Photo: Brian Gratwicke derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 01 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Panama: Governance & Institutions
How well is the state actually run?
Panama is placed 83rd of 194 countries on governance & institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Government Effectiveness 0.217 (2025); Statistical Performance Indicators 77.73 (2024).
Share
Governance & Institutions
83rd
of 194 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.217Government Effectiveness, 2025Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
- 77.73Statistical Performance Indicators, 2024SPI overall score (0–100)
- 33Corruption Perceptions Index, 2025CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
- 0.694Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index, 2025Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Panama on governance & institutions — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
0.217
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)
Higher is better
Panama: 0.217. Across the 209 countries in this edition, values run from -2.251 (South Sudan) to 2.092 (Singapore); the world median is 0.101.
- World median
- 0.101
- Best in Central America
- 0.411 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Colombia -0.093 · Costa Rica 0.411
Key 2 of 4
Statistical Performance Indicators
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
77.73
SPI overall score (0–100)
Higher is better
Panama: 77.73. Across the 188 countries in this edition, values run from 27.12 (South Sudan) to 94.14 (Norway); the world median is 69.3.
- World median
- 69.3
- Best in Central America
- 90.98 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 83.44 · Costa Rica 90.98
Key 3 of 4
Corruption Perceptions Index
Transparency International
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
33
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean)
Higher is better
Ranked 116th of 181 by Transparency International
Panama: 33. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 9 (Somalia) to 89 (Denmark); the world median is 39.
- World median
- 39
- Best in Central America
- 56 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 37 · Costa Rica 56
Key 4 of 4
Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
0.694
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1)
Higher is better
Panama: 0.694. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from 0.003 (Nicaragua) to 0.988 (Australia); the world median is 0.676.
- World median
- 0.676
- Best in Central America
- 0.954 Guatemala
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 0.846 · Costa Rica 0.95
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.
Government Effectiveness
Governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) · higher is better
PanamaWorld median
Panama rose from -0.115 in 2000 to 0.217 in 2025; the world median went from -0.397 to 0.101.
Every year’s figures
Year Panama World median 2025 0.2168 0.1006 2024 0.2505 0.0098 2023 0.1211 -0.0408 2022 0.1929 -0.0305 2021 0.3560 -0.0158 2020 0.4063 -0.0171 2019 0.5022 0.0150 2018 0.3565 0.0159 2017 0.4129 0.0158 2016 0.4406 0.0225 2015 0.3715 0.0038 2014 0.3356 0.0194 2013 0.3194 -0.0758 2012 0.3352 -0.0839 2011 0.2494 -0.1221 2010 0.2657 -0.1145 2009 0.2581 -0.1609 2008 0.1980 -0.2134 2007 0.0063 -0.3260 2006 -0.0829 -0.3310 2005 -0.1445 -0.3706 2004 -0.1662 -0.3140 2003 -0.2948 -0.4369 2002 -0.2609 -0.3366 2000 -0.1149 -0.3969 Statistical Performance Indicators
SPI overall score (0–100) · higher is better
PanamaWorld median
Panama rose from 54.93 in 2016 to 77.73 in 2024; the world median went from 56.25 to 69.3.
Every year’s figures
Year Panama World median 2024 78 69.30 2023 76 68.86 2022 73 67.99 2021 72 69.96 2020 68 62.91 2019 65 61.19 2018 63 61.17 2017 58 59.55 2016 55 56.25 Corruption Perceptions Index
CPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) · higher is better
PanamaWorld median
Panama fell from 38 in 2012 to 33 in 2025; the world median went from 37 to 39.
Every year’s figures
Year Panama World median 2025 33 39.0 2024 33 40.0 2023 35 40.0 2022 36 39.5 2021 36 39.0 2020 35 40.0 2019 36 39.5 2018 37 38.0 2017 37 38.5 2016 38 38.0 2015 39 37.0 2014 37 38.0 2013 35 38.0 2012 38 37.0 Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index
Judicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) · higher is better
PanamaWorld median
Panama rose from 0.642 in 2000 to 0.694 in 2025; the world median went from 0.647 to 0.676.
