Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Panama
Panama: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) was 4.7% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Prevalence of undernourishment in Panama, 2001–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for prevalence of undernourishment in Panama is 4.7%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 7.8% on the previous year and down 35.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Panama peaked at 23.3% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 4.5%, in 2019.
Panama ranks 88th of 171 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Panama, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 23.3% | — |
| 2002 | 19.4% | -16.7% |
| 2003 | 17.4% | -10.3% |
| 2004 | 16.2% | -6.9% |
| 2005 | 14.8% | -8.6% |
| 2006 | 13.5% | -8.8% |
| 2007 | 12.3% | -8.9% |
| 2008 | 11.2% | -8.9% |
| 2009 | 10.1% | -9.8% |
| 2010 | 9.0% | -10.9% |
| 2011 | 8.0% | -11.1% |
| 2012 | 7.4% | -7.5% |
| 2013 | 7.2% | -2.7% |
| 2014 | 7.3% | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 7.1% | -2.7% |
| 2016 | 6.8% | -4.2% |
| 2017 | 5.9% | -13.2% |
| 2018 | 5.0% | -15.3% |
| 2019 | 4.5% | -10.0% |
| 2020 | 4.7% | +4.4% |
| 2021 | 5.1% | +8.5% |
| 2022 | 5.3% | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 5.1% | -3.8% |
| 2024 | 4.7% | -7.8% |
Panama compared with similar countries
- Panama's 4.7% is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.5%, 1.9× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Panama's 4.7% is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 4.6%, 1.0× the median. (28 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 15.4% | 10.1% | 23.3% | 9 |
| 2010s | 6.8% | 4.5% | 9.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.0% | 4.7% | 5.3% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Panama
More health data for Panama
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.94 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.5994 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 101 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.2522 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0378 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.3451 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0398 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Panama?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Panama was 4.7% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 23.3% in 2001.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.5% in 2019.
- How does Panama rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Panama ranks 88th out of 171 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.