Panama
Panama’s education financing indicators show moderate public commitment with continuing gaps relative to international benchmarks. In 2023, the country allocated 3.94% of GDP to public education, below the 6% global target and the regional average. Education represented 15.73% of the national budget, below the 20% benchmark but slightly above the regional average. Public spending per school-age person was USD 2,424.53 (2022), which, although higher than in several countries in the region, remains below the regional average.
Attendance indicators reveal near gender parity and comparatively smaller wealth-based disparities, though inequalities persist.
Check out the international comparative figures below, and, in addition, our members’ brief featuring national-level analysis, insights, and policy recommendations.
Read the complete analysis from our member
Public expenditure on education as a % of GDP
Public financial effort assesses the share of GDP and the national budget allocated to education. International benchmarks recommend 4–6% of GDP and 15–20% of total government spending.
In Panama, the most recent data (2023) indicates that public education expenditure accounted for 3.94% of GDP, below both benchmarks and the regional average. Education spending as a share of the national budget reached 15.73%, below the 20% target but slightly above the regional average.
Public expenditure on education as a % of total public expenditure
Public spending per school-age person
Public spending per school-age person amounted to USD 2,424.53 in 2022. While this is comparatively higher than in many countries in the region, it remains below the regional average, highlighting persistent challenges in resource allocation.
Equity indicators help assess disparities in access across gender and wealth groups.
The gender ratio was 0.96 in 2022, slightly below the regional average, indicating near gender parity with boys and girls attending school in almost equal proportions.
The wealth parity index was 1.24 in 2022, suggesting that children from wealthier households were about 1.2 times more likely to attend school than those from the poorest households. This inequality level is below the regional average, pointing to smaller wealth-based disparities compared to many neighboring countries.
Gender ratio on school attendance
Ratio between the poorest and richest quintiles on school attendance
IN-DEPTH REPORT
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POLICY BRIEF
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