Every year’s figures
Year Panama World median 2025 0.69 0.6760 2024 0.69 0.6645 2023 0.66 0.6590 2022 0.62 0.6600 2021 0.58 0.6580 2020 0.60 0.6645 2019 0.55 0.6560 2018 0.55 0.6485 2017 0.55 0.6550 2016 0.49 0.6520 2015 0.49 0.6700 2014 0.49 0.6515 2013 0.49 0.6550 2012 0.57 0.6750 2011 0.57 0.6680 2010 0.57 0.6640 2009 0.57 0.6580 2008 0.57 0.6590 2007 0.57 0.6630 2006 0.57 0.6590 2005 0.57 0.6580 2004 0.64 0.6480 2003 0.64 0.6480 2002 0.64 0.6470 2001 0.64 0.6530 2000 0.64 0.6465
03In context
Panama beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 194 countries on governance & institutions, never a place within the region.
Panama and the countries it borders
Standing among all 194; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Government EffectivenessGovernance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong) | Statistical Performance IndicatorsSPI overall score (0–100) | Corruption Perceptions IndexCPI score (0–100, where 100 is very clean) | Judicial Constraints on the Executive IndexJudicial constraints on the executive index (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Costa Rica | 32nd | 0.411 | 90.98 | 56 | 0.95 |
 Colombia | 67th | -0.093 | 83.44 | 37 | 0.846 |
| Panama | 83rd | 0.217 | 77.73 | 33 | 0.694 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 194.
Placed either side on governance & institutions
The countries immediately above and below Panama in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Panama is ahead of the world, and behind
38 more statistics filed under governance & institutions, 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 median16
Statistics on which Panama does better than the middle country measured.
Firms Expecting to Make Informal Payments to Public OfficialsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.4030.1626.403No earlier reading
Panama: 0.162 · world median 6.403 · Firms saying firms like theirs pay officials informally to get things done (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 55.03; lower is better.
Position 173rd of 178 · derived, 1st = worst.
Rigorous and Impartial Public AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3332.030.333▲ Improved since 2015
Panama: 2.03 · world median 0.333 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +4.0); higher = a more rigorous and impartial administration. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.552 to 3.99; higher is better.
Position 25th of 176 · derived.
Agriculture Orientation IndexFAO · 2024 · world median 0.3050.880.305▲ Improved since 2014
Panama: 0.88 · world median 0.305 · Agriculture orientation index (1.0 = spending matches sector size). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.03 to 5.38; higher is better.
Position 20th of 132 · derived.
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.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6826.3216.68No earlier reading
Panama: 26.32 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 34th of 139 · derived.
Liberal Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3530.5750.353▲ Improved since 2015
Panama: 0.575 · world median 0.353 · Liberal democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.009 to 0.884; higher is better.
Position 49th of 176 · derived.
Civic Space RatingsCIVICUS · 2025 · world median 50.4673.250.46No earlier reading
Panama: 73.2 · world median 50.46 · Civic space score (0–100). CIVICUS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.17 to 100; higher is better.
Position 56th of 198 · derived.
V-Dem Electoral Democracy IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4970.7280.497▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: 0.728 · world median 0.497 · Electoral democracy index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.016 to 0.913; higher is better.
Position 50th of 176 · derived.
Voice and AccountabilityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0220.478-0.022No real change since 2015
Panama: 0.478 · world median -0.022 · Voice and Accountability estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.348 to 1.825; higher is better.
Position 72nd of 206 · derived.
Social Protection CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 52.166.152.1No earlier reading
Panama: 66.1 · world median 52.1 · Population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
GovTech Maturity IndexWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 0.630.7620.63▼ Worsened since 2022
Panama: 0.762 · world median 0.63 · GTMI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.01 to 0.997; higher is better.
Position 78th of 196 · derived.
