## Panama: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report for Panama

_IMF Staff Country Reports, May 4, 2017_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Panama: 2017 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report for Panama](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/05/04/panama-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-for-panama-44875)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/05/04/panama-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-for-panama-44875/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/05/04/panama-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-for-panama-44875/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/05/04/panama-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-for-panama-44875/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Published: May 4, 2017
- Series: IMF Staff Country Reports
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781475597714.002

---

### Macroeconomic performance
- Panama’s economy is described as the fastest growing in Latin America over the past two decades.
- Economic growth moderated to 4.9 percent in 2016 in the face of external headwinds.
- The outlook is characterized as favorable despite heightened external uncertainty.

### Price and labor indicators
- Inflation is described as stable and low, but has risen slightly.
- Unemployment is described as subdued, but has risen slightly.

### Public finances and debt
- Fiscal consolidation continues in line with fiscal rule targets.
- Public debt is assessed as sustainable.

### External sector
- The current account deficit is described as declining.

### Financial sector and credit
- The financial sector is characterized as stable.
- Credit growth remains strong, but has begun to slow recently.

### Policy themes and subject areas covered
- Anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT)
- Banking and commercial banks
- Crime and financial institutions
- Financial regulation and supervision
- Public debt and revenue administration
- Other referenced topics: authority, Central America, CR, deficit, disaster risk management program, financing, Fondo de Ahorro, Global, IMF staff estimate, ISCR, Medium-term growth prospect, NFPS deficit, Panama energy diagnostic

---

## Content in this bundle

- **Country Report**
  - [Country Report (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2017/cr-17105.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Country Report (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/cr/2017/cr-17105.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

---

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2017/05/04/panama-2017-article-iv-consultation-press-release-and-staff-report-for-panama-44875_