Photo: Brian Gratwicke derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Panama: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Panama is placed 69th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 66.1 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 37.01 (2023).
Share
Development & Human Capital
69th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Panama on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
37.01
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Panama: 37.01. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Central America
- 24.12 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 59.38 · Costa Rica 24.12
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.839
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 59th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Panama: 0.839. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Central America
- 0.839 Panama
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 0.788 · Costa Rica 0.833
02Over time
Which way Panama is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
PanamaWorld median
Panama fell from 64.08 in 2000 to 37.01 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Panama World median 2023 37.01 46.7 2022 40.20 53.0 2021 59.23 76.6 2020 74.18 56.0 2019 40.73 48.4 2018 43.42 49.3 2017 46.61 47.2 2016 46.57 50.6 2015 48.08 51.9 2014 49.01 52.8 2013 51.85 53.3 2012 53.49 54.6 2011 54.78 55.0 2010 55.56 56.1 2009 55.30 56.3 2008 55.12 55.8 2007 55.41 56.8 2006 56.28 58.1 2005 56.78 60.1 2004 57.42 63.0 2003 58.40 66.8 2002 59.41 66.0 2001 61.57 68.1 2000 64.08 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
PanamaWorld median
Panama rose from 0.718 in 2000 to 0.839 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Panama World median 2023 0.839 0.7620 2022 0.835 0.7610 2021 0.819 0.7450 2020 0.808 0.7425 2019 0.824 0.7515 2018 0.820 0.7520 2017 0.815 0.7480 2016 0.810 0.7500 2015 0.803 0.7430 2014 0.798 0.7410 2013 0.799 0.7390 2012 0.798 0.7350 2011 0.781 0.7250 2010 0.775 0.7250 2009 0.770 0.7220 2008 0.767 0.7180 2007 0.763 0.7100 2006 0.753 0.7045 2005 0.746 0.6960 2004 0.741 0.6960 2003 0.735 0.6910 2002 0.730 0.6845 2001 0.723 0.6770 2000 0.718 0.6720
03In context
Panama beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Panama and the countries it borders
Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 69th | 66.1 | 37.01 | 0.839 |
 Costa Rica | 70th | 59.8 | 24.12 | 0.833 |
 Colombia | 94th | 58.3 | 59.38 | 0.788 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Panama in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Panama is ahead of the world, and behind
53 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median22
Statistics on which Panama does better than the middle country measured.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.470.00552.47No real change since 2016
Panama: 0.005 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.844.975.8No earlier reading
Panama: 44.9 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 85th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.1060.0068.106▼ Worsened since 2016
Panama: 0.006 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5461.0583.546No earlier reading
Panama: 1.058 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 146th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.498.4694.4▲ Improved since 2017
Panama: 98.46 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7576.723.75No earlier reading
Panama: 76.7 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6379.5974.63▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 79.59 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 55th of 222 · derived.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26537,51617,265▲ Improved since 2015
Panama: 37,516 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 52nd of 185 · derived.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9711.0140.971▼ Worsened since 2013
Panama: 1.014 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 51st of 184 · derived.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0724,4773,072▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 4,477 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 51st of 179 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,23074,11425,230▼ Worsened since 2010
Panama: 74,114 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 46th of 151 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6752.9346.67No real change since 2012
Panama: 52.93 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 195 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89023,55712,890▲ Improved since 2012
Panama: 23,557 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 54th of 166 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48693,35646,486▲ Improved since 2010
Panama: 93,356 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 49th of 150 · derived.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1345.2958.134No real change since 2014
Panama: 5.295 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 125th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93310.839.933▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 10.83 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 74th of 193 · derived.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.377.7369.3▲ Improved since 2016
Panama: 77.73 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 188 · derived.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.6640.609No real change since 2013
Panama: 0.664 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 70th of 169 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.961.545.9No earlier reading
Panama: 61.5 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1636.6298.163▼ Worsened since 2013
Panama: 6.629 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 116th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2611.9712.26▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 11.97 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 104th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour BenefitsWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 18.6520.4218.65No earlier reading
Panama: 20.42 · world median 18.65 · Benefits received as a share of beneficiaries' total income or consumption (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.455 to 90.86; higher is better.
