Debit Card Ownership Statistics in Panama (2026)
In 2024, 49.4% of adults in Panama owned a debit card, according to World Bank Global Findex data. Up from 31.5% in 2021 to 49.4% in 2024 (+17.9 percentage points). Panama ranks #8 of 21 economies in Latin America & Caribbean on this measure, and #71 of 145 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 49.4% (2024)
- Debit Card Ownership in Panama as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- +17.9 pp (2024)
- Up from 31.5% in 2021 to 49.4% in 2024 (+17.9 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2011)
- 11.3% (2011)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 11.3% in 2011 to 49.4% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 49.4% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank Global Findex series for Panama.
- Rank in Latin America & Caribbean
- #8 of 21 (2024)
- Panama ranks 8 of 21 countries in Latin America & Caribbean with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #71 of 145 (2024)
- Panama ranks 71 of 145 countries with data globally.
- Latin America & Caribbean average
- 45.6% (2024)
- Panama (49.4%) is above the average of 45.6% across the 21 countries in Latin America & Caribbean with data.
- Among women (2024)
- 44.4% (2024)
- Value for women in Panama, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Among men (2024)
- 54.7% (2024)
- Value for men in Panama, same 2024 World Bank Global Findex data.
- Gender gap (women minus men)
- −10.2 pp (2024)
- In 2024, the figure was 44.4% for women and 54.7% for men — 10.2 percentage points lower among women.
- Internet use in Panama (2024)
- 72.8% (2024)
- 72.8% of the population in Panama used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 4.5 million (2024)
- Panama had a population of 4.5 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2011–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 49.4% | +17.9 pp |
| 2021 | 31.5% | +2.3 pp |
| 2017 | 29.3% | +3.9 pp |
| 2014 | 25.3% | +14.0 pp |
| 2011 | 11.3% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Panama owned a debit card?
49.4% of adults in Panama owned a debit card in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How does Panama compare with other countries in Latin America & Caribbean?
Panama ranks 8 of 21 countries in Latin America & Caribbean with data, with 49.4% versus a regional average of 45.6% (latest values per country).
Where does Panama rank globally on debit card ownership?
Panama ranks 71 of 145 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank Global Findex value for each country.
Is there a gender gap in debit card ownership in Panama?
Yes — in 2024 the figure was 44.4% for women and 54.7% for men, a gap of 10.2 percentage points in favor of men.
How recent is the debit card ownership data for Panama?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank Global Findex data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for Panama.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin2.t.d, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .