Poverty decreases in Panama

PANAMÁ. The levels of poverty and extreme poverty have decreased dramatically in the period between 2001 and 2007, according to a report of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic Commission CEPAL (Comisión Económica para Latinoamerica y el Caribe).

The report says that the number of people in extreme poverty or homelessness has diminished from 19.2 percent to 11.7 percent, while the figures of those living in poverty went down from 36.7 percent to 28.6 percent.

The report pointed out that the improvements in the standard of living experienced by the population were found in urban and rural areas, with the urban regions being slightly better off.

The highest levels of improvement were found in the East and Metropolitan regions of the country.

Over the last few years Panama has experienced a remarkable economic boom which has allow for more investments in social programs.

The results of the CEPAL analysis are important because they represent an important step for a country that wants to reduce extreme poverty on his population by 2015, in comparison with what it was in 1990.

CEPAL is an organization that is part of the United Nations and is responsible for promoting social and economic development of the region through economic and social programs that benefit the population.