Peru Population

Peru's fertility has fallen to around the replacement level, putting it on the slow ageing path common across much of Latin America. The population is concentrated on the arid coast and in the Andean highlands, with internal migration steadily swelling Lima. Growth continues, but the era of rapid increase is clearly behind it.

With roughly 34.8 million people as of 2026, Peru ranks 48th in the world by population. A country of South America, its trajectory to 2100 is governed by how births, deaths and migration play out. Population density stands at about 27 people for every square kilometre of land.

Growth continues for Peru until around 2067, the year its population is set to crest at about 41.7 million. From there a slow fall takes it to roughly 38.2 million by century's end.

Fertility sits at about 1.96 births per woman, below the replacement level of roughly 2.1, so without migration the population would eventually shrink.

Half of Peru is currently younger than about 30, but by 2100 the median age is projected to reach around 49, even as life expectancy improves from about 78 years. A rising median age means fewer working-age people supporting each retiree over time.

The trajectory above is the UN's medium scenario. Wars, policy shifts, economic change and migration can all move the numbers, but the broad shape, growth followed by an eventual peak, is robust across the main variants.