Key Facts
—The split path. Panama’s industrial lobby, the SIP, says growth could reach 6% in 2027 if the Cobre copper mine reopens, but only 3.7% if it stays shut.
—The gap. That is a difference of roughly 40 percent between the two outcomes, turning on a single political decision.
—The base. Panama grew about 4% in 2025, led by services, with inflation near zero and unemployment around eight and a half percent.
—The fiscal prize. A restarted mine could add at least $500 million a year to state revenue, easing the deficit.
