Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Panama
Panama: Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government was 16.3% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Panama, 1981–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in UIS calculation.
Analysis
The most recent figure for expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Panama is 16.3%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 41.7% on the previous year and up 22.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Panama peaked at 19.8% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1981.
Panama ranks 45th of 197 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Panama, year by year
| Year | UIS calculation | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 0.0% | — |
| 1982 | 0.0% | — |
| 1983 | 0.0% | — |
| 1984 | 0.0% | — |
| 1985 | 0.0% | — |
| 1986 | 0.0% | — |
| 1987 | 0.0% | — |
| 1994 | 0.0% | — |
| 1995 | 17.4% | — |
| 1996 | 17.7% | +1.5% |
| 1997 | 16.5% | -6.7% |
| 1999 | 18.8% | +14.3% |
| 2000 | 19.8% | +5.2% |
| 2001 | 16.6% | -16.1% |
| 2002 | 17.0% | +1.9% |
| 2003 | 16.3% | -3.6% |
| 2004 | 14.6% | -10.8% |
| 2008 | 14.9% | +2.0% |
| 2011 | 12.9% | -13.0% |
| 2014 | 13.3% | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 15.2% | +14.0% |
| 2016 | 15.5% | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 15.9% | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 15.8% | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 15.6% | -1.3% |
| 2020 | 15.6% | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 15.6% | -0.1% |
| 2022 | 15.8% | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 11.5% | -27.2% |
| 2024 | 16.3% | +41.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 7 |
| 1990s | 14.1% | 0.0% | 18.8% | 5 |
| 2000s | 16.5% | 14.6% | 19.8% | 6 |
| 2010s | 14.9% | 12.9% | 15.9% | 7 |
| 2020s | 15.0% | 11.5% | 16.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Panama
More education data for Panama
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 23,777 (2017)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 10,042 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 47,857 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 46,052 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 311,983 (2017)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 451,308 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.02 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0999 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Panama?
- Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government in Panama was 16.3% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 19.8% in 2000.
- What is the lowest expenditure on education as a percentage of total government recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1981.
- How does Panama rank for expenditure on education as a percentage of total government?
- Panama ranks 45th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is expenditure on education as a percentage of total government rising or falling in Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Expenditure on education as a percentage of total government expenditure (%) (UIS calculation). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release