Quick facts
Panama population overview
Panama is the 12th most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 4,599,524 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.2% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 147 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 71,293 births (15.5 per 1,000 people) and 22,998 deaths (5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 5,519 people. The infant mortality rate is 9.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,126,005 in 1960 to 4,571,189 in 2025 — a change of +306%, or +2.2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 30.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 80.1 years; women have on average 2.1 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 24.5% of residents are under 15 and 9.7% are 65 or older (2025); 66.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Panama City. Panama covers 75,320 km², giving a population density of about 61.6 people per km². GDP was $90.46B in 2025 — about $19,790 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Panama population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 4,642,439 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 4,599,524 |
| World rank | #129 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #12 of 41 |
| Share of world population | 0.056% |
| Annual growth rate | +1.2% |
| Births per year est. | 71,293 |
| Deaths per year est. | 22,998 |
| Net migration per year est. | +5,519 |
| Birth rate | 15.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 9.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 100 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 30.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 80.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 2.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 66.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 75,320 km² |
| Population density | 61.6 per km² |
| Capital | Panama City |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $90.46B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $19,790 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Panama population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 4,642,439 | – | – |
| 2025 | 4,571,189 | +55,612 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | 4,515,577 | +56,818 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 4,458,759 | +57,986 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 4,400,773 | +55,368 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 4,345,405 | +52,144 | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 4,293,261 | +333,226 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 3,960,035 | +331,500 | +1.8% |
| 2010 | 3,628,535 | +315,509 | +1.8% |
| 2005 | 3,313,026 | +302,657 | +1.9% |
| 2000 | 3,010,369 | +285,812 | +2% |
| 1995 | 2,724,557 | +268,974 | +2.1% |
| 1990 | 2,455,583 | +254,668 | +2.2% |
| 1985 | 2,200,915 | +243,381 | +2.4% |
| 1980 | 1,957,534 | +225,145 | +2.5% |
| 1975 | 1,732,389 | +219,319 | +2.7% |
| 1970 | 1,513,070 | +204,235 | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 1,308,835 | +182,830 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 1,126,005 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Panama
Population over time
- From 1,126,005 in 1960 to 4,642,439 today — up 312.3%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.4% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 79.8 years (2024), up 19.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.1 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 15.9 births vs 4.9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 11 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 24.5% of the population is under 15 and 9.7% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 12.37 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 13.16 Mt in 2019 — down 6.1% since.
- Per person: 2.74 t in 2024, vs 1.72 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,020 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 69.4% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 28% of final energy in 2021 (-15 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 56.3% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 62% to 56.3% since 1990 — roughly 4,243 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 66.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 41.3% in 1960 (+24.9 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1981.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 31,040 m³ in 2022, down 73.6% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $90.46B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 62.2% since 2015.
- That works out to $19,790 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 8.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: -0.2% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 72.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 156.6 per 100 people (2023) — more subscriptions than people.
Panama in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Panama in 2026?
As of October 2026, Panama has an estimated population of 4,642,439. The United Nations estimated 4,599,524 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Panama growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.2% per year — roughly 147 more people every day. Each year there are about 71,293 births and 22,998 deaths, with net migration of +5,519.
What is the population density of Panama?
About 61.6 people per square kilometre: 4,642,439 people living on 75,320 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Panama?
The median age is 30.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 80.1 years. 24.5% of the population is under 15 and 9.7% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Panama rank by population?
Panama is the 129th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 12th in North America, with 0.056% of the global population.
How has the population of Panama changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,126,005; by 2025 it had grown to 4,571,189 (+306%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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IrelandSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.