Panama: housing

Is house building rising in Panama?

The value of private building permits in Panama's main municipalities was 22.6% higher in January to August 2026 than a year earlier, and 67.5% higher in August alone, according to INEC's monthly economic indicators commentary for August 2026. The permitted floor area was 33.6% higher over the eight months.

The figures cover new buildings, extensions and repairs, residential and commercial, in the districts of Panamá, Arraiján, Colón and five other towns. A permit does not mean the work has started. In the Panamá district, the value of permits rose 63.4% in August.

Official sources: monthly economic indicators commentary for August 2026

Are building costs rising in Panama?

Retail prices of several main building materials in the districts of Panamá and San Miguelito were higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to INEC's construction materials price index commentary for September 2026. Electrical cable rose 23.8%, cement blocks 12.6%, crushed stone 12.4% and ½-inch steel bar 10.9%. Grey cement fell 2.1%.

INEC tracks the retail prices of 13 materials. Between August and September 2026, nine of them did not change. Building material costs feed into the price of new homes and repairs.

Official sources: construction materials price index commentary for September 2026

How many people in Panama live in cities?

66.2%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in Panama for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 66.2%; Panama is 17th highest of 33. Worldwide: 85th of 193.

How common are informal settlements in Panama?

UN-Habitat puts the share of city dwellers living in slums in Panama at 16.3% in 2022. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2006. Latin America & Caribbean median: 14.7%; Panama is 9th highest of 26. Worldwide: 84th of 170.

What share of people in Panama have electricity?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Panama at 96.0% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 97.0%; its low point was 2005, at 84.1%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 99.5%; Panama is 27th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 127th highest.

What is access to clean cooking in Panama?

In 2024, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Panama was 94.0%, according to the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 18th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 95.0%. Worldwide: 91st of 192.