The Panamanian economy remains bright because of its strong side, logistics, however as it stands today household consumption is not growing, mainly affected by a cumulative inflation of 38% in the last ten years.

There has been a notable increase in the prices of fundamental items in the family basket, such as housing, food, and education, which causes retraction in the acquisition of other goods and services. “ …The Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic revealed that in the second quarter of the year, retail trade fell by 1%, due to lower sales of automobiles, household goods and equipment, and pharmaceuticals, among other things.  In particular, car sales up until August fell by 13% compared to the previous year. ”

Meanwhile, the big numbers in the economy indicate that Panama is still growing at annual rates of between 5 and 5.5%, not as significant as those of previous years, which were around 10%, but still excellent at the global level. “… the sectors that are driving growth are those linked to the exterior, such as the Panama Canal, which has completed its first year since the start of operations of the expansion, taking a leap forward in tonnage, transit and revenue. At the close of its fiscal year, on September 30, the Canal reported a record high of 403.8 million tons, 22.2% more than the previous year.  The increase in activity is also reflected in ports, which moved 57.4 million tons between January and August, 15.5% more than in the previous year. ”

See A two-speed economy (in Spanish).