The employed population of the country reached 17 million 329 thousand 300 persons in the second quarter of the current year

According to the results of the Permanent Survey of National Employment (EPEN), during the second quarter of the year 2024, the employed population of the country registered 17 million 329 thousand 300 persons, compared the same quarter of the year 2023, increased in 0.2% (39 thousand 600 persons). This was informed by the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) in the technical report Peru: Behavior of the Indicators of the Labor Market at National level and in 26 Cities.

By residence area, the employed population of the urban area increased in 1.0% (142 thousand 300 persons), meanwhile, in the rural area, it experienced a decrease of 3.0% (102 thousand 600 persons less).

According to sex, the female employed population increased in 0.9% (66 thousand 700); meanwhile, the male employed population decreased in 0.3% (-27 thousand 100). From the total of the employed population of the country, 55.0% (9 million 536 thousand 800) are male and 45.0% (7 million 792 thousand 500), women.

During the second quarter of the current year, the employed population with university education level increased in 3.4% (117 thousand 900), and in the employed population that have non-university superior education level increased in 1.6% (47 thousand 100). On the other hand, the employed population that have primary education level decreased in 2.7% (-93 thousand 700), and those that have secondary education level decreased in 0.4% (-31 thousand 700).

The INEI informed that the employed population in companies of 11 to 50 workers increased in 4.7% (57 thousand) and those that work in establishments of 51 and more workers, in 0.6%

(22 thousand). Meanwhile, in the companies of 1 to 10 workers reduced in 0.3% (-39 thousand 500).

During the second quarter of 2024, the employed population in the Commerce branch increased in 6.6% (204 thousand 200), followed by Construction sector with 2.7% (38 thousand 500). On the other hand, the employed population in the Agriculture/Fishing/Mining activities decreased in 4.6% (-196 thousand 200) and Construction activity in 1.1% (-12 thousand 300). It is worth to mention, the employed population in Services did not show a significative variation.

At national level, the unemployment affected 5.9% of the Economically Active Population (EAP). In women, this indicator was of 6.7% and in men, 5.2%. The unemployment rate was higher in the population under 25 years of age (11.6%) and those that have university education level (6.7%).

During the period July 202 – June 2024, the average monthly income coming from work was of 1,716.40 Soles, and grew in 6.8% (108.60 Soles) compared to the same period of the last year.

During the second quarter of the current year, the employed population increased in 19 of the 26 cities that are part of this statistical research. The cities that outstood were Puno (5.0%), Lima Metropolitan area and the Constitutional Province of Callao (4.7%), Cusco (4.5%), Moquegua (4.4%) and Cajamarca (4.3%). Meanwhile, it decreased in 7 cities, registering significative decreases in the cities of Cerro de Pasco (-7.4%), Pucallpa (-4.8%) and Huánuco (-2.3%).

During the second quarter of the year 2024, in the cities of Huancavelica (13.4%), Moquegua (11.1%) and Cajamarca (10.5%) registered the highest unemployment rates. On the other hand, the lowest unemployment rates were registered in Moyobamba (3.4%), Tarapoto and Trujillo (5.0% for each case), among the main ones.

During the period July 2023 – June 2024, four cities register the highest rates of informal employment: Pucallpa (73.7%), Ayacucho (71.4%), Tacna (70.8%) and Puerto Maldonado (70.7%).

On the other hand, the lowest rates of informal employment were registered in Moquegua (55.3%) and Arequipa (55.1%), mainly.