2025 National Census: Total population of Arequipa reaches 1 million 815 thousand inhabitants
Nota de prensa
17 de July de 2026 - 12:45 p. m.
The National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) informed that according to the results of the 2025 National Census, the total population of the department of Arequipa reached 1 million 815 thousand inhabitants, higher figure in 354 thousand persons compared to 2017; which represented an annual growth of 2.8%.
This results places Arequipa among the four most populated departments of the country, just behind of Lima, Piura and La Libertad.
According to sex, 50.1% of the population of Arequipa is women and 49.9% of the population is men. By age groups it is noted that the 64.8% are between 15 to 49 years old, 19.4% are under 15 years old and 15.8% are older adults of 60 years old and older.
Caylloma is the province with greater population growth in Arequipa
Between 2017 and 2025, the provinces with greater inter-census growth were Caylloma with 7.94%, driven by the economic dynamism of agriculture, mining and tourism among the main activities; followed by Caravelí 3.83%, Condesuyos 2.79%, and Arequipa with 2.58%; meanwhile that, Castilla just increased by 0.29%.
Between 2017 and 2025, the provinces with greater inter-census growth were Caylloma with 7.94%, driven by the economic dynamism of agriculture, mining and tourism among the main activities; followed by Caravelí 3.83%, Condesuyos 2.79%, and Arequipa with 2.58%; meanwhile that, Castilla just increased by 0.29%.
It is worth to mention that at national level, the province of Arequipa registered the greater population increase, after Lima Metropolitan area, by totalizing a population of 1 million 322 thousand inhabitants.
Cerro Colorado is the most populated district of Arequipa
The results of the 2025 National Census stated that Cerro Colorado is the most populated district in Arequipa with 262 thousand inhabitants, figure that reflects a growth of 3.6% annual during the inter-census period (2017-2025). Followed by the districts of Paucarpata (148 thousand), Majes (117 thousand), Cayma (106 thousand) and Alto Selva Alegre (101 thousand).
The results of the 2025 National Census stated that Cerro Colorado is the most populated district in Arequipa with 262 thousand inhabitants, figure that reflects a growth of 3.6% annual during the inter-census period (2017-2025). Followed by the districts of Paucarpata (148 thousand), Majes (117 thousand), Cayma (106 thousand) and Alto Selva Alegre (101 thousand).
68% of de immigrants of Puno, Cusco and Lima Metropolitan area
Regarding the migratory structure of Arequipa, is informed that between the years 2020 and 2025, 27.9% of immigrants that reached this department are from Puno, 23.0% of Cusco and 17.1% of Lima Metropolitan area, which concentrates the 68.0%.
Regarding the migratory structure of Arequipa, is informed that between the years 2020 and 2025, 27.9% of immigrants that reached this department are from Puno, 23.0% of Cusco and 17.1% of Lima Metropolitan area, which concentrates the 68.0%.
Meanwhile, the 61.5% of the emigrants that exit Arequipa went towards Lima Metropolitan area (25.9%), Cusco (19,5%) y Puno (16,1%).
Characteristics of the population in Arequipa
According to education level, 57.0% of children of 3 to 5 years have early education level, 81.6% of those are between 6 to 11 years old have primary education level, 73.3% of the adolescents of 12 to 17 years old have secondary education level; and in the young population of 18 to 26 years old, 39.6% have university superior education level and the 24.0% have non-university superior education level.
According to education level, 57.0% of children of 3 to 5 years have early education level, 81.6% of those are between 6 to 11 years old have primary education level, 73.3% of the adolescents of 12 to 17 years old have secondary education level; and in the young population of 18 to 26 years old, 39.6% have university superior education level and the 24.0% have non-university superior education level.
Illiteracy rate in Arequipa reached 2.8%
During the year 2025, the illiteracy rate of the population of 15 years old and older was 2.8%, which evidenced progresses in the access to the education. Nevertheless, differences between men (1.3%) and women (4.3%) were observed; as well as in in older adults where the rate increases by 15.1% in women and in the province of La Union by 15.5%.
During the year 2025, the illiteracy rate of the population of 15 years old and older was 2.8%, which evidenced progresses in the access to the education. Nevertheless, differences between men (1.3%) and women (4.3%) were observed; as well as in in older adults where the rate increases by 15.1% in women and in the province of La Union by 15.5%.
91.9% of the population in Arequipa has health insurance
The results of the 205 National Census indicates that, 91.9% of the population of Arequipa has health insurance. According to sex, the women affiliated to this insurance represented the 92.7% and in men represented the 91.1%.
The results of the 205 National Census indicates that, 91.9% of the population of Arequipa has health insurance. According to sex, the women affiliated to this insurance represented the 92.7% and in men represented the 91.1%.
According to the type of health insurance, 53.9% of the population has Comprehensive Health Insurance (SIS), 33.6% EsSalud, 5.1% private health insurance, 1.4% insurance of the armed or police forces and 0.4% other type of insurance.
5.0% of the population presents some type of disability
2025 National Census revealed that the 5.0% of the population of Arequipa presents some disability, prevalence that increases by 22.0% in the older adult population in women and 17.5% in men. The difficulty to walk or walking up and down stairs reached a greater proportion (2.8%), followed by disability to see even using glasses (1.8%), among others.
2025 National Census revealed that the 5.0% of the population of Arequipa presents some disability, prevalence that increases by 22.0% in the older adult population in women and 17.5% in men. The difficulty to walk or walking up and down stairs reached a greater proportion (2.8%), followed by disability to see even using glasses (1.8%), among others.
66.2% of the population is self-identify as mixed-race
66.2% of the population self-identify as mixed-race, while 22.2% self-identify as Quechua and 4.0% self-identify as white.
66.2% of the population self-identify as mixed-race, while 22.2% self-identify as Quechua and 4.0% self-identify as white.
Regarding to the language learned in the childhood, 83.8% of the population of 3 years old and older learned to talk just one language; while the 15.4% learned two languages.
Characteristics of homes and households
In Arequipa there are 809 thousand 009 private homes, of which the 77.7% are occupied (76.3% with present occupants and 1.4% with absent persons), 13,0% are homes of occasional use and 9.2% are unoccupied.
In Arequipa there are 809 thousand 009 private homes, of which the 77.7% are occupied (76.3% with present occupants and 1.4% with absent persons), 13,0% are homes of occasional use and 9.2% are unoccupied.
It is worth to mention that the houses in rent or sale represented the 1.2%, in construction or repair work 1.0% and 7.1% are abandoned or closed.
In the year 2025, 71.8% of the private homes are present occupants in Arequipa have water connected to the public sewage inside the house; 69.6% have toiled connected to public sewage inside the house; 92.6% has electric lightning by public network; and 84.8% of particular homes with present occupants have a floor different of wood, earth or other material.
2025 National Census showed that in Arequipa 577 thousand houses use gas cylinder (LPG) to cook, 99 thousand, electricity, among other fuels. Meanwhile, 76.8% of the households have service municipal collection of solid waste; nevertheless, in the rural area predominates the burning (31.7%) and the burying (16,3%) of solid waste.
It is worth to mention that, 97.7% of the houses in Arequipa has at least one Information and Communications Technology (ICT) device, therefore 73.1% have access to the Internet while the cellphone is available in the 97.5% of the houses.