CapitalLima
Population32,768,614
Area1,285,216 km²
GDP per capita$15,700
LanguagesThe languages spoken include Spanish at, Quechua at, Aymara at, Ashaninka at, various other native languages at, other languages at, none at, and unspecified languages at .
Currencynuevo sol
Life Expectancy68.9 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
Ancient Peru was the seat of several prominent Andean civilizations, most notably that of the Incas whose empire was captured by Spanish conquistadors in 1533. Peru declared its independence in 1821, and remaining Spanish forces were defeated in 1824. After a dozen years of military rule, Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980 but experienced economic problems and the growth of a violent insurgency. President Alberto FUJIMORI's election in 1990 ushered in a decade that saw a dramatic turnaround in the economy and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity. Nevertheless, an economic slump and the president's increasing reliance on authoritarian measures in the late 1990s generated mounting dissatisfaction with his regime, which led to his resignation in 2000.
A caretaker government oversaw a new election in 2001 that installed Alejandro TOLEDO Manrique as the new head of government - Peru's first democratically elected president of indigenous ethnicity. The presidential election of 2006 saw the return of Alan GARCIA Perez who, after a disappointing presidential term from 1985 to 1990, presided over a robust economic rebound. Former army officer Ollanta HUMALA Tasso was elected president in 2011 and carried on the market-oriented economic policies of the three preceding administrations. Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard won a very narrow runoff in the 2016 presidential election. Facing impeachment after evidence surfaced of his involvement in a vote-buying scandal, KUCZYNSKI offered his resignation in 2018, and First Vice President Martin Alberto VIZCARRA Cornejo was sworn in as president. In 2019, VIZCARRA invoked his constitutional authority to dissolve Peru's Congress after months of battling with the body over anticorruption reforms. New congressional elections in 2020 resulted in an opposition-led legislature. The Congress impeached VIZCARRA for a second time and removed him from office after accusations of corruption and mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of vacancies in the vice-presidential positions, the President of the Peruvian Congress, Manuel MERINO, became the next president. His ascension to office was not well received, and large protests forced his resignation later in 2020. Francisco SAGASTI assumed the position of President of Peru after being appointed President of the Congress the previous day. Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones won presidential election in 2021 but was impeached and ousted the following year; his vice president, Dina BOLUARTE, assumed the presidency by constitutional succession in 2022.
Geography
Area
land
1,279,996 sq km
water
5,220 sq km
total
1,285,216 sq km
Climate
ranges from tropical in the eastern regions to arid desert in the west; temperate to frigid in the Andes
Terrain
the western coastal plain (costa), the high and rugged Andes in the center (sierra), and the eastern lowland jungle of the Amazon Basin (selva)
Land use
other
28% (2023 est.)
forest
52.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
19.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 3.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 14.2% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in western South America, it is bordered by the South Pacific Ocean, situated between Chile and Ecuador
Coastline
2,414 km
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
Nevado Huascaran 6,746 m
mean elevation
1,555 m
Irrigated land
25,800 sq km (2012)
Major aquifers
Amazon Basin
Map references
South America
Land boundaries
total
7,062 km
border countries
Bolivia 1,212 km; Brazil 2,659 km; Chile 168 km; Colombia 1,494 km; Ecuador 1,529 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
200 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim
continental shelf
200 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
natural hazards include earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, and mild volcanic activity
volcanism: volcanic activity occurs in the Andes Mountains; Ubinas (5,672 m) is identified as the most active volcano in the country; additional historically active volcanoes include El Misti, Huaynaputina, Sabancaya, and Yucamane; refer to note 2 under "Geography - note"
Geography - note
note 1: jointly controls Lago Titicaca, recognized as the world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, which stands at 5,316 m (17,441 ft), serves as the primary source of the Amazon River
note 2: Peru is situated on the Ring of Fire, a region surrounding the Pacific Ocean that houses approximately 75% of the world's volcanoes and up to 90% of the world's earthquakes
note 3: on 19 February 1600, Mount Huaynaputina in the southern Peruvian Andes experienced the largest volcanic eruption in South America in recorded history; intermittent eruptions continued until 5 March 1600, releasing an estimated 16 to 32 million metric tons of particulates into the atmosphere, which diminished sunlight reaching the Earth's surface and impacted global weather patterns; over the subsequent two-and-a-half years, millions perished worldwide due to famines caused by severe cold winters, cool summers, and the destruction of crops and livestock
Natural resources
copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash, hydropower, natural gas
Area - comparative
nearly twice the area of Texas; slightly smaller than Alaska
Geographic coordinates
10 00 S, 76 00 W
Population distribution
about a third of the population lives along the desert coastal belt in the west, with a significant concentration in the capital city of Lima; the Andean highlands, or sierra, accommodate roughly half of the population; the eastern slopes of the Andes and the adjacent rainforest are sparsely populated
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lago Titicaca (shared with Bolivia) - 8,030 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Amazon (6,145,186 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Amazon river source (shared with Brazil [m]) - 6,400 km
note: [s] following the country name denotes river source; [m] following the country name indicates river mouth
People & Society
Literacy
male
97% (2024 est.)
