General Information

The country is a major exporter of bananas, petroleum and shrimp, which represent 73% of its exports. Other important export items are: seafood, flowers and cocoa, accounting for 13% of export sales.

(Source: Central Bank, Trademap)

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) % of regional GDP GDP per head

USD 108,400

millions

2.1%

 

USD 6,376

 

Economic Statistics (years 2015 - forecast 2020)

National Accounts 2015 2016 2017 2018 f.2019 f.2020
             
GDP growth (%) 0.1% -1.2% 2.4% 1.4% -0.5% 0.2%
Nominal GDP (USD millions) 99,300 99,900 104,300 108,400 108,600 110,400
GDP per Head (USD) 6,092 6,055 6,208 6,376 6,277 6,309
Inflation (%) 4.0% 1.7% 0.4% -0.2% 0.2% 1.9%
Fiscal Balance (% GDP) -6.0% -7.3% -4.5% -1.2% -0.4% 2.4%
General Govt. gross debt (% GDP) 30.9% 35.6% 41.3% 42.6% 46.8% 45.5%
   

Trade Statistics

Foreign Trade - Composition        
           
Exports     Imports    
           
By countries     By countries  
US 30.6%   US   23.8%
Peru 7.5%   China   15.5%
China 6.9%   Colombia   8.3%
Chile 6.8%   Panama   7.4%
           
By products     By products  
Fuels and mining prod. 57.4%   Manufactures 66.2%
Agricultural products 34.5%   Fuels and mining prod. 24.4%
Manufactures 6.0%   Agricultural products 8.1%
   
Balance of Payments (USD millions) 2015 2016 2017 2018 f.2019 f.2020
             
Exports of Goods 19,050 17,425 19,619 22,123 21,895 22,113
Exports growth (%) -28.4% -8.5% 12.6% 12.8% -1.0% 1.0%
Imports of Goods 20,698 15,858 19,307 22,386 21,152 21,241
Imports growth (%) -22.4% -23.4% 21.7% 15.9% -5.5% 0.4%
Foreign Trade (% GDP) 40% 33% 37% 41% 40% 39%
             
Current Account Balance -2,224 1,324 -481 -1,359 0 10
% GDP -2.2% 1.3% -0.5% -1.3% 0.0% 0.0%
Foreign Direct Investment 1,323 767 618 1,401 1,200 1,200
% GDP 1.3% 0.8% 0.6% 1.3% 1.1% 1.1%
   

 

Disclaimer

This presentation has been prepared by Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior, S.A. (“BLADEX”) for information purposes only.

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