Country Profile: Peru

Peru is a country located in western South America, bordered by the South Pacific Ocean, with a diverse geography that includes coastal plains, the Andes mountains, and lush Amazon rainforest. Home to a population of approximately 32.8 million people, Peru is characterized by a rich cultural heritage and a complex history marked by indigenous civilizations and Spanish colonization. The economy is primarily driven by mineral extraction and agriculture, although the country faces challenges such as political instability and environmental concerns.

Geography

Peru covers an area of 1,285,216 square kilometers, making it almost twice the size of Texas. The country features three main geographic regions: the arid coast, the rugged Andes, and the Amazon rainforest. The diverse terrain contributes to various climates, ranging from tropical in the east to dry desert in the west, and leads to rich biodiversity.

Highest point: Nevado Huascaran at 6,746 m
Lowest point: Pacific Ocean at 0 m
Major river: Amazon River, with a total length of 6,400 km
Natural hazards: prone to earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic activity

People and Society

Peru has a population of about 32.8 million people, predominantly composed of Mestizo (60.2%) and Indigenous (25.8%) ethnic groups. The official language is Spanish, spoken by approximately 82.9%, alongside indigenous languages like Quechua and Aymara. The country has a rich cultural tapestry with strong religious influences, particularly from Catholicism.

Urban population: 78.9% of total population (2023)
Literacy rate: 93.7% (2024)
Median age: 30.4 years (2025)
Life expectancy: 68.9 years (2024)

Economy

Peru has an upper-middle-income economy that experienced a strong post-COVID recovery, despite ongoing political uncertainty. The economy heavily relies on mineral exports and agriculture, while facing social inequities and a substantial informal sector.

GDP (PPP): $535.911 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.9% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line: 27.5% (2022 est.)
Exports: $83.325 billion (2024 est.)
Imports: $67.16 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Peru operates as a presidential republic, with a complex history of governance characterized by periods of military and democratic rule. The current president is Jos é Enrique JER Í Oré, sworn in on October 10, 2025. The Congress of the Republic is unicameral, composed of 130 elected members.

Latest constitution: Promulgated on December 29, 1993
Suffrage: Mandatory for citizens aged 18 to 70
Administrative divisions: 24 departments, 1 province, and 1 constitutional province

Military and Security

The Peruvian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, tasked with external defense and some internal security duties. Military expenditures are estimated at 0.8% of GDP for 2024. The country actively participates in international peacekeeping missions.

Active-duty military personnel: Approximately 85,000
National Police: Approximately 75,000
Military deployments: 225 personnel in the Central African Republic (2025)

Energy

Peru's energy sector has made strides in electrification, with 96.2% of the total population having access to electricity by 2022. The energy mix is predominantly based on hydroelectric power, supported by fossil fuels and an emerging renewable sector.

Installed generating capacity: 16.164 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption: 53.3 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas production: 14.647 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

Environment

The country faces significant environmental issues, including deforestation, soil erosion, and air pollution, particularly in urban areas like Lima. Peru is a participant in various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and biodiversity conservation.

Forest cover: 52.9% of total land area (2023 est.)
Urban population: 78.9% of total population (2023)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 58.903 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)

Transportation

Peru's transportation infrastructure includes a network of railways, roads, and air connections, facilitating domestic and international travel. The country boasts 174 airports and a railway network measuring 1,854.4 km.

Total ports: 20 (2024)
Merchant marine: 111 vessels (2023)

Communications

Peru has made significant advancements in telecommunications, with about 80% of the population being internet users. The fixed-line and mobile cellular sectors continue to grow, enhancing connectivity across the region.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 42.6 million (2024)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 1.504 million (2023)
Broadband fixed subscriptions: 3.53 million (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	32,768,614 (2025 est.)
Area	1,285,216 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$535.911 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	4.9% (2024 est.)
Birth rate	16.43 births/1,000 population	(2025 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	68.9 years (2024 est.)
Total energy consumption per capita	30.923 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Urban population	78.9% (2023)
Literacy rate	93.7% (2024 est.)
Military expenditures	0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)