Citi Lifts Panama Growth Forecast to 4.4% as Canal Reroutes Pay Off

Key Facts

—The upgrade. Citi lifted its 2026 growth call for Panama to 4.4 percent, up from 4.1 percent, its regional research team told La Prensa.

—The driver. The bank credits the Panama Canal, which it says gained from ships rerouting around the Middle East conflict.

—The hard data. Panama’s economy grew 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2026, worth about $22.55 billion, the national statistics office reported.

—The rating. Panama holds a BBB- and Baa3 investment grade at S&P and Moody’s, and the government says keeping it is a priority.