Technology

The level of technology in Panem varies significantly from area to area. The Capitol is a technologically advanced metropolis, utilizing advanced science and engineering to make life easier for its plutocratic citizens. Technology in the districts is not described in as much detail, but it seems that the poorer districts, at least, have progressed little beyond 20th and 21st century technology, and in some cases even regressed: For example, Katniss Everdeen mentions that District 12 is lucky to get more than a few hours of electricity in the evenings, and that remedies made from crudely processed plants are the only medicines available to most people.

Outside of the Capitol, District 13 seems to be the most technologically advanced area of Panem. Due to the non-aggression pact established following the Dark Days, District 13 gained its independence from the Capitol, but was cut off from the rest of the country, and thus unable to share its technology with the other districts.

Technology development is the primary industry of District 3; the citizens are highly adept at engineering, and the district contains factories that manufacture televisions, computers, and other electronic devices.

Entertainment

 * During a training session, Beetee mentioned to Katniss that he developed a music chip small enough to be concealed in a flake of glitter, but that can hold hours of songs.

Fashion

 * For the 74th Hunger Games Tribute Parade, Cinna and Portia created artificial but highly realistic flames that were used as a key element of Katniss’ and Peeta’s costumes.
 * 75th Hunger Games, Tribute Parade:
 * Wiress and Beetee wore outfits studded with electric lights, representing District 3’s industry of technology and electronics manufacture.
 * The tributes from District 10 were dressed as cows and wearing flaming belts (which Katniss thought looked ridiculous). This may have been the same technology utilized by Cinna and Portia used the previous year.
 * During a training session, Wiress mentions to Katniss that she is developing a high-tech stitching device; it automatically senses the density of the fabric and selects the appropriate type of thread, thus eliminating human error.

Medicine

 * The burn cream Katniss received in the Arena soothed her injuries instantly and significantly reduced her inflammation in a matter of hours.
 * After Katniss emerged victorious from the 74th Hunger Games, she received a “full body polish” erasing not just the scars she acquired in the arena but the ones she acquired from years of hunting in District 12.

Transportation

 * The Capitol controls a high-speed train system that can cover the distance between District 12 and the Capitol itself (roughly from Appalachian Mountains to the Rocky Mountains) in less than 24 hours.
 * Hovercrafts are a means of aerial transport. Some are designed for military use, while others are meant to transport passengers or carry cargo.

74th Hunger Games
In these Games, the District 3 male reactivated the mines under the tribute plates through his knowledge of technology, a skill many people in District 3 have. If something makes contact with the ground, the mines go off and cause an explosion. Advanced technology further led to making of animals and insects such as the tracker jackers and the mutts used in the Hunger Games and by the Capitol.

As weapons
During the 74th Hunger Games, the tribute from District 3 safely repositions landmine's in the arena around a pile of supplies. Beetee also favored technology as a weapon. The tributes from District 3 are seen to be the only ones adept at utilising existing technology in the arena. Technology is shown to be used to make nuclear bombs and explosives. District 13's industry is nuclear technology, which proved invaluable in securing its independence from Panem. Pods, which are obstacles made in the Capitol, are used to stop the rebels from advancing into the city.

In Mockingjay, Plutarch Heavensbee expresses his woe at not having access to the weapons of past centuries to fight Panem's civil war, suggesting that Panem's technology is inferior to that of past civilizations.