Employed population of the country reached 17 million 179 thousand 800 persons in 2023

During 2023, the employed population of the country reached 17 million 179 thousand 800 persons. Compared to the year 2022 decreased in 0.9% (-156 thousand 700). This was informed by the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) in the technical report Peru: Indicators of the labor market at national level and of 26 cities, prepared with the results of the Permanent Survey of National Employment (EPEN).

During the 4th quarter of the year 2023 compared to the same quarter of the last year, contracted in 1.4% (-240 thousand 800 persons)

In 2023, the employed population under 25 years old, reduced in 8.4% (-233 thousand 300 persons), followed by the age group of 25 to 44 years old in 1.1% (-92 thousand 900). Nevertheless, it increased in the population of 45 years old and older in 2.7% (169 thousand 400 persons).

In the 4th quarter of 2023, the employed population under 25 years old contracted in 12.9% (-347 thousand 800), in the population of 25 to 44 years old contracted in 1.5% (-126 thousand 600). Nevertheless, in the employed population of 45 years old and older increased in 3.7% (233 thousand 600).

According to the education level achieved by the labor force, entering to the job market population with higher education; therefore, it increased 5.6% (185 thousand 900) those that have university education level and in 4.5% (126 thousand 800) those that have non-university superior education level; while it decreased the employed population with high-school education level in 4.8% (-368 thousand 200) and those that have elementary or lower education level decreased in 2.9% (-101 thousand 200 persons).

In the 4th quarter of 2023, the population with high-school education level reduced in 4.2% (-314 thousand 700) and the population with elementary education level reduced in 1.5% (-51 thousand). Meanwhile, among those that studied university education level grew in 2.7% (94 thousand) and non-university superior education level grew in 1.0% (30 thousand 800).

In 2023, the employed population in companies of 1 to 10 workers reduced in 3.3% (-425 thousand 700), compared to the year 2022. On the other hand, in companies of 11 to 50 employed increased in 8.2% (92 thousand 300) and of 51 to more workers increased in 5.4% (176 thousand 700).

During the 4th quarter of 2023, the employed population in the companies of 1 to 10 workers decreased in 3.1% (-396 thousand 500) and in establishments of 11 to 50 workers decreased in 2.4% (-29 thousand 600). Meanwhile, in the companies of 51 to more workers grew 5.5% (185 thousand 300).

In 2023, the employed population in Construction contracted in 9.7% (-121 thousand 900), in Agriculture, Fishing and Mining decreased in 6.3% (-279 thousand 100) and in Manufacturing in 0.1% (-1 thousand 900). Nevertheless, in Services and Commerce grew in 2.6% (185 thousand 300) and 1.9% (60 thousand 900), respectively.

During the 4th quarter of 2023, the employed population in Agriculture, Fishing and Mining decreased in 10.5% (-464 thousand) and in Construction 9.4% (-117 thousand 800). Meanwhile, in Commerce grew in 7.8% (235 thousand 600), Manufacturing 4.1% (59 thousand 400) and Services in 0.6% (45 thousand 800).

In 2023, the unemployment rate placed in 5.4%, being 0.7 percentage point more compared to the last year 2022 (4.7%). The unemployment affected more women (6.4%) than men (4.5%). The unemployment rate influenced in greater proportion in the population under 25 years old (10.9%) and among those that have university education level (7.2%).

During the 4th quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate placed in 5.2%, it means, 1.3 percentage points more than in the same quarter of the year 2022 (3.9%). This condition, affected in greater proportion to women (6.4%) than men (4.2%). As well as the population under 25 years old (11.4%) and those that have university superior education level (6.5%).

In 2023, in eight cities: Lima Metropolitan area and Constitutional Province of Callao, Trujillo, Tumbes, Tarapoto, Abancay, Ayacucho, Puerto Maldonado and Huánuco, the employed population increased compared to the year 2022, outstood the growth in Lima Metropolitan area and the Constitutional Province of Callao and Trujillo that increased in 3.9% in both cases and in the city of Tumbes (3.8%). Meanwhile, in 17 cities decreased the employed population, registering the most significant reductions in the cities of Puno (-9.5%), Chiclayo (-5.8%) and Arequipa (-5.,1%).

In 2023, the highest rates of informal employment were registered in the cities of Pucallpa (73.6%), Ayacucho (72.8%), Tacna (71.3%), Puerto Maldonado (70.5%) and Iquitos (70.4%).

In 2023, in the cities of Moquegua (11.8%), Huancavelica (10.7%), Cajamarca and Puno (9.8% in both cases), were registered the highest unemployment rates.

During the las quarter of the year 2023, the cities of Moquegua (11.1%), Huancavelica (9.1%), Cajamarca (8.6%) and Chimbote (8.1%), registered the highest unemployment rates.

In 2023, the highest incomes coming from work were registered in the cities of Chachapoyas (2,228.70 Soles), Arequipa (2,206.60 Soles) and Moquegua (2,174.30 Soles).