female
90.7% (2024 est.)
total population
93.7% (2024 est.)
Languages
Languages
The languages spoken include Spanish (official) at 82.9%, Quechua (official) at 13.6%, Aymara (official) at 1.6%, Ashaninka at 0.3%, various other native languages (comprising many minor Amazonian languages) at 0.8%, other languages at 0.2%, none at 0.1%, and unspecified languages at 0.7% (2017 estimate).
major-language sample(s)
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
The religious composition is as follows: Catholic at 76%, Evangelical Christian at 15.7%, no religion at 5.1%, and other religions at 3.2% (2017 estimate).
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.96 male(s)/female
total population
0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.75 male(s)/female
Birth rate
16.43 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.79 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
29.1 years
total
30.4 years (2025 est.)
female
31.3 years
Population
male
16,016,448
total
32,768,614 (2025 est.)
female
16,752,166
Nationality
noun
Peruvian(s)
adjective
Peruvian
Tobacco use
male
9.5% (2025 est.)
total
5.7% (2025 est.)
female
2.1% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
78.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
25.8% (male 4,293,229/female 4,119,269)
15-64 years
66.2% (male 10,546,502/female 11,041,106)
65 years and over
8% (2024 est.) (male 1,112,825/female 1,487,318)
Ethnic groups
Demographically, the population consists of Mestizo (mixed Indigenous and White) at 60.2%, Indigenous individuals at 25.8%, White individuals at 5.9%, those of African descent at 3.6%, and other ethnic groups (including those of Chinese and Japanese descent) at 1.2%, with unspecified individuals making up 3.3% (2017 estimate).
Child marriage
women married by age 15
2% (2020)
women married by age 18
14.1% (2020)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
50.4 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
38.4 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
8.3 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
12 (2025 est.)
Physician density
1.69 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
6.2% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
16.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-1.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
1.6 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.12 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 84.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 94.8% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 97.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 15.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 5.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 2.5% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
19.2% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
11.9 deaths/1,000 live births
total
10.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
9.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.55% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.04 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
About one-third of the population is located along the desert coastal region in the west, primarily around the capital city of Lima; approximately half of the population inhabits the Andean highlands, or sierra; the eastern slopes of the Andes and the adjacent rainforest are characterized by sparse population.
Life expectancy at birth
male
65.4 years
female
72.7 years
total population
68.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
51 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 65.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 88.1% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 94.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 34.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 11.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 5.9% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
3.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
5.74 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
2.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
11.204 million LIMA (capital), 959,000 Arequipa, 904,000 Trujillo (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
19.7% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
21.9 years (2013 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
52.7% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
2.7% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
15 years (2017 est.)
total
15 years (2017 est.)
female
15 years (2017 est.)
Environment
Climate
ranges from tropical in the east to arid desert in the west; temperate to icy in the Andes
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Colca y Volcanes de Andagua (2023)
total global geoparks and regional networks
1
Land use
other
28% (2023 est.)
forest
52.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
19.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 3.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 14.2% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
78.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.33% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
51.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
317 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
233.6 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
623.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
8.357 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
9.2% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation (partly due to unauthorized logging); overgrazing causing soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; contamination of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining waste; overfishing
Total water withdrawal
municipal
3.141 billion cubic meters (2022)
industrial
1.666 billion cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
21.112 billion cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
58.903 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
21.863 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
2.177 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
34.863 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
31.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
1.88 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: three vertical stripes of equal width in red (on the left), white, and red, featuring the coat of arms centrally positioned on the white stripe; the coat of arms includes a shield depicting a vicuna, a cinchona tree, and a yellow cornucopia overflowing with coins
meaning: the vicuna signifies fauna, the cinchona tree serves as the source of quinine, and the cornucopia represents mineral wealth; red symbolizes the blood shed for independence, while white denotes peace.
