Construction is accelerating in the west and Azuero

He construction sector It thrives in the interior districts of the country, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).

Preliminary data show that it is new construction increased in 8 major districts of the countryfrom 4,254 in 2022 to 4,882 in the first five months of 2023.

The main increase was recorded by Chitré, which went from 147 to 374 constructionsfollowed by La Chorrera, whose 1,952 new buildings exceeded 1,429 from last year.

Arraiján also saw an increase in the construction of new buildings by 14%, going from 576 to 658 between January and May 2023.

Just the opposite, a drop of 8.6% was recorded in the capital in new construction, so in the first five months of this year it fell to 1,286, while in the same period of 2022 it was 1,407.

INEC statistics includes single homes, apartment buildings, duplexes, shopping centers and businessesexcluding government works.

The the cost of these new constructions rose to $610.6 million between January and Mayof which $555.1 million corresponds to projects and $55.5 million to additions and repairs.

Going into detail about residential constructions, 1,940 projects were built in La Chorrera, followed by Panama, with 1,249; Arraiján, with 649; and David, with 396.

However, as for the number residential units that has been built, whether apartments or residences, Panama leads with 4,247, followed by La Chorrera with 2,002 and Arraiján with 1,092.

Increase in square meter it was astronomical in one year, reaching 70.9%.

In other words, while in the first five months of 2022, 592 thousand 872 square meters were used in new construction in these 8 districts, in the same period of 2023, it increased to 1 million 13 thousand 201 square meters.