INEI: Employed population increased 1.5% in the year 2025 at national level

During the year 2025, the employed population of the country increased by 1.5% (252,300), compared to the year 2024, and reached 17 575 200 (seventeen million 5 hundred seventy-five thousand and two hundred) persons, informed 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 27 cities.

This study also informed that the population with employment of the urban area increased by 1.9% (267,800); nevertheless, it decreased in the rural area by 0.5% (-15 600), compared to the year 2024.

During the period analyzed, the female employed population grew by 1.8% (137,700) and the male employed population grew by 1.2% (114,600), compared to the year 2024.

By comparing the results of the year 2025 with the year 2024, the employed population grew by 9.0% (113,800) in companies of 11 to 50 employees, followed by the population that works in establishments of 51 and more employees by 2.9% (99,400) and in population that works in companies of 1 to 10 employees by 0.3% (39,000).

During the year 2025, the employed population in activities focused in Agriculture, Fishing and Mining increased by 2.5% (102,800). Likewise, a positive behavior showed the following areas Construction by 1.3%, (15,100), Commerce by 1.3% (43,000) and Services by 1.1% (81,800), regarding to the year 2024.

During the year 2025, the unemployment rate is at 4.9%, compared to the year 2024, condition that affected more women (5.7%) than men (4.2%). According to age group, it adversely affected in young people under 25 years old (10.7%) and between those that have university education level (6.3%).

During the year 2025, the employed population increased in 23 cities of the country, between those cities that outstood were Puerto Maldonado and Pucallpa with 7.3% (for each case), followed by Moquegua and Arequipa, with 5.7% (each one) and Huancavelica with 5.1%.

During the year under analysis, the cities that registered a rate of informal employment higher that 70% were Juliaca (82.3%), Pucallpa (73.8%), Ayacucho (71.9%) and Tumbes (70.3%). On the other hand, the lower rates were registered in Ica (54.0%), Lima Metropolitan area/Constitutional Province of Callao/Moquegua with 54.8% (in each one of these cases).

During the year 2025, the cities that registered the higher unemployment rates were Cajamarca and Huancavelica with 9.4% (for each case) and Cerro de Pasco (9.0%). On the other hand, the lower rates were registered in Trujillo (3.3%), Tarapoto (3.6%) and Iquitos (3.7%).

During the year 2025, the highly monthly incomes coming from work were registered in Lima Metropolitan area and the Constitutional Province of Callao (2,486.0 Soles), followed by Moquegua (2,426.4 Soles), Chachapoyas (2,392.5 Soles) and Arequipa (2,324.6 Soles).

INEI informed that during the fourth quarter of 2025, the employed population of the country increased by 1.9% (336,400 persons), compared to the figures registered in the year2024. Likewise, it reached the 17 834 800 (seventeen million eight hundred thirty-four thousand, eight hundred) persons with employment.

In addition, it was informed that during this period under study, the population with employment was greater between female population by 3.2% (249,000), as well as the male population by 0.9% (87,300), compared to the same quarter of the year 2024.

The employed population in companies of 11 to 50 employees increased by 7.2% (94,800), compared to the same quarter of the year 2024. At the same time, the companies of 51 and more employees registered a positive performance by 4.5% (164,500) and in establishments of 1 to 10 employees by 0.6% (77,100).

During the last quarter of the year 2025, the employed population in the economic activities of Commerce and Services grew by 3.5% (116,100) and 3.0% (215,400), respectively, compared to the same quarter of the year 2024. Likewise, it grew in Construction by 0.6% (7,300) and in Manufacturing by 0.2% (2,700).

From October to December of 2025, the unemployment rate was of 3.9%, compared to the same quarter of the year 2024. Likewise, this behavior mainly affected the female population (4.0%), the young people of 14 to 24 years old (9.4%), as well as the population with university superior education level (5.1%).

Between the months of October and December of 2025, 16 cities registered increase in its employed population, such as Puerto Maldonado (7.5%), as well as Lima Metropolitan area and the Constitutional Province of Callao (5.9%). On the other hand, nine cities showed a negative behavior.

During the fourth quarter of 2025, the cities of Cajamarca (9.9%), Juliaca (8.1%), Huancavelica (7.8%), Chimbote (7.5%) and Huancayo (7.4%) registered the higher unemployment rates. On the other hand, Puerto Maldonado and Iquitos with 2.2% (in both cases) and Trujillo (2.6%) registered the lower rates.