Capital
name
Lima
etymology
the term is derived from an early Spanish mispronunciation of the Quechua word Rimak, which refers to a deity and comes from the verb rima (to speak); Quechua priests historically communicated with worshippers from within their gods' statues.
time difference
UTC-5 (aligned with Washington, DC during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
12 03 S, 77 03 W
Suffrage
18 years; voting is universal and mandatory until the age of 70
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
2 years
Constitution
history
multiple previous versions; the most recent was promulgated on 29 December 1993 and took effect on 31 December 1993
amendment process
introduced by Congress, by the president of the republic with the consent of the Council of Ministers, or by request of at least 0.3% of voters; an amendment requires an absolute majority from Congress, followed by a referendum; if Congress passes the amendment with more than a two-thirds majority in two consecutive sessions, a referendum is not necessary.
Country name
etymology
the name may originate from the Guarani term biru, meaning "river"
local long form
República del Perú
local short form
Perú
conventional long form
Republic of Peru
conventional short form
Peru
Independence
28 July 1821 (from Spain)
Legal system
civil law system
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (comprised of 16 judges organized into civil, criminal, and constitutional-social divisions)
subordinate courts
Court of Constitutional Guarantees; Superior Courts or Cortes Superiores; specialized courts for civil, criminal, and mixed cases; two types of peace courts where professional judges and selected community members oversee proceedings
judge selection and term of office
judges are proposed by the National Board of Justice (a 7-member independent entity), nominated by the president, and confirmed by Congress; judges may serve until they reach the mandatory retirement age of 70.
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state
President José Enrique JERÍ Oré (since 10 October 2025)
election results
2021: Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones (PL) 18.9%, Keiko Sofia FUJIMORI Higuchi (FP) 13.4%, Rafael LOPEZ ALIAGA Cazorla (RP) 11.8%, Hernando DE SOTO Polar (Social Integration Party) 11.6%, Yonhy LESCANO Ancieta (AP) 9.1%, Veronika MENDOZA Frisch (JP) 7.9%, Cesar ACUNA Peralta (APP) 6%, George FORSYTH Sommer (VN) 5.7%, Daniel Belizario URRESTI Elera (PP) 5.6%, other 10%; percent of vote second round - Jose Pedro CASTILLO Terrones 50.1%, Keiko Sofia FUJIMORI Higuchi 49.9%
2016: Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi (FP) 39.9%, Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard (PPK) 21.1%, Veronika MENDOZA (FA) 18.7%, Alfredo BARNECHEA (AP) 7%, Alan GARCIA (APRA) 5.8%, other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI Godard 50.1%, Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi 49.9%
head of government
President José Enrique JERÍ Oré (since 10 October 2025)
most recent election date
11 April 2021, with a runoff on 6 June 2021
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected through an absolute-majority popular vote, potentially requiring two rounds, for a term of 5 years (can serve non-consecutive terms)
expected date of next election
12 April 2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 28-29 July (1821)
National color(s)
red, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
13 (9 cultural, 2 natural, 2 mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Cuzco (c); Machu Picchu (m); Chavin (c); Historic Lima (c); Huascarán National Park (n); Chan Chan (c); Manú National Park (n); Lines and Geoglyphs of Nazca (c); Rio Abiseo National Park (m); Historic Arequipa (c); Sacred City of Caral-Supe (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c)
Political parties
Advance the Nation (Avanza País) or AvP
Alliance for Progress (Alianza para el Progreso) or APP
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or FA
Free Peru (Perú Libre) or PL
Front for Hope (Frente Esperanza)
Magisterial Block of National Concentration (Bloque Magisterial de Concertación Nacional) or BMCN
National Victory (Victoria Nacional) or VN
Peru Bicentennial (Perú Bicentenario) or PB
Popular Action (Acción Popular) or AP
Popular Force (Fuerza Popular) or FP
Popular Renewal (Renovación Popular) or RP
Purple Party (Partido Morado)
Social Integration Party (Avanza País - Partido de Integración Social)
Together For Perú (Juntos por el Peru) or JP
We Are Peru (Somos Perú) of SP
We Can Peru (Podemos Perú) or PP
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
130 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Congress of the Republic (Congreso de la República)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/11/2021
expected date of next election
April 2026
percentage of women in chamber
41.5%
parties elected and seats per party
Free Peru (PL) (37); Popular Force (FP) (24); Popular Action (AP) (16); Alliance for Progress (APP) (15); Go on Country - Social Integration Party (AvP) (10); Popular Renewal (RP) (9); We Are Peru" (SP) - Purple Party (PM) (9); Other (10)
National anthem(s)
title
"Himno Nacional del Peru" (National Anthem of Peru)
history
adopted 1821
lyrics/music
Jose DE LA TORRE Ugarte/Jose Bernardo ALZEDO
National symbol(s)
vicuna (a camelid related to the llama)
Administrative divisions
24 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento), 1 province* (provincia), and 1 constitutional province** (provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao**, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huánuco, Ica, Junín, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Lima*, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 659-8124
