Panama: environment

How much of Panama is covered by forest?

Forests covered 62.25% of Panama's land area in 2024, according to the World Bank's forest area series, based on FAO data, down slightly from 62.33% in 2022. Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use, were 19.22 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024, according to the greenhouse gas series.

Renewable sources produced 68.97% of Panama's electricity in 2021, according to the World Bank's renewable electricity series.

Official sources: World Bank: Forest area, Panama · World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions, Panama · World Bank: Renewable electricity output, Panama

What are Panama's carbon emissions?

Panama emitted 2.74 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person in 2024, excluding land use, down from 2.86 in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data. Total greenhouse gas emissions were 19.22 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

The World Bank figures come from the EDGAR database, which uses one method for all countries. Panama's large forest cover absorbs carbon, which these figures leave out; the Ministry of Environment reports net emissions in its national greenhouse gas inventory.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

What is air quality like in Panama?

People in Panama were exposed to an average of 15.12 micrograms of fine particles (PM2.5) per cubic metre in 2023, according to World Bank Open Data. It was 15.21 in 2022. The World Health Organization guideline for annual exposure is 5 micrograms.

The figure is a modelled national average from satellite and ground data, weighted by population. Exposure is higher in Panama City and Colón, where traffic and shipping are concentrated.

Official sources: World Bank Open Data

How much electricity does Panama use?

Electricity billed in Panama was 9.7% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to INEC's monthly economic indicators commentary for August 2026. Residential use rose 13.9% and commercial use 7.0%, while industrial use fell 2.0%. Over January to August, electricity supply rose 5.1% and generation 5.7%.

Supply is measured through the commercial metering system (SMEC) of the national grid. Water billed rose 2.1% in August. Panama gets most of its electricity from hydropower, so dry years increase the use of thermal plants.

Official sources: monthly economic indicators commentary for August 2026

What is Panama's carbon footprint per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Panama at 2.7 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.1 tonnes (2008) to 3.1 tonnes (2019). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 2.3 tonnes, and Panama placed 13th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 87th of 186.

What are Panama's total greenhouse gas emissions?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Panama was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 19.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2005, at 12.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 19.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, and Panama placed 17th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 119th of 186.

How much of Panama's energy is renewable?

28.0%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Panama for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 28.5%; its low point was 2019, at 19.0%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 18.9%; Panama is 12th highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 83rd highest.

How much of Panama is forest?

The FAO puts forest area as a share of land in Panama at 62.2% in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 5th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 50.6%. Of 190 countries with 2024 data, 24th highest.

How polluted is the air in Panama?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Panama was 15.1 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. The peak was 17.6 micrograms per cubic metre in 2005 and the low 14.8 micrograms per cubic metre in 2021. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 15.7 micrograms per cubic metre, and Panama placed 19th highest of 33. Worldwide: 116th of 192.

How much of Panama's land is protected?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Panama at 31.4% in 2025. Since 2013 it has ranged from 20.9% (2013) to 31.9% (2020). Latin America & Caribbean median: 20.1%; Panama is 4th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 28th of 192.

What is water stress in Panama?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2022, is 0.9%. The peak was 0.9% in 2015 and the low 0.8% in 2010. It is 31st highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 7.7%. Worldwide: 162nd of 175.