180 countries ranked by safety, peace, freedom and LGBT+ equality
Visiting: Not RecommendedLGBT+ visiting: Not Recommended
Panama is more than the canal, though watching a ship squeeze through the Miraflores locks is genuinely hypnotic. The San Blas islands are the Caribbean run by the Guna on their own terms, and Boquete does cloud-forest coffee up in the hills. The tourist circuit runs smoothly; the murder rate lives mostly in districts you'd never visit. City sense in Panama City and ColĆ³n covers it.
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people ā lower is better.
Panama: 11.7
Ranked 25th in the world for the highest homicide rate.
11.71 homicides per 100,000 people in 2023 ā a high rate by any standard.
Higher than 83% of the 230 countries and territories measured.
How peaceful the country is ā lower is better.
Panama: 2.0
Ranked 80th least peaceful country in the world.
More peaceful than 48% of the 163 countries ranked, scoring 2.006.
Up 4 places since 2024.
Personal and economic freedom ā higher is better.
Panama: 7.9
Ranked 45th freest country in the world.
Freer than 76% of the 165 countries measured ā 7.92 out of 10.
Day-to-day life (speech, movement, religion) scores 8.13; doing business and owning property, 7.64.
LGBT+ equality in law and daily life ā higher is better.
Panama: 3.9
Ranked 90th least equal in the world for LGBT+ people.
Better for LGBT+ equality than 51% of the 197 countries scored ā 39 out of 100.
The law runs ahead of public opinion here ā legal protections score 43 out of 100, everyday attitudes 34.