The survey, commissioned by the newspaper La Estrella de Panama and conducted by Prodigious Consulting, revealed that nearly 24 percent of respondents identified corruption as the foremost obstacle to their development. This marks a significant increase in concern regarding corruption, which rose from 16.2 percent in January to 23.8 percent last March.

Additionally, the survey highlighted that the Social Security Fund (SSF) — particularly in light of recent reforms that sparked nationwide protests — has become the fifth most pressing issue affecting the population, with concern rising from 5.2 percent in July 2024 to 7.3 percent in March of this year.

The results also showed dissatisfaction with various other issues, including economic inequality, wealth distribution, lack of opportunities, insecurity, the public health system, education, drug trafficking and gang violence, inadequate access to water and electricity, and poor garbage collection.

Furthermore, the research indicated a lack of trust in public institutions, especially regarding the SSF and the Authority for Consumer Protection and Defense of Competition.

In another finding, 63 percent of respondents believe that the Panama Canal is poorly managed and does not benefit the local population.

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