Country Profile: Peru

Peru, situated in western South America along the South Pacific Ocean, is characterized by diverse geography that includes rugged Andes mountains, desert coastal plains, and lush Amazon rainforest. Its population of approximately 32.77 million is ethnically diverse, predominantly composed of Mestizos and Indigenous peoples, with Spanish as the official language. The country has an upper-middle-income economy heavily reliant on mineral extraction and agriculture, though it faces challenges related to political uncertainty and climate risks. Governed as a presidential republic, Peru has experienced significant political upheaval in recent years but continues to navigate its democratic processes.

Geography

Peru's geography is varied, featuring a total area of 1,285,216 square kilometers, making it almost twice the size of Texas. The country has diverse terrains, including a western coastal plain, the high Andes mountain range, and the lowland jungles of the Amazon Basin. Its climate varies dramatically from tropical in the east to dry desert in the west. Natural resources such as copper, gold, and natural gas contribute to its economy, while the country is also prone to natural hazards like earthquakes and floods.

2,414 km: Length of Peru's coastline.
6,746 m: Elevation of Nevado Huascaran, the highest point in Peru.
19.1%: Percentage of land used for agriculture (2023).
52.9%: Percentage of forested land (2023).
52.8%: Share of population along the coastal belt.

People and Society

Peru has a population of approximately 32.77 million people, projected to grow at 0.55% annually. The country is culturally rich, with a mix of ethnicities: 60.2% Mestizo, 25.8% Indigenous, and smaller percentages of Whites and people of African descent. The median age is 30.4 years, and the majority (over 78%) live in urban areas. The population exhibits a high literacy rate of 93.7%, though challenges remain, notably in rural healthcare access and poverty.

76%: Percentage of the population identifying as Catholic.
16.43 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025).
10.6 deaths/1,000: Infant mortality rate (2025).
68.9 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
4.2%: Government education expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2023).

Economy

Peru boasts an upper-middle-income economy focused on mining and agriculture, with a GDP of around $518.77 billion (2023). The economy has shown resilience post-COVID, but still faces inflationary pressures, which reached 6.5% in 2023. Major exports include copper ore and refined petroleum, while the informal sector remains significant. The unemployment rate is approximately 4.9%, reflecting a labor force of nearly 18.92 million.

$15,700: GDP per capita (2024).
27.5%: Population below the poverty line (2022).
28.5%: Exports as a percentage of GDP (2024).
61.6%: Household consumption as a portion of GDP (2024).
35.2%: Public debt as a percentage of GDP (2021).

Government

Peru is officially known as the Republic of Peru and operates under a presidential republic system. The President serves as both the head of state and government, with elections held every five years. The Congress of the Republic is unicameral, consisting of 130 directly elected members. Political turmoil has marked recent years, with frequent changes in leadership, yet the country strives for stability and transparency in governance.

11 April 2021: Date of the most recent presidential election.
1,212 km: Length of border with Bolivia.
Perfect score of 100%: Required majority for some constitutional amendments.
18 years: Minimum voting age, with compulsory suffrage until age 70.
96.2%: Electricity access rate for the total population (2022).

Military and Security

Peru maintains armed forces composed of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with approximately 85,000 active-duty personnel. Military expenditures are around 0.8% of GDP. The Peruvian National Police is also significant for internal security, focusing on counterinsurgency and counternarcotics. Recent operations have included efforts against the remnants of the Shining Path terrorist group.

225: Number of military personnel deployed in the Central African Republic (2025).
12-24 months: Duration of voluntary military service required.
50,000: Active-duty Army personnel.
1.1%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP in 2021.
Approximately 75,000: Personnel in the Peruvian National Police.

Energy

Peru's energy sector is characterized by a heavy reliance on hydroelectric power, which comprises 49.6% of its installed generation capacity. Total electricity consumption was 53.3 billion kWh in 2023. The country is making strides in expanding electricity access, with 96.2% of the population having access to electricity by 2022.

16.164 million kW: Installed electricity generation capacity (2023).
118,000 bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023).
14.647 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023).
30.923 million Btu/person: Total energy consumption per capita (2023).
6.638 billion kWh: Electricity transmission/distribution losses (2023).

Environment

Peru confronts significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, pollution, and soil erosion. While the country is rich in biodiversity, illegal logging and climate change threaten its ecosystems. Active participation in international environmental agreements highlights its commitment to addressing these issues.

9.2%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
58.903 million metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions (2023).
1.88 trillion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022).
84.9%: Access to improved drinking water in rural areas (2022).
31.7 micrograms per cubic meter: Particulate matter emissions (2019).

Transportation

Peru's transportation infrastructure includes 174 airports and a merchant marine fleet of 111 ships. Railways extend over 1,854 km, facilitating movement across land. The country's ports, particularly in Callao and Matarani, are vital for trade and commerce.

20 total ports: Including 16 with oil terminals (2024).
1,854.4 km: Length of railways (2017).
42.6 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
7: Number of heliports (2025).
4: Subscriptions to fixed-line telephones per 100 inhabitants (2023).

Communications

Peru has a growing communications sector, with 80% of the population using the internet and a total of 42.6 million mobile cellular subscriptions. The broadcasting landscape includes around 5,000 radio stations and multiple television networks.

3.53 million: Total fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
10: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023).
1.504 million: Total subscriptions for fixed-line telephones (2023).
4: Fixed-line telephones per 100 inhabitants (2023).
125: Mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2024).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	32,768,614 (2025 est.)
Area	1,285,216 sq km
GDP	$518.77 billion (2023)
Energy consumption per capita	30.923 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Birth rate	16.43 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	4.9%	(2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	68.9 years	(2024 est.)
Literacy rate	93.7%	(2024 est.)
Urban population percentage	78.9%	(2023)
Total renewable water resources	1.88 trillion cubic meters	(2022 est.)