilo definition - icls19) rising or falling in Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is up 123.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment (current ILO definition - ICLS19) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series includes only countries for which the 19th ICLS definitions are applied. The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. For more information, refer to the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database description.