Open Data InventoryOpen Data Watch · 2024 · world median 596259▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: 62 · world median 59 · ODIN overall score (0–100). Open Data Watch, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 19 to 90; higher is better.
Ranked 68th of 168 by Open Data Watch.
Neopatrimonial Rule IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.4450.3630.445▲ Improved since 2015
Panama: 0.363 · world median 0.445 · Neopatrimonial rule index (0–1; higher = more personalised rule). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.008 to 0.989; lower is better.
Position 103rd of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Meritocratic Appointment in the State AdministrationV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.3090.4180.309▲ Improved since 2015
Panama: 0.418 · world median 0.309 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.6); higher = more appointments on merit. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.442 to 3.584; higher is better.
Position 81st of 176 · derived.
Political Corruption IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.5180.4850.518▲ Improved since 2015
Panama: 0.485 · world median 0.518 · Political corruption index (0–1; higher = more corrupt). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.004 to 0.968; lower is better.
Position 91st of 176 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median17
Statistics on which Panama does worse than the middle country measured.
State Fiscal Source of RevenueV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.1791.1691.179▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: 1.169 · world median 1.179 · Original latent estimate (≈ −2.9 to +3.1); higher = broader taxation. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -1.716 to 3.135; higher is better.
Position 90th of 176 · derived.
Bribery IncidenceWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 7.2697.5667.269No earlier reading
Panama: 7.566 · world median 7.269 · Firms asked for a bribe at least once in six dealings with officials (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 64.26; lower is better.
Position 89th of 175 · derived, 1st = worst.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.121-0.093▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: -0.121 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 108th of 209 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1939.340.19▼ Worsened since 2020
Panama: 39.3 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 102nd of 195 by Oxford Insights.
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.
State Capacity IndexJonathan K. Hanson (University of Michigan) and Rachel Sigman (Naval Postgraduate School) · 2015 · world median 0.4870.4130.487▲ Improved since 2005
Panama: 0.413 · world median 0.487 · Latent estimate of state capacity (≈ −2.3 to +3.0, centred near 0); higher = a more capable state. Jonathan K. Hanson (University of Michigan) and Rachel Sigman (Naval Postgraduate School), 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.697; higher is better.
Position 88th of 166 · derived.
Climate Readiness (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.3870.3780.387▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 0.378 · world median 0.387 · ND-GAIN Readiness (0–1, where 1 is the most ready). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.137 to 0.749; higher is better.
Ranked 106th of 192 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.540.575No earlier reading
Panama: 0.54 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
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.
Rule of LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.102-0.303-0.102▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: -0.303 · world median -0.102 · Rule of Law estimate (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.199 to 2.012; higher is better.
Position 120th of 211 · derived.
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.
Women, Business and the LawWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 81.2579.3881.25▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: 79.38 · world median 81.25 · WBL Index (0–100, where 100 is full legal parity). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.125 to 100; higher is better.
Position 110th of 190 · derived.
Equal Protection IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6510.5480.651No real change since 2015
Panama: 0.548 · world median 0.651 · Equal protection index (0–1); higher = rights and freedoms protected more equally across social groups and classes. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.027 to 0.986; higher is better.
Position 111th of 176 · derived.
Control of CorruptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.197-0.557-0.197▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: -0.557 · world median -0.197 · Control of Corruption (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.096 to 2.259; higher is better.
Position 142nd of 211 · derived.
State Authority over TerritoryV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 95.390.2595.3▲ Improved since 2015
Panama: 90.25 · world median 95.3 · Territory under effective state control (% of official territory). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 47.56 to 100; higher is better.
Government Spending on EducationUIS · 2023 · world median 3.7092.4723.709▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 2.472 · world median 3.709 · Government expenditure on education (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 16.39; higher is better.
Position 99th of 123 · derived.
Government Funding per Primary StudentUIS · 2022 · world median 17.8110.217.81▲ Improved since 2014
Panama: 10.2 · world median 17.81 · Government funding per primary student (% of GDP per capita). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 3.771 to 34.57; higher is better.
