Country Profile: Peru

Peru is located in western South America, bordered by the South Pacific Ocean, Chile, and Ecuador. With a diverse topography that includes coastal plains, the rugged Andes mountain range, and the Amazon rainforest, it supports a population of approximately 32.8 million. The country has a mixed economy, primarily driven by mineral extraction and agriculture, and has experienced significant economic fluctuations influenced by political uncertainty. Peru is governed as a presidential republic, with a history of democratic elections and political turbulence.

Geography

Peru is characterized by its diverse geography, which includes a long coastline, the towering Andes mountains, and the expansive Amazon Basin. The country covers an area of about 1,285,216 square kilometers and has a varied climate ranging from tropical in the east to arid desert in the west. Significant natural resources, including minerals and hydrocarbons, contribute to its economy.

1,285,216 sq km: Total area of Peru.
2,414 km: Length of coastline along the South Pacific Ocean.
19%: Percent of land used for agriculture as of 2023.
52.9%: Percentage of forested land.
6,746 m: Elevation of Nevado Huascaran, the highest point in Peru.
7,062 km: Total length of the country's land borders with neighboring countries.

People and Society

As of 2025, Peru's population is approximately 32.8 million, with a majority identifying as Mestizo (60.2%), followed by a significant Indigenous population. Spanish is the official language, with Quechua and Aymara also recognized. The nation has a predominantly Catholic population, with an urbanization rate of nearly 79%.

32.8 million: Estimated population in 2025.
76%: Percent of the population practicing Catholicism.
93.7%: Literacy rate as of 2024.
30.4 years: Median age of the population in 2025.
25.8%: Percentage of the population aged 0-14 years.
68.9 years: Life expectancy at birth as of 2024.

Economy

Peru operates as an upper-middle-income economy, bolstered by mining, agriculture, and a robust services sector. The GDP is supported by its rich natural resources, including minerals and agricultural products. Recent years have seen economic growth tempered by political instability and climate challenges.

$535.911 billion: Estimated GDP in 2024 (PPP).
3.3%: Expected GDP growth rate for 2024.
4.9%: Unemployment rate in 2024.
27.5%: Percentage of the population living below the poverty line in 2022.
6.1%: Contribution of agriculture to GDP in 2024.
$83.325 billion: Projected exports in 2024.

Government

Peru is a constitutional presidential republic with a history of political transitions and turbulence. The current president is José Enrique JERÍ Oré, who took office in October 2025. The government is structured into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial, with regular elections and a framework for citizen participation.

José Enrique JERÍ Oré: Current president since October 10, 2025.
18 years: Minimum voting age, with compulsory voting until age 70.
130: Seats in the unicameral Congress, with a 41.5% female representation.
28 July 1821: Date of independence from Spain.
24 departments: Administrative divisions of Peru.

Military and Security

The Peruvian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with a focus on external and internal security operations. Military spending has varied but is projected to be about 0.8% of GDP in 2024. Peru has been involved in international peacekeeping missions and faces ongoing challenges from domestic terrorism.

85,000: Active-duty military personnel including Army, Navy, and Air Force.
0.8%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP in 2024.
225: Troops deployed for UN peacekeeping operations in the Central African Republic.
11%: Percentage of women in the active-duty military as of 2024.

Energy

Peru has made significant strides in energy production, particularly in renewable sources. Hydroelectric power dominates the energy landscape, contributing nearly half of the total installed capacity. The country also has substantial fossil fuel resources that play a vital role in its energy economy.

96.2%: Electrification rate of the total population in 2022.
16.164 million kW: Installed electricity generating capacity as of 2023.
44.8%: Percentage of electricity generated from fossil fuels.
118,000 bbl/day: Total petroleum production as of 2023.

Environment

Peru faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, pollution, and climate change impacts. The government is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues. Urban pollution and natural resource exploitation remain critical concerns.

58.903 million metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions as of 2023.
19.1%: Agricultural land use as of 2023.
84.9%: Proportion of rural populations with improved drinking water sources as of 2022.
8.357 million tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.).

Transportation

Peru’s transportation infrastructure includes a network of roads, railways, and airports, facilitating both domestic and international travel. The country's large coastal areas are served by significant ports, while air travel has expanded with numerous airports available.

174: Total number of airports as of 2025.
1,854.4 km: Length of railway infrastructure as of 2017.
20: Total number of ports in Peru as of 2024.
111: Total vessels in the merchant marine fleet as of 2023.

Communications

Peru has a growing telecommunications sector with a high mobile penetration rate. The country has seen increased internet access, with a significant proportion of the population using mobile and broadband services.

80%: Percentage of the population with internet access as of 2023.
42.6 million: Total mobile cellular subscriptions estimated in 2024.
1.504 million: Total fixed line subscriptions as of 2023.
3.53 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions as of 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	32,768,614 (2025 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	1,285,216 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$535.911 billion (2024)	Projected GDP in purchasing power parity
Unemployment Rate	4.9% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Birth Rate	16.43 births/1,000 (2025)	Annual birth rate
Life Expectancy	68.9 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy
Literacy Rate	93.7% (2024 est.)	Total literacy rate
Electrification Rate	96.2% (2022 est.)	Percentage of total population with access to electricity
Total Energy Consumption	30.923 million Btu/person (2023)	Energy consumption per capita
CO2 Emissions	58.903 million metric tonnes (2023)	Total CO2 emissions