chancery
1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 833-9860
chief of mission
Ambassador Alfredo Santiago Carlos FERRERO DIEZ CANSECO (since 27 February 2024)
consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Hartford (CT), Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (NJ), San Francisco
email address and website
[email protected]
Embassy of Peru in the United States - E-United States - Platform of the Peruvian State (www.gob.pe)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[51] (1) 618-2724
embassy
Avenida La Encalada, Cuadra 17 s/n, Surco, Lima 33
telephone
[51] (1) 618-2000
mailing address
3230 Lima Place, Washington DC 20521-3230
chief of mission
Ambassador-designate Bernardo NAVARRO; Chargé d’Affaires Joan PERKINS (since 18 April 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://pe.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
AIIB, APEC, BIS, CAN, CD, CELAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$48.003 billion (2021 est.)
expenditures
$55.34 billion (2021 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$71.39 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$72.97 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$83.325 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$69.936 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$63.776 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$67.16 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
extraction and processing of minerals; steel and metal fabrication; extraction and refining of petroleum, natural gas, and natural gas liquefaction; fishing and fish processing; cement, glass, textiles, clothing, food processing, beer, soft drinks, rubber, machinery, electrical machinery, chemicals, furniture
Labor force
18.918 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2021
35.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
1.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
nuevo sol (PEN) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2019
3.337 (2019 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
3.495 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
3.881 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
3.835 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
3.744 (2023 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$38.102 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
an upper-middle-income economy in South America; a robust recovery following COVID-19 mitigated by political instability and climate challenges; export activities primarily fueled by mineral extraction and agriculture; a significant informal economy and inconsistent access to public services; a stable fiscal framework and financial sector
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
3.9% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
4.9% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
4.9% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 34%, USA 14%, Canada 5%, India 4%, Switzerland 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 26%, USA 21%, Brazil 7%, Argentina 5%, Mexico 3% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$15,600 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$15,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$15,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
2.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
-0.4% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.3% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, potatoes, rice, bananas, milk, maize, chicken, oil palm fruit, cassava, grapes (2023)
Exports - commodities
copper ore, gold, refined copper, refined petroleum, grapes (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, trucks, broadcasting equipment (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$9.972 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$881.934 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$6.39 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
15.9% (of GDP) (2021 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$289.222 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
61.6% (2024 est.)
government consumption
13.4% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
-1.4% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
20.8% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
28.5% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-22.9% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
27.5% (2022 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
26.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
2.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
8.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
6.5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
2% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
3.1% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$520.872 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$518.771 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$535.911 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
7.9% (2024 est.)
total
8.8% (2024 est.)
female
9.8% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$72.328 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$71.394 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$79.246 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
32.2% (2024 est.)
services
52.7% (2024 est.)
agriculture
6.1% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
2% (2023 est.)
