Although Panama´s economy has recuperated fast and growth projections look promising, not everyone is able to gain from that prosperity. Poverty and inequality remain as important challenges, and about 25% of the population live under the national poverty line, disproportionally impacting women, Indigenous people and Afro-descendants.

Investing in targeted poverty reduction programmes like Red de Oportunidades and the Plan Colmena could lead to a decrease in poverty (Target 1.2), while at the same time reducing inequality (Target 10.1).

Spending efficiently in poverty reduction could also lead to closing the gap on several targets (3.5, 5.3, 5.5 and 16.6), which are priorities and where Panama is lagging in their achievement.

The country has made significant progress towards strengthening institutional and local capacities for the management of agricultural production systems, including through placing an important emphasis on family farming with a focus on gender, ethnicity and territory.

Investment in the provision of distribution channels and strengthening the value chain of agri-food products has the potential to contribute to poverty reduction, improve educational performance and expand livelihood generation networks for rural populations.

The adoption of measures linked to the agricultural sector makes it possible to promote, protect and develop productive schemes, such as those proposed in the State Agri-Food Policy to transform the economy of the agricultural sector and to incorporate it as an engine of territorial development.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Panama has resumed institutional and financial strengthening of the instances related to the provision of universal quality basic services, incorporating a socio-cultural diversity approach and linking information systems for decision-making on the response.  

Improving the management and allocation of financial resources dedicated to the prevention and care of the HIV and tuberculosis epidemic has the potential to accelerate the implementation of the country's commitments and to improve the quality of life of people living with these scourges. Integrated and culturally sensitive institutional management can strengthen strategies associated with health services, especially those linked to signal monitoring and early diagnosis.

Improvement in the results of this indicator is linked to the achievement of Targets 4.7, 6.1 and 8.6, areas where the country must strengthen its work.

The increase in the use of technological tools, digitalization and innovation in education and employment, forces the private sector to actively participate in the construction of capacities in young people for incorporation into employment.

The establishment of insertion pathways resulting from the transformation of the education system and the vocational training subsystem, which incorporates scientific and technological development, can favour the timely integration of the youth workforce into development opportunities.

Development investments in a vocational training system are linked to progress on Targets 5.5 and 8.4, where the country must try to fulfil the SDGs. .

Panama must address the problem of timely access to decent housing from a multidimensional perspective and be sensitive to the diversity of variables identified in the housing deficit, especially those that allow the differentiated analysis between men and women.

The main constraints on access to housing are linked to insufficient income and the scarce supply of good quality housing at low cost, aspects in which Panama has, however, invested resources in recent years.

Investments in this target have the potential to contribute to those linked to poverty reduction, improved health conditions in vulnerable populations and access to water and sanitation for all.

Panama has promoted the modernization of Panamanian public institutions through the implementation of results-oriented and evidence-based management approaches that strengthen the efficiency of public spending and promote sustainable and inclusive development, through articulated and transparent public policies.

The country must concentrate efforts in adapting public management practices, based on the involvement of citizens in the public policy management cycle through open government mechanisms, participatory territorial planning, and the strengthening of political governance.