Panama
Last updated March 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Emerging readiness
Panama demonstrates early-stage readiness (43rd percentile worldwide). Investments are generating initial gains, yet substantial gaps persist in several dimensions. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 43rd
- Global rank
- #102
- Regional rank
- #17
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Panama performs close to the global average across all GEFRI dimensions. Progress is evident, yet stronger ambition is needed to reach futures readiness among global peers.
All or most indicators are based on observed data, giving planners a dependable evidence base for decisions. Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination.
Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Governance effectiveness is below global norms, affecting the stability of education reforms. Girls outperform boys in secondary pathways, adding pressure to address male dropout risks.
Regionally, School Access and Gender Parity lags peers the most, signalling where investment could have the highest impact.
Key insights
- Places 102nd worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 17th within Latin America & Caribbean .
- Scores range from Infrastructure (63.1) to Innovation (32.2), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Trails regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.
Regional peers: Latin America & Caribbean
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 1 | Chile | 69.50 |
| 42 | 2 | Argentina | 63.66 |
| 45 | 3 | Costa Rica | 62.89 |
| 47 | 4 | Uruguay | 62.23 |
| — | — | Cayman IslandsMicrostate | 60.38 |
| — | — | Antigua and BarbudaMicrostate | 57.67 |
| 64 | 5 | Peru | 57.45 |
| — | — | GrenadaMicrostate | 56.29 |
| — | — | St. Kitts and NevisMicrostate | 55.55 |
| — | — | Turks and Caicos IslandsMicrostate | 55.09 |
| 77 | 6 | Colombia | 55.01 |
| 78 | 7 | Mexico | 54.67 |
| 80 | 8 | Brazil | 54.12 |
| 83 | 9 | Cuba | 52.99 |
| 85 | 10 | Puerto Rico (US) | 52.67 |
| — | — | BarbadosMicrostate | 52.39 |
| — | — | DominicaMicrostate | 52.39 |
| — | — | CuracaoMicrostate | 52.11 |
| 89 | 11 | Ecuador | 50.85 |
| — | — | St. LuciaMicrostate | 50.63 |
| 92 | 12 | Dominican Republic | 50.59 |
| 94 | 13 | Bolivia | 50.07 |
| 97 | 14 | Bahamas, The | 48.94 |
| — | — | St. Vincent and the GrenadinesMicrostate | 48.12 |
| 100 | 15 | Jamaica | 47.76 |
| — | — | ArubaMicrostate | 47.65 |
| — | — | Sint Maarten (Dutch part)Microstate | 47.32 |
| 101 | 16 | Belize | 46.55 |
| — | — | St. Martin (French part)Microstate | 46.35 |
| 102 | 17 | Panama | 46.27 |
| — | — | Virgin Islands (U.S.)Microstate | 46.26 |
| — | — | British Virgin IslandsMicrostate | 45.57 |
| 105 | 18 | Paraguay | 44.58 |
| 108 | 19 | Trinidad and Tobago | 42.48 |
| 113 | 20 | Venezuela, RBFCS | 39.09 |
| 117 | 21 | El Salvador | 37.18 |
| 119 | 22 | Guyana | 36.78 |
| 121 | 23 | Suriname | 35.88 |
| 131 | 24 | Honduras | 32.94 |
| 134 | 25 | Guatemala | 31.74 |
| 144 | 26 | Nicaragua | 28.87 |
| 165 | 27 | HaitiFCS | 21.75 |