Position 58th of 68 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Global Indicators of Regulatory Governance ScoreWorld Bank Group · 2018 · world median 2.252.252.25No earlier reading
Panama: 2.25 · world median 2.25 · Regulatory governance score (0–5, where 5 is the most transparent rule-making). World Bank Group, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; higher is better.
No better end4
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0117.9815.01No earlier reading
Panama: 17.98 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 57th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector Wage BillWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 7.9757.5067.975Moved since 2012
Panama: 7.506 · world median 7.975 · Public sector wage bill (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0.977 to 42.65.
Position 93rd of 168 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Senior Management Time Spent on Government RegulationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 6.7953.3516.795No earlier reading
Panama: 3.351 · world median 6.795 · Senior management time spent dealing with government regulation (% of a typical week). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 31.33.
Central Bank Independence IndexAna Carolina Garriga, University of Essex · 2023 · world median 0.6080.2540.608No real change since 2013
Panama: 0.254 · world median 0.608 · CBI index (0–1, where 1 is the most statutory independence). Ana Carolina Garriga, University of Essex, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 0.974.
No current reading for Panama
Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI) and General Government Consumption (last 2024). 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
Governance & Institutions among Panama’s 16 topics
Governance & Institutions is Panama’s 10th 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 governance & institutions
The three countries placed highest of 194, and the leaders Panama can most readily be measured against.
1
DenmarkNorthern Europe
1st of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
New ZealandAustralia and New Zealand
2nd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Karora derivative work: Inkey · Public domain, greyscale
3
SwedenNorthern Europe
3rd of 194 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Pieter Kuiper · Public domain, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada8th4/4 keysHighest in Central America
Costa Rica32nd4/4 keysThis page
Panama83rd4/4 keys
Positions out of 194 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 governance & institutions
08Questions
Panama on governance & institutions: 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 governance & institutions?
Panama is placed 83rd of 194 countries on Governance & Institutions in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Government Effectiveness, Statistical Performance Indicators, Corruption Perceptions Index and Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Government Effectiveness figure for Panama?
0.217 in 2025 (governance estimate (−2.5 weak to 2.5 strong)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.101.
What is the latest Statistical Performance Indicators figure for Panama?
77.73 in 2024 (sPI overall score (0–100)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 69.3.
How does Panama compare with Colombia on governance & institutions?
Colombia is placed 67th of 194, and Panama 83rd. Government Effectiveness: Colombia -0.093, Panama 0.217; Statistical Performance Indicators: Colombia 83.44, Panama 77.73; Corruption Perceptions Index: Colombia 37, Panama 33; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index: Colombia 0.846, Panama 0.694.
How have Panama’s governance & institutions figures changed?
Government Effectiveness rose from -0.115 in 2000 to 0.217 in 2025; Statistical Performance Indicators rose from 54.93 in 2016 to 77.73 in 2024; Corruption Perceptions Index fell from 38 in 2012 to 33 in 2025; Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index rose from 0.642 in 2000 to 0.694 in 2025.
Which governance & institutions statistics are missing for Panama?
No current reading is published for Panama on Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI) and General Government Consumption. 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
Governance is not democracy. Free elections, civil liberties and press freedom belong to the Democracy & Civil Liberties topic, and a country can place well on one and poorly on the other. How openly official data is published sits here as context, beside the statistical capacity that is a key. Nor does this topic measure the size of government or how much it spends — the share of the economy run by the state is published on this page as context, with no better end.
How the Governance & Institutions standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.
The governance & institutions method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Government Effectiveness — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Statistical Performance Indicators — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Corruption Perceptions Index — Transparency International, CC BY 4.0 (the data), CC BY-ND 4.0 (the website and report)
- Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 38 statistics on this page come from 13 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
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- New Zealand — Karora derivative work: Inkey, Public domain
- Sweden — User:Pieter Kuiper, Public domain
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Panama: Governance & Institutions — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/panama/governance