Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Panama

Panama: Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) was 8.61 in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
8.61
Change on year
up 28.9%
World rank
18th
of 78 countries
All-time high
18.55
in 2020
All-time low
4.32
in 1997
Years of data
8
1997–2024

Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Panama, 1997–2024

51015201997201020241997: 4.32003: 82008: 4.92018: 62020: 18.52021: 10.32023: 6.72024: 8.6

Source: International Labour Organization.

Analysis

In 2024, unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Panama stood at 8.61.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 28.9% on the previous year and up 44.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Panama peaked at 18.55 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 4.32, in 1997.

Panama ranks 18th of 78 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Panama, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) in Panama, 1997 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1997 4.32
2003 8.02 +85.5%
2008 4.87 -39.3%
2018 5.96 +22.4%
2020 18.55 +211.4%
2021 10.29 -44.5%
2023 6.68 -35.1%
2024 8.61 +28.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 4.32 4.32 4.32 1
2000s 6.44 4.87 8.02 2
2010s 5.96 5.96 5.96 1
2020s 11.03 6.68 18.55 4

Countries ranked near Panama

  1. 15 Chile 8.89 compare
  2. 16 Greece 8.84 compare
  3. 17 Sweden 8.74 compare
  4. 19 Albania 8.43 compare
  5. 20 Colombia 8.43 compare
  6. 21 Türkiye 8.35 compare

See the full ranking of 78 places →

More work & labour data for Panama

All data for Panama →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Panama?
Unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Panama was 8.61 in 2024, according to International Labour Organization.
What is the highest unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Panama?
The highest recorded value was 18.55 in 2020.
What is the lowest unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Panama?
The lowest recorded value was 4.32 in 1997.
How does Panama rank for unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
Panama ranks 18th out of 78 countries with data for 2024.
Is unemployment rate (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Panama?
Over the last ten years it is up 44.5%. 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 rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Panama. Statizoid, drawing on International Labour Organization. Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-rate-previous-ilo-definition-icls13-15/panama/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment rate (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+)
Source
International Labour Organization
Licence
ILO Terms of Use (attribution required)
Coverage
78 places, 1,367 data points, 1987–2025
Last refreshed

The unemployment rate conveys the number of persons who are unemployed as a percent of the labour force (i.e., the employed plus the unemployed). 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 International Labour Migration Statistics (ILMS) database description.