世界银行-2024年巴拿马贫困与公平评估_从增长到繁荣（英）-2025_108页_15mb

Summary of Panama's Poverty and Equity Assessment 2024

Panama has achieved significant progress in poverty reduction and economic growth, with poverty rates decreasing from high levels in the past. However, the country remains one of the most unequal in the world, marked by geographic, ethnic, and gender disparities.

Key Findings

• Poverty Reduction: National poverty fell to 12.9% by 2023, primarily driven by economic growth averaging 5.7% annually between 1990 and 2023. Urban areas saw significant gains, while indigenous comarcas and rural regions lag behind.
• Inequality: Despite improvements, inequality persists, with a Gini coefficient ranking Panama among the highest in Latin America. Indigenous populations and those in territorial gaps face systemic disadvantages.

Policy Priorities

• Promote Territorial Equity: Enhance access to basic services and economic opportunities in comarcas through infrastructure investments and decentralized governance.
• Accumulate Human Capital: Improve education quality, reduce dropout rates, and strengthen health systems to boost labor productivity and equity.
• Build Household Resilience: Strengthen social protection programs and disaster risk management to address vulnerabilities from natural hazards.

Panama must address barriers such as limited income-generating capacities, low job quality, human capital deficits, and climate risks to achieve inclusive and sustainable prosperity.