Behind the world median28
Statistics on which Panama does worse than the middle country measured.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2524.2754.252No earlier reading
Panama: 4.275 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 78th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3413.3113.34No real change since 2013
Panama: 13.31 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 100th of 195 · derived.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.5415.2814.54▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 15.28 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 98th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.2110.2810.21▲ Improved since 2010
Panama: 10.28 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 77th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.938.343.9No earlier reading
Panama: 38.3 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.3740.351▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 0.374 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 94th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.0519.617.05▼ Worsened since 2013
Panama: 19.6 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 77th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8583.1462.858No real change since 2014
Panama: 3.146 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 91st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 13.815.8913.8No earlier reading
Panama: 15.89 · world median 13.8 · Children under 5 who are stunted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.518 to 52.8; lower is better.
Position 73rd of 162 · derived, 1st = worst.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.496.798.4No earlier reading
Panama: 96.7 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.13.122.1▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 3.12 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.861.580.8No earlier reading
Panama: 61.5 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 908790▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: 87 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8364.172.83▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 64.1 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 84th of 139 · derived.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.6430.678▼ Worsened since 2013
Panama: 0.643 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 94th of 156 · derived.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.8219.827.82▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 19.82 · world median 7.82 · Population below $8.30 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 93.58; lower is better.
Position 24th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prosperity GapWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.7542.5731.754▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 2.573 · world median 1.754 · Average factor incomes must rise by to reach $28 a day. World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.406 to 12.06; lower is better.
Position 24th of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.5020.564▲ Improved since 2010
Panama: 0.502 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 111th of 172 · derived.
Malaria Incidence (P. vivax)MAP · 2025 · world median 1.3823.2391.382▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: 3.239 · world median 1.382 · New P. vivax malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.001 to 184.62; lower is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10096100▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 96 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Child MarriageUNICEF · 2025 · world median 17.126.417.1No earlier reading
Panama: 26.4 · world median 17.1 · Women 20–24 married before 18 (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 76.3; lower is better.
Position 45th of 143 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.347.21.34▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 7.2 · world median 1.34 · Population below $4.20 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 72.3; lower is better.
Position 19th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10092.1100▲ Improved since 2014
Panama: 92.1 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.933.730.93No real change since 2013
Panama: 3.73 · world median 0.93 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 54.36; lower is better.
Position 15th of 58 · derived, 1st = worst.
Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.1850.50.185▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 0.5 · world median 0.185 · Squared poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (0–100). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 9.74; lower is better.
Poverty Gap at $3.00 a DayWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 0.3451.090.345No real change since 2013
Panama: 1.09 · world median 0.345 · Poverty gap at $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 19.95; lower is better.
Position 14th of 59 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 918091▲ Improved since 2015
Panama: 80 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7421.4640.74No earlier reading
Panama: 21.46 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 119th of 136 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Panama: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end2
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Net Official Development Assistance ReceivedOECD Development Assistance Committee · 2023 · world median 2.5790.5172.579Moved since 2013
Panama: 0.517 · world median 2.579 · Net ODA received (% of GNI). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -0.001 to 101.78.
Position 101st of 130 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.264.79611.26Moved since 2015
Panama: 4.796 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 117th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Panama
Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024) and Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Panama’s 16 topics
Development & Human Capital is Panama’s 6th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energyjoint 42nd of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security50th of 1773/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties60th of 1984/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability58th of 1863/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 61st of 1844/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital69th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation63rd of 1764/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade64th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality67th of 1834/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions83rd of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing87th of 2003/4 keys
- Digital & Technology100th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience141st of 1934/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 152nd of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 146th of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality130th of 1593/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Panama can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada=27th3/3 keysHighest in Central America
Panama69th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Panama and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Panama on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Panama rank on development & human capital?
Panama is placed 69th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Panama?
66.1 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Panama?
37.01 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How does Panama compare with Colombia on development & human capital?
Colombia is placed 94th of 196, and Panama 69th. Social Protection Coverage: Colombia 58.3, Panama 66.1; Maternal Mortality Ratio: Colombia 59.38, Panama 37.01; Human Development Index: Colombia 0.788, Panama 0.839.
How have Panama’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 64.08 in 2000 to 37.01 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.718 in 2000 to 0.839 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Panama?
No current reading is published for Panama on Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, GNI per Capita (PPP) and Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 53 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Panama’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Panama (banner) — Brian Gratwicke derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Panama: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/panama/development