highest 10%
30.6% (2023 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
40.7 (2023 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
1.261 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
446,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
production
1.382 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
973,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
1.567 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
118,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
858.89 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
255,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
imports
47.696 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
53.3 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
16.164 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
6.638 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
4.883 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
14.647 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
9.675 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
300.159 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
85.1%
electrification - urban areas
99%
electrification - total population
96.2% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
30.923 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
3.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
1.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
44.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
49.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
80% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
10 major TV networks of which only one, Television Nacional de Peru, is state owned; multi-channel cable TV services are available; in excess of 5,000 radio stations including a substantial number of local-language stations (2021)
Internet country code
.pe
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
1.504 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
4 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
42.6 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
125 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
3.53 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
10 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
3
medium
1
key ports
Matarani Bay, Iquitos, Callao Port, Talara
very small
16
total ports
20 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
16
Airports
174 (2025)
Railways
total
1,854.4 km (2017)
narrow gauge
124 km (2014) 0.914-m gauge
standard gauge
1,730.4 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (34 km electrified)
Heliports
7 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
111 (2023)
by type
general cargo 1, oil tanker 9, other 101
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
OB
Military & Security
Military - note
The Peruvian Armed Forces (FAP) are tasked with external defense and certain domestic security duties in specified emergency zones and unusual situations; their primary areas of engagement encompass counterinsurgency, counternarcotics, cyber defense, disaster relief, and maritime security operations. In early 2023, the FAP assisted the police during anti-government demonstrations. Since 1958, they have participated in United Nations missions and maintain connections with regional military forces, especially those of Colombia, along with various nations including China, Russia, Spain, and the United States. The last external conflict involving the FAP occurred during a short border skirmish with Ecuador in 1995.
The Special Command of the Valley of the Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (CE-VRAEM) is charged with eradicating the remnants of the Shining Path terrorist organization (also known as Sendero Luminoso) and comprises several thousand personnel from air, ground, naval, police, and special forces. The FAP additionally supplies aircraft, vehicles, and logistical assistance to this command (2025).
Military deployments
225 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Armed Forces of Peru (Fuerzas Armadas del Perú or FAP): Peruvian Army (Ejército del Perú), Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Perú, MGP, which includes naval infantry and the General Directorate of Captaincies and Coast Guards, DICAPI), Air Force of Peru (Fuerza Aérea del Perú, FAP)
Ministry of the Interior: Peruvian National Police (Policía Nacional del Perú, PNP) (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Individuals aged 18-30 are eligible for voluntary military service (12-24 months) (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal largely consists of older or secondhand weapons sourced from various nations, including Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Korea, Spain, and the US. Peru possesses a modest defense industry that includes a shipyard for the construction and maintenance of naval vessels. Additionally, it has defense industrial cooperation agreements with several countries, including Russia, South Korea, Spain, and the US (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Estimates vary; there are approximately 85,000 active-duty members in the Armed Forces (50,000 Army; 25,000 Navy; 10,000 Air Force) and about 75,000 personnel in the National Police (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso); Tren de Aragua (TdA)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
83,441 (2024 est.)
refugees
546,699 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
32 (2024 est.)
Space
Space launch site(s)
In 2024, an initiative was declared by Peru to establish a prospective spaceport in Talara, located in the Piura department.
Space agency/agencies
The National Aerospace Research and Development Commission (Comisión Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Aeroespacia, CONIDA; founded in 1974) (2025)
Space program overview
The commission is dedicated to the acquisition of satellites, the implementation of space applications such as satellite data imagery, and the construction of small rockets. It has developed a small science and technology satellite, manages the operation of satellites, and processes satellite imagery data. Additionally, it constructs and launches sounding rockets with the aim of creating a satellite/space launch vehicle (SLV). It is engaged in the research, development, and acquisition of technologies for the production of satellites and satellite payloads, which include capabilities for remote sensing (RS). Since its inception in 2021, it has been a member of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) and collaborates with various foreign space agencies and industries, including those from Brazil, China, the ESA, specific ESA member states (notably France and Germany), India, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, and the United States, along with other signatories of ALCE (2025).
Key space-program milestones
2006 - The inaugural sounding rocket/space probe (Paulet-1) was launched.
2013 - The first domestically manufactured scientific/research satellite (PUCP-SAT-1) was launched by Russia; the first home-built rocket (Paulet 1-B) that could reach the stratosphere was also launched.
2016 - The first remote sensing satellite (PeruSat-1) was acquired from France and launched via a European rocket.
2024 - The signing of the US-led Artemis Accords regarding space and lunar exploration took place.
