Gender equality, disability and social inclusion analysis in Latin America: Panama 2025

This research provides an up-to-date analysis of data on gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) in Panama, tracking key markers across political, economic, social and educational spheres.

Drawing on a broad range of methodologies including a literature review, data from statistical databases and key informant interviews, this research reveals the complex mix of gender and social inequalities in Panama, and highlights the remaining challenges to improve GEDSI outcomes.

Panama is a country of contrasts. While the economy is regarded as one of the most dynamic in Latin America (with close to 4% GDP growth per year), Panama remains one of the most unequal. There are deep disparities across income, ethnic, geographical, gender and age categories, with wide gaps in access to opportunities and resources. This uneven patchwork poses significant challenges to achieving a lasting and socially-just development.

In Panama there are clear geographical disparities. Inequalities affect specific regions, groups and populations, where equal access to basic social services, earning potential and infrastructure is not realised. Territorial and gendered inequalities are particularly marked, for example rural women disproportionately experience multidimensional poverty (64%), compared to urban women (23%). Indigenous people also experience poverty rates four times higher than non-indigenous groups, and maternal mortality is six times higher for indigenous women. Afro-descendant woman also experience persistent discrimination.

This ODI Report provides a wholistic analysis of the national landscape of inequality and exclusion, with specific recommendations for government, development partners and civil-society organisations working on GEDSI issues in Panama. Two country briefs synthesize the evidence on topics of particular relevance: bioeconomy, and new technologies and innovation.

Key messages

• Compared to the regional averages, Panama presents a mixed picture when analysing key GEDSI indicators. There are several ethnic, gender and geographic disparities across the spheres of health, education, poverty, development, economic empowerment and political representation, making up a complex panorama of exclusion and inequality.
• Underlying causes of inequality include historical marginalisation, inadequate policies and legislative gaps, limited public investment and the centralisation of resources, and cultural barriers.
• In a multi-ethnic country, composed of Mestizo, Indigenous and Afro-Panamanians, overcoming persistent discrimination remains a challenge.
• Although representing one-third of the population, Afro-descendant women with university degrees earn 11% less than their Mestizo peers and face higher levels of workplace discrimination.
• Women’s political participation is limited and unrepresentative with women only holding 23% of parliamentary seats (vs. 34% regional average), with just one indigenous and one Afro-descendant woman serving as deputies.
• Gender-based violence is widespread, with 16% of women reporting intimate partner violence in the past year, while femicides remain a concern (15 cases in 2023, rising to 23 in 2024), with Afro-descendant, indigenous and disabled women at heightened risk.