Plastic waste exports in Panama
Panama: Plastic waste exports was 4,563 tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Panama, 1995–2024
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Panama recorded 4,563 tonnes for plastic waste exports in 2024.
That represents a change of down 17.8% on the previous year and down 27.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Panama peaked at 7,041 tonnes in 2021 and was at its lowest, 291.58 tonnes, in 1995.
Panama ranks 64th of 167 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Plastic waste exports in Panama, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 291.58 tonnes | — |
| 1996 | 552.8 tonnes | +89.6% |
| 1997 | 477.06 tonnes | -13.7% |
| 1998 | 1,434 tonnes | +200.6% |
| 1999 | 1,331 tonnes | -7.2% |
| 2000 | 2,619 tonnes | +96.7% |
| 2001 | 2,586 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 2002 | 1,730 tonnes | -33.1% |
| 2003 | 1,920 tonnes | +11.0% |
| 2004 | 2,166 tonnes | +12.8% |
| 2005 | 4,310 tonnes | +98.9% |
| 2006 | 5,275 tonnes | +22.4% |
| 2007 | 6,537 tonnes | +23.9% |
| 2008 | 3,555 tonnes | -45.6% |
| 2009 | 3,047 tonnes | -14.3% |
| 2010 | 4,431 tonnes | +45.4% |
| 2011 | 3,691 tonnes | -16.7% |
| 2012 | 5,459 tonnes | +47.9% |
| 2013 | 5,731 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 2014 | 6,284 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 2015 | 4,817 tonnes | -23.3% |
| 2016 | 5,621 tonnes | +16.7% |
| 2017 | 6,736 tonnes | +19.8% |
| 2018 | 4,793 tonnes | -28.8% |
| 2019 | 2,211 tonnes | -53.9% |
| 2020 | 3,317 tonnes | +50.0% |
| 2021 | 7,041 tonnes | +112.3% |
| 2022 | 4,184 tonnes | -40.6% |
| 2023 | 5,554 tonnes | +32.8% |
| 2024 | 4,563 tonnes | -17.8% |
Panama compared with similar countries
- Panama's 4,563 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 4,588 tonnes, 99% of the median. (64 countries reporting)
- Panama's 4,563 tonnes is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 1,293 tonnes, 3.5× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 817.36 tonnes | 291.58 tonnes | 1,434 tonnes | 5 |
| 2000s | 3,374 tonnes | 1,730 tonnes | 6,537 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,977 tonnes | 2,211 tonnes | 6,736 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,932 tonnes | 3,317 tonnes | 7,041 tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Panama
More environment data for Panama
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 5.66 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 7.64 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.274 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 1.86 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -1.41 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.2493 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Panama?
- Plastic waste exports in Panama was 4,563 tonnes in 2024, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 7,041 tonnes in 2021.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 291.58 tonnes in 1995.
- How does Panama rank for plastic waste exports?
- Panama ranks 64th out of 167 countries with data for 2024.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is down 27.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.