Peru: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Peru?

Peru's national unemployment rate was 4.2% in the second quarter of 2026, down from 5.9% a year earlier, according to INEI. It was 4.8% in urban areas and 1.2% in rural areas. 17.78 million people were employed, 1.8% more than a year earlier.

For Metropolitan Lima, INEI publishes a rolling three-month rate: 4.8% in June to August 2026, with about 301,000 people looking for work. The figures come from the Permanent National Employment Survey. Low unemployment does not mean jobs are formal; many workers are in informal employment.

Official sources: INEI: National labour market, Q2 2026 · INEI: Lima labour market, June-August 2026

What is the average salary in Peru?

Average monthly income from work in Peru was S/ 1,966.3 in July 2025 to June 2026, 8.9% higher than a year earlier, according to INEI. In Metropolitan Lima, average monthly income from the main job was S/ 2,308.4 in June to August 2026.

The figures are averages of what workers report earning from their job, including the self-employed. An average is pulled up by high earners, so it is higher than what a typical worker earns. INEI also breaks the figures down by sex, age and city.

Official sources: INEI: National labour market, Q2 2026 · INEI: Lima labour market, June-August 2026

What is the minimum wage in Peru in 2026?

Peru's minimum wage (Remuneración Mínima Vital) rose from S/ 1,130 to S/ 1,230 a month on 1 October 2026, according to the Ministry of Labour. A second step, after the El Niño event, will take it to S/ 1,300.

The government said the increase covers about 600,000 workers and that micro and small firms with 2 to 10 employees will receive a one-off S/ 100 bonus per worker at the end of October to help cover the cost.

Official sources: MTPE: Minimum wage increase to S/ 1,300

How many Peruvians work informally?

Informal employment ranged from 53.4% of workers in Moquegua and 53.6% in Metropolitan Lima and Callao to 82.3% in Juliaca in July 2025 to June 2026, according to INEI.

The figures are for the 28 cities covered by INEI's labour market report, so they do not show informality in rural areas. Other cities with high rates were Pucallpa (74.5%), Bagua Grande (74.0%), Ayacucho (71.7%) and Tumbes (70.5%).

Official sources: INEI: National labour market, Q2 2026

What is Peru's minimum wage?

In 2024, the statutory minimum wage in Peru was 1,025 PEN a month (about $273), according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average monthly salary in Peru?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Peru at $563 a month in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2012. Latin America & Caribbean median: $523 a month; Peru is 5th highest of 14. Worldwide: 38th of 57.

What is Peru's unemployment rate?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 5.1%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.2% (2014) to 7.2% (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.0%, and Peru placed 17th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 84th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Peru?

9.5%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Peru for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 6.8% (2010) to 12.7% (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 14.0%, and Peru placed 21st highest of 29. Worldwide: 112th of 174.

What is the labour force participation rate in Peru?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Peru at 72.9% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 68.9% (2020) to 79.2% (2010). Latin America & Caribbean median: 63.4%; Peru is 3rd highest of 29. Worldwide: 22nd of 174.

How many women in Peru are working or looking for work?

65.0%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Peru for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at 72.0%; its low point was 2020, at 59.9%. Latin America & Caribbean median: 52.5%; Peru is 3rd highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 23rd highest.

What is the employment rate in Peru?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 69.1%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 64.0% (2020) to 76.4% (2010). Latin America & Caribbean median: 59.4%; Peru is 2nd highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 22nd of 174.

How many workers in Peru are self-employed or family workers?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Peru was 47.5%, according to the ILO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 4th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 29.8%. World rank, highest first: 56th of 174.

What share of workers in Peru earn a wage or salary?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Peru was 48.7%, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 26th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 64.8%. Worldwide: 118th of 174.