This research aims to estimate the rates of return in education in Panama, general and for the primary, secondary and university levels. Materials and methods: The data source was the Household Survey of 2010 and 2019, of the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), from which the study variables were extracted: income of individuals, age, sex, schooling, geographical area (urban, rural and indigenous). The estimation of the rates of return was made using the Mincer equations, in which the dependent variable is income and the explanatory variables education and work experience. Results: Rates of return in education have increased between years of study. There are very notable differences between women and men, indicating in part the employment discrimination as well as the intermittency of women's work. However, it should be noted that returns from education among women have been higher than among men. Another element to highlight is the possible intergenerational stagnation from the transitional age groups of 30 years and older, in which the accumulated average education barely reaches the secondary level. Conclusions: There are great inequalities in the distribution of income, which has as a background element the social and regional inequities of the country, which ultimately leave the benefits of education with less potential and distance us from closing the social gap.
Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
