POPULATION TRENDS IN PERU 1

Population Trends in Peru

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Population Trends in Peru

Peru is the country in the west of South America which consists of 25 regions and one

province. The urban population is far greater than the rural population and is constantly

increasing due to internal migrations from rural to urban areas. About 27.8% of the total

population lives in rural areas. Internal migration is an old trend in Peru and has been followed

by the people since late thirties’, which further increased in sixties’ and till present this trend is

increasing and in the next twenty years it is expected to continue like this. The main reason

behind the trend is the difference in facilities that is available in the rural and urban areas.

Economic imbalance and variations in the different opportunities have greatly increased

migration from rural to urban areas (Goldman, 1989).

If the statistics are closely observed it is evident that infant mortality rate and under five

mortality has considerably decreased and has reached values below 15.2% and 18.5%. And on

the contrary the life expectancy at birth has increased and has reached values above 77.1% and

this trend is expected to continue in the next twenty years. If these trends continue it is expected

that Peru’s population will increase by almost one-third of its present population. Within this

period of time Peru’s population age structure will progressively become of old age and will be

intensified in the economically productive age scale. The working age population that

includes age range of 15 and 64 years will almost double the present work force and as

the population capable of earning increases the dependency ratio decreases (Hill, 1998).

Increased birth rate and fertility rate are the main reasons for the increase in population in

Peru and all over the world. Observing the above mentioned statistics it is clear that in Peru the

birth rate has greatly increased over the period of time and is expected to continue increasing
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over the next 20 years as a consequence of which the population will increase. Decrease in the

mortality rate and under five years mortality has also played a major role in increasing the

population of Peru and as earlier mentioned it is expected the this rate will continue to decrease

as a result of which the population will continue to increase. Lack of education among the people

is also a reason for the increase in population. (Bank, 1983)

Immigration of people from different parts of the world to Peru have also contributed in

increasing its population. Peru have always been the home of people belonging to various ethnic

backgrounds, races and religions. Rapid urbanization has led the people to rural-urban migration.

As far as external migration is concerned almost 10% of the total population of Peru lives in

different countries. Translational migration has also increased in Peru. And the youth also wants

to emigrate for better social and financial stability. Due to extensive migration in Peru to gain

social stability, migration in general is now associated with social stability.

Thus, over the next twenty years it is clear from the above statistics that the population in

Peru will increase due to a number of factors and reasons which are mentioned clearly in this

essay. It is necessary that the government take certain steps and introduce different policies and

create awareness among the people regarding the problems that arise due to increased population

growth. However due to the increased migration rate in Peru increased birth and decreased

mortality rate won’t be much of an issue for the country.

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References

Bank. (1983). The Population of Peru: Past trends and future prospects. Washington: World

Bank, Health and Nutrition Dept.

Hill, K. H., & WorldShennan, S. (1998). Population and demography. London: Routledge.

Goldman, N., Moreno, L., Westoff, C. F., Princeton University., Instituto Nacional de Estadística

(Peru), & Institute for Resource Development/Westinghouse (Columbia, Md.). (1989).

Peru experimental study: An evaluation of fertility and child health information.

Princeton, N.J: Office of Population Research, Princeton University