Employed population of the country grew 1.3% during the first quarter of 2025

During the first quarter of the year 2025, the employed population of the country reached 17 million 374 thousand persons, increasing 1.3% (214 thousand 900 persons), compared to the same period of the last year. The National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) in the technical report Peru: Indicators of the labor market at national level and of 27 cities, informed that the employed population in the urban area increased by 1.7% (228 thousand 900); meanwhile, it decreased in the rural area by 0.4% (-14 thousand 100).

Based in the results of the Permanent Survey of National Employment (EPEN), is informed that the female employed population increased by 1.8% (133 thousand 600) and the male employed population increased by 0.9% (81 thousand 300).

From January to March of 2025, the employed population of 45 years old and over grew by 2.6% (170 thousand 100) compared to the first quarter of 2024, followed by the population of 25 to 44 years old by 2.1% (170 thousand 300). Nevertheless, the employed population under 25 years old reduced by 4.8% (-125 thousand 600).

During the quarter under analysis, the employed population in companies of 11 to 50 employees grew by 13.5% (157 thousand 500) compared to January – March of 2024 and in establishments of 51 to more employees by 3.1% (102 thousand 400). On the other hand, in companies of 1 to 10 employees decreased by 0.4% (-45 thousand 100).

The INEI informed that the employed population in construction sector during the first quarter of 2025, increased by 3.1 (34 thousand 500) compared to the same period of 2024. In addition, the employment in agriculture/fishing/mining registered a positive behavior increasing by 1.4% (60 thousand 400), commerce 1.2% (39 thousand 900), in services 0.9% (67 thousand 100) and in manufacturing by 0.9% (13 thousand).

At national level, during the first quarter of 2025, the unemployment rate placed by 5.5%, that compared to the rate of 6.4% registered in the same quarter of the year 2024, decreased by 0.9 percentage points. In addition, it was stated that the unemployment affected more women (6.4%) than men (4.7%). The unemployment rate is higher in young people under 25 years old (11.3%) and in those that have university superior education level (8.0%).

During the period April 2024 – March 2025, the country’s average monthly income coming from work placed in 1,780.40 Soles, increasing by 5.0% (85.20 Soles), compared to the same period of the last year.

During the first quarter of 2025, the employed population increased in 24 of the 27 main cities researched by the Permanent Survey of National Employment (EPEN). Outstood the following departments: Huancavelica (15.6%), Puno (9.6%), Cusco (9.3%) and Pucallpa (9.1%). On the other hand, it decreased in Cerro de Pasco (-1.5%), Tumbes (-1.4%) and Huancayo (- 1.3%).

During the period April 2024-March 2025, the city of Juliaca registered the highest incidence of informal employment (82.5%), followed by Pucallpa (73.0%) and Ayacucho (71.2%). The lowest rates of informal employment, were observed in Moquegua (54.5%), Lima Metropolitan area and Constitutional Province of Callao (56.1%) and Arequipa (57.0%).

During the period April 2024- March 2025, the cities that registered the highest average monthly income are Lima Metropolitan area and Constitutional Province of Callao (2,302.00 Soles), Chachapoyas (2,299.00 Soles), Moquegua (2,291.30 Soles) and Arequipa (2,279.60 Soles). On the other hand, the lowest incomes were registered in the departments of Juliaca (1,285.70 Soles), Pucallpa (1,631.30 Soles) and Chiclayo (1,637.10 Soles).