Summary

This report aims at disseminating knowledge on the current status of the social protection system in Panama, and at discussing its main challenges in terms of realizing the economic and social rights of the population and achieving key development goals, such as combating poverty and hunger.

The report is organized in 10 chapters:

I. Introduction
II. Economic and social indicators
III. Basic structure of the social protection and promotion system
IV. Non-contributory social protection
V. Contributory social protection, analysing Coverage; Programmes run by the Social Security Fund; Disability, old age and death (IVM); Health, disease, and maternity; and Professional risks
VI. Education system
VII. Health system
VIII. Housing policies
IX. Employment policies
X. Final thoughts