Population of Panama

Panama is a sparsely populated country. The population is primarily concentrated in urban areas. Panama is home to a diverse population, including indigenous communities and people decedent from countries around the world.

Panama’s indigenous population constitutes a sizable minority of some 200,000 people residing in the western and eastern regions. Some of these groups are recognized by the government and autonomous, while others continue to struggle for their rights. Lands supposedly set aside for indigenous groups end up being exploited by farmers and mining companies or other corporations, in some cases because of contracts secretly signed by government officials. These groups lose their traditions when they are forced to adapt to capitalism and its way of life.