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  • Title: The Republic of Panama.
    Journal: Int Demogr; 1986 Aug; 5(8):1-4. PubMed ID: 12268220.
    Abstract:
    Panama's open financial system, skilled labor force, adequate infrastructure, and export-oriented commercial sector give it a greater prospect for recovery from Latin America's economic crisis than other countries. Indicators such as average daily caloric rate, population per health care worker, per capita income, total fertility rate, life expectancy, and percent of population under 15 years are more favorable in Panama than neighboring countries. However, economic growth is at present being undermined by internal and external debt, unemployment, high labor costs, and a rising trade deficit. Real per capita output has stagnated since 1980 and growth in the gross domestic product stood at 4.4% in 1982. Over 60% of married women in Panama use modern contraceptive methods, making the birth rate of 28/1000 the lowest in Central America. Panama's growth rate is expected to be 1.9%/year until the year 2000, at which point the population is projected to be 3 million. The infant mortality rate was 26/1000 in 1985, comparable to that in developed countries. Of concern has been rapid urbanization. 54% of the total population in 1980 lived in urban areas, and 66% of the urban population is concentrated in Panama City. Another concern is the tremendous gap between the rich and the poor in Panama. In 1980, the poorest 20% of the population received only 2.7% of total income, while the richest 20% received 60.3%. Such inequality has been somewhat compensated for by above average health services, a national sanitation program to provide safe drinking water, and strong government support for public education. Female labor force participation rates are higher in urban areas, but tends to be concentrated in the low-paying service sector. To absorb additions to the labor force, the economy needs to grow by 7.5%/year.
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