9 answers, 2 from Panama's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
193,773 students were enrolled in universities in Panama in 2024, 1.1% more than the 191,589 in 2023, according to INEC preliminary figures. There were 32,792 graduates, 5.9% more than a year earlier. 77.9% of students were at public universities and 22.1% at private ones.
The University of Panama had 45.6% of public university enrolment, followed by the Technological University of Panama (14.8%) and the Autonomous University of Chiriquí (10.3%). Bachelor's degrees accounted for 87.0% of enrolment. The adult literacy rate was 96.23% in 2024, according to the World Bank's literacy series.
Government spending on education in Panama was 2.47% of GDP in 2023, down from 3.38% in 2022 and 3.71% in 2021, according to UNESCO data on World Bank Open Data.
The figure covers all levels of government spending on education, including the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA) and public universities. Adult literacy was 96.23% in 2024, according to the same source. The MEDUCA site did not respond on 15 October 2026.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts net primary school enrolment in Panama at 86.2% in 2017. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 93.9%, and Panama placed 19th highest of 24. Of 134 countries with 2017 data, 107th highest.
76.6%: that is gross secondary school enrolment in Panama for 2017, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 82.6% in 2016 and the low 67.3% in 2006. Latin America & Caribbean median: 98.9%; Panama is 22nd highest of 25. Of 134 countries with 2017 data, 100th highest.
In 2023, gross tertiary enrolment in Panama was 53.7%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 57.8% in 2022 and the low 41.7% in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 48.6%, and Panama placed 7th highest of 16. Of 120 countries with 2023 data, 62nd highest.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the adult literacy rate in Panama at 96.2% in 2024. No year since 2010 has been higher. It is 3rd highest of 13 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 94.7%.
2.5% of GDP: that is government spending on education in Panama for 2023, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That is the lowest since at least 2008. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 3.8% of GDP, and Panama placed 25th highest of 26. World rank, highest first: 90th of 112.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Panama was 22 in 2017. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 25; its low point was 2016, at 21. It is 7th highest of 23 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 18. Worldwide: 51st of 130.
In 2024, the primary completion rate in Panama was 96.2%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Its high point since 2005 was 2012, at 101.2%; its low point was 2019, at 86.8%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 93.9%, and Panama placed 8th highest of 19. Worldwide: 50th of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error