Panama

In brief

Public spending on education, share of GDP: 2.5% (2023). World rank 159 of 184; in Americas, 38 of 41. Overweight adults: 71.6% (2022). World rank 175 of 196 (1 = best); in Americas, 31 of 38. Adults who use tobacco: 4.8% (2024). World rank 3 of 166 (1 = best); in Americas, 1 of 24. From 2014 to 2024: primary school enrolment 99.1% → 96.9%, children vaccinated against measles 90% → 93%, and infant deaths per 1,000 births 13.8 → 12. Better than all its neighbours (Colombia and Costa Rica): nurses and midwives per 1,000 people, hospital beds per 1,000 people, and adults who use tobacco. Worse than all its neighbours (Colombia and Costa Rica): doctors per 1,000 people, access to safe drinking water, access to basic sanitation, infant deaths per 1,000 births, and deaths under age 5 per 1,000 births.