Panama

Despite Panama’s positive economic growth in recent years, inequality and poverty persist in the country. Poverty particularly impacts the rural and indigenous populations, who struggle to make a living and lack access to basic services. Vulnerable groups such as children continue to suffer from poverty-related issues such as malnutrition, inadequate access to education and health care, abuse, and discrimination. Although programs have been initiated in recent years to deal with some of these problems, urgent action is required if poverty is to be significantly reduced.

Over the past decade Panama has had the fastest-growing economy in the Latin American region, with a gross domestic product (GDP) average of 8 percent measured from 2006 to 2012. Even during the financial crisis that began in 2007 Panama’s economy ...