Peru: health and care

What is life expectancy in Peru?

Life expectancy at birth in Peru was 77.9 years in 2024, up from 77.7 years in 2023, according to the World Bank, using UN population estimates.

Life expectancy is the average number of years a newborn would live if death rates by age stayed as they were. It is not a forecast for any individual. The figure is the same for men and women combined; the World Bank also publishes separate rates for each.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Peru

What is the infant mortality rate in Peru?

Peru's infant mortality rate was 11.0 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, down from 11.3 in 2023, according to the World Bank, using UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation data.

These are modelled estimates that combine survey and registration data. INEI's Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES) also measures child health; its 2025 results show anaemia in 34.9% of children aged 6 to 35 months and chronic malnutrition in 12.1% of children under five.

Official sources: World Bank: Infant mortality, Peru · INEI: ENDES 2025 child health

How many Peruvians have health insurance?

93.7% of Peru's population had some form of health insurance in the second quarter of 2026, up from 91.7% a year earlier, according to INEI. 63.4% were covered by the public Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS) and 25.5% by EsSalud, the social security health system.

SIS coverage was 89.5% in rural areas and 57.5% in urban areas. Having insurance does not guarantee timely access to care. The figures come from the National Household Survey.

Official sources: INEI: Health insurance, Q2 2026

How common is anaemia among children in Peru?

34.9% of children aged 6 to 35 months in Peru had anaemia in 2025, according to INEI's Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES 2025). The rate was 43.2% in rural areas and 31.5% in urban areas, and highest in Puno (56.1%) and Loreto (45.6%).

In the same survey, 38.7% of children in that age group had taken an iron supplement in the previous seven days, and chronic malnutrition affected 12.1% of children under five.

Official sources: INEI: ENDES 2025 child health

What is Peru's fertility rate?

Peru's total fertility rate was 1.7 children per woman in 2025, according to INEI's Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES 2025). It was 2.5 in rural areas and 1.6 in urban areas.

The fertility rate is the average number of children a woman would have at the birth rates of the survey period. In the same survey, 2.3% of girls aged 12 to 17 were pregnant or already mothers, 5.0% in rural areas and 1.5% in urban areas.

Official sources: INEI: ENDES 2025 fertility

What is life expectancy in Peru?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Peru was 77.9 years in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 74.0 years, and Peru placed 6th highest of 33. Worldwide: 57th of 193.

How many babies die in Peru?

The latest figure from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, for 2024, is 11.0 per 1,000. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 20th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 12.1 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 106th highest.

What is maternal mortality in Peru?

51.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Peru for 2023, according to the WHO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 55.0 per 100,000; Peru is 19th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 94th of 192.

What is Peru's health spending?

5.6% of GDP: that is current health spending in Peru for 2023, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 4.4% of GDP (2006) to 6.7% of GDP (2021). Latin America & Caribbean median: 6.8% of GDP; Peru is 20th highest of 33. Worldwide: 112th of 191.

How much do people in Peru pay for health care themselves?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Peru at 27.0% in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 22.5% (2020) to 43.4% (2008). Latin America & Caribbean median: 29.3%; Peru is 20th highest of 33. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 101st highest.

How many doctors does Peru have?

In 2023, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Peru was 1.7 per 1,000, according to the WHO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2007. It is 6th highest of 9 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.4 per 1,000. Of 58 countries with 2023 data, 30th highest.

What is hospital capacity in Peru?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 1.6 per 1,000. The peak was 1.7 per 1,000 in 2020 and the low 1.6 per 1,000 in 2011. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.1 per 1,000; Peru is 15th highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 53rd of 73.

How many children in Peru are vaccinated against measles?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Peru was 89.0% in 2024. The peak was 96.0% in 2011 and the low 74.0% in 2022. Latin America & Caribbean median: 89.5%; Peru is 17th highest of 32. Worldwide: 103rd of 191.