Politics Economy Health Local 2026-04-05T13:09:53+00:00

Homelessness in Panama: A Growing Reality without a Sustained Response

In Panama, homelessness is on the rise, particularly in Panama City. Despite government initiatives, the crisis is driven by social inequality and a lack of reliable data. The government is investing in housing solutions, but the scale of the problem remains significant.


Homelessness in Panama: A Growing Reality without a Sustained Response

In Panama, homelessness is a growing reality, particularly in Panama City where the number of people living on the streets is increasing. Despite various government initiatives, significant changes have not yet been observed. Accurate, up-to-date figures for the total homeless population in Panama are not officially tracked, making it difficult to determine an exact number. The issue is most severe in Panama City, driven by social inequalities and a lack of investment. In 2019, over 50,000 people were living on under US$1.90 a day. Key contributing factors include high social inequality, economic disparities, a lack of government investment in affordable housing, and increased frequency of natural disasters. While Panama is a high-income economy, substantial poverty remains, with roughly 500,000 people living under US$5.50 a day according to 2019 data. The government has initiated plans to improve housing, including investing $25.7 million in housing solutions and implementing a certification of lots plan.

"Our Vision is for a world without homelessness".

"Our Mission is to use soccer to support and inspire people who are homeless to change their own lives; and to change perceptions and attitudes towards people who are experiencing homelessness".

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