Statistical information Peru 1999

Peru in the World
top of pageBackground: After a dozen years of military rule Peru returned to democratic leadership in 1980. In recent years bold reform programs and significant progress in curtailing guerrilla activity and drug trafficking have resulted in solid economic growth.
top of pageLocation: Western South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Chile and Ecuador
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 S, 76 00 W
Map reference:
South AmericaAreaTotal: 1,285,220 km²
Land: 1.28 million km²
Water: 5,220 km²
Comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundariesTotal: 6,940 km
Border countries: (5) Bolivia 900 km;
, Brazil 1,560 km;
, Chile 160 km;
, Colombia 2,900 km;
, Ecuador 1,420 kmCoastline: 2,414 km
Maritime claimsContinental shelf: 200 nm
Territorial sea: 200 nm
Climate: varies from tropical in east to dry desert in west
Terrain: western coastal plain (costa), high and rugged Andes in center (sierra), eastern lowland jungle of Amazon Basin (selva)
ElevationExtremes lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Extremes highest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m
Natural resources: copper, silver, gold, petroleum, timber, fish, iron ore, coal, phosphate, potash
Land useArable land: 3%
Permanent crops: 0%
Permanent pastures: 21%
Forests and woodland: 66%
Other: 10% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: 12,800 km² (1993 est.)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity
GeographyNote: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia
top of pagePopulation: 26,624,582 (July 1999 est.)
Growth rate: 1.93% (1999 est.)
Below poverty line: 54% (1991 est.)
NationalityNoun: Peruvian(s)
Adjective: Peruvian
Ethnic groups: Amerindian 45%, mestizo (mixed Amerindian and white) 37%, white 15%, black, Japanese, Chinese, and other 3%
Languages: Spanish (official), Quechua (official), Aymara
Religions: Roman Catholic
Demographic profileAge structure0-14 years: 35% (male 4,786,048; female 4,637,280)
15-64 years: 60% (male 8,045,747; female 7,939,760)
65 years and over: 5% (male 557,252; female 658,495) (1999 est.)
Dependency ratiosMedian agePopulation growth rate: 1.93% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 26.09 births/1000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 5.7 deaths/1000 population (1999 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.13 migrant(s)/1000 population (1999 est.)
Population distributionUrbanizationMajor urban areasEnvironmentCurrent issues: deforestation; overgrazing of the slopes of the costa and sierra leading to soil erosion; desertification; air pollution in Lima; pollution of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes
International agreements party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
International agreements signed but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
Under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
Total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (1999 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birthMaternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rate: 38.97 deaths/1000 live births (1999 est.)
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 70.38 years
Male: 68.08 years
Female: 72.78 years (1999 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.23 children born/woman (1999 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rateDrinking water sourceCurrent health expenditurePhysicians densityHospital bed densitySanitation facility accessHiv/AidsMajor infectious diseasesObesity adult prevalence rateAlcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweightEducation expendituresLiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 88.7%
Male: 94.5%
Female: 83% (1995 est.)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationYouth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Republic of Peru
Conventional short form: Peru
Local long form: Republica del Peru
Local short form: Peru
Government type: republic
Capital: Lima
Administrative divisions: 24 departments (departamentos, singular_departamento) and 1 constitutional province* (provincia constitucional); Amazonas, Ancash, Apurimac, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Callao*, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huanuco, Ica, Junin, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Lima, Loreto, Madre de Dios, Moquegua, Pasco, Piura, Puno, San Martin, Tacna, Tumbes, Ucayali
Note: the 1979 constitution mandated the creation of regions (regiones, singular_region) to function eventually as autonomous economic and administrative entities; so far, 12 regions have been constituted from 23 of the 24 departments_Amazonas (from Loreto), Andres Avelino Caceres (from Huanuco, Pasco, Junin), Arequipa (from Arequipa), Chavin (from Ancash), Grau (from Tumbes, Piura), Inca (from Cusco, Madre de Dios, Apurimac), La Libertad (from La Libertad), Los Libertadores-Huari (from Ica, Ayacucho, Huancavelica), Mariategui (from Moquegua, Tacna, Puno), Nor Oriental del Maranon (from Lambayeque, Cajamarca, Amazonas), San Martin (from San Martin), Ucayali (from Ucayali); formation of another region has been delayed by the reluctance of the constitutional province of Callao to merge with the department of Lima; because of inadequate funding from the central government and organizational and political difficulties, the regions have yet to assume major responsibilities; the 1993 constitution retains the regions but limits their authority; the 1993 constitution also reaffirms the roles of departmental and municipal governments
Dependent areasIndependence: 28 July 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
Constitution: 31 December 1993
Legal system: based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
International law organization participationCitizenshipSuffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President Alberto Kenyo FUJIMORI Fujimori (since 28 July 1990); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Head of government: President Alberto Kenyo FUJIMORI Fujimori (since 28 July 1990); note_the president is both the chief of state and head of government
Note: Prime Minister Victor JOYWAY (since 4 January 1999) does not exercise executive power; this power is in the hands of the president
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
Elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held NA 2000)
Election results: President FUJIMORI reelected; percent of vote_Alberto FUJIMORI 64.42%, Javier PEREZ de CUELLAR 21.80%, Mercedes CABANILLAS 4.11%, other 9.67%
Legislative branch: unicameral Democratic Constituent Congress or Congresso Constituyente Democratico (120 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Elections: last held 9 April 1995 (next to be held NA April 2000)
Election results: percent of vote by party_C90/NM 52.1%, UPP 14%, other parties 33.9%; seats by party_C90/NM 67, UPP 17, APRA 8, FIM 6, CODE-Pais Posible 5, AP 4, PPC 3, Renovation 3, IU 2, OBRAS 2, other parties 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), judges are appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary
Political parties and leadersInternational organization participation: APEC, CAN, CCC, ECLAC, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LAES, LAIA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Ricardo V. LUNA MENDOZA
In the us chancery: 1700 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,036
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 833-9,860 through 9,869
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 659-8,124
In the us consulates general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Paterson (New Jersey), San Francisco
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Dennis C. JETT
From the us embassy: Avenida Encalada, Cuadra 17, Monterrico, Lima
From the us mailing address: P. O. Box 1995, Lima 1; American Embassy (Lima), APO AA 34,031-5,000
From the us telephone: [51] (1) 434-3,000
From the us FAX: [51] (1) 434-3,037
Flag description
: three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), white, and red with the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a shield bearing a llama, cinchona tree (the source of quinine), and a yellow cornucopia spilling out gold coins, all framed by a green wreath
National symbolsNational anthemNational heritagetop of pageEconomy overview: The Peruvian economy has become increasingly market-oriented, with major privatizations completed since 1990 in the mining, electricity, and telecommunications industries. An austerity program implemented shortly after the FUJIMORI government took office in July 1990 contributed to a short-lived contraction of economic activity, but the slide came to a halt late that year, and in 1991 output rose 2.4%. By working with the IMF and World Bank on new financial conditions and arrangements, the government succeeded in ending its arrears by March 1993. In 1992, GDP fell by 2.8%, in part because a warmer-than-usual El Nino current resulted in a 30% drop in the fish catch, but the economy rebounded as strong foreign investment helped push growth to 7% in 1993, about 13% in 1994, and 6.8% in 1995. Growth slowed to 2.8% in 1996 as the government adopted tight fiscal and monetary policy to reduce the current account deficit and meet its IMF targets. Growth then rebounded to 7.3% in 1997 even as inflation fell to its lowest level in 23 years. Capital inflows surged to record levels in early 1997 and have remained strong. In 1998, El Nino's impact on agriculture, the financial crisis in Asia, and instability in Brazilian markets undercut growth. While Lima publicly projects a rebound to 5% in 1999, private sector analysts believe this figure is overly optimistic.
Real gdp purchasing power parityReal gdp growth rate: 1.8% (1998 est.)
Real gdp per capita: purchasing power parity: $4,300 (1998 est.)
Gross national savingGdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useGdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 7%
Industry: 37%
Services: 56% (1997)
Agriculture products: coffee, cotton, sugarcane, rice, wheat, potatoes, plantains, coca; poultry, beef, dairy products, wool; fish
Industries: mining of metals, petroleum, fishing, textiles, clothing, food processing, cement, auto assembly, steel, shipbuilding, metal fabrication
Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (1996)
Labor force: 7.6 million (1996 est.)
By occupation government and other services: 44%
By occupation agriculture: 37%
By occupation industry: 19% (1988 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8.2%; extensive underemployment (1996)
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: 54% (1991 est.)
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareDistribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: $8.5 billion
Expenditures: $9.3 billion, including capital expenditures of $2 billion (1996 est.)
Taxes and other revenuesPublic debtRevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer pricesCentral bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balanceExports: $6.8 billion (f.o.b., 1997)
Commodities: copper, zinc, fishmeal, crude petroleum and byproducts, lead, refined silver, coffee, cotton
Partners: US 20%, Japan 7%, UK 7%, China 7%, Germany 5% (1996)
Imports: $10.3 billion (c.i.f., 1997)
Commodities: machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum, iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Partners: US 31%, Colombia 7%, Chile 6%, Venezuela 6%, UK 6% (1996)
Reserves of foreign exchange and goldDebt external: $25.7 billion (1996 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates: nuevo sol (S/.) per US$1_3.250 (January 1999), 2.930 (1998), 2.664 (1997), 2.453 (1996), 2.253 (1995), 2.195 (1994)
top of pageElectricityProduction: 16.211 billion kWh (1996)
Production by source fossil fuel: 19.25%
Production by source hydro: 80.75%
Production by source nuclear: 0%
Production by source other: 0% (1996)
Consumption: 16.211 billion kWh (1996)
Exports: 0 kWh (1996)
Imports: 0 kWh (1996)
CoalPetroleumCrude oilRefined petroleumNatural gasCarbon dioxide emissionsEnergy consumption per capitaPeru - Communication 1999
top of pageTelephones: 779,306 (1990 est.)
Telephone system: adequate for most requirements
Domestic: nationwide microwave radio relay system and a domestic satellite system with 12 earth stations
International: satellite earth stations_2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Broadcast mediaInternetBroadband fixed subscriptionstop of pageMilitary expendituresDollar figure: $913 million (1998; note_may not include off-budget purchases related to military modernization program
Percent of gdp: 1.4% (1998)
Military and security forcesMilitary service age and obligationSpace programTerrorist groupsPeru - Transportation 1999
top of pageNational air transport systemCivil aircraft registration country code prefixAirports: 244 (1998 est.)
With paved runways total: 44
With paved runways over 3047 m: 7
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 15
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 12
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 8
With paved runways under 914 m: 2 (1998 est.)
With unpaved runways total: 200
With unpaved runways over 3047 m: 1
With unpaved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 3
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 24
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 73
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 99 (1998 est.)
HeliportsPipelinesRailwaysTotal: 2,041 km
Standard gauge: 1,726 km 1.435-m gauge
Narrow gauge: 315 km 0.914-m gauge (1997)
RoadwaysWaterways: 8,600 km of navigable tributaries of Amazon system and 208 km of Lago Titicaca
Merchant marineTotal: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 51,518 GRT/75,018 DWT
Ships by type: cargo 6, oil tanker 1 (1998 est.)
Ports and terminalsPeru - Transnational issues 1999
top of pageDisputes international: on 26 October 1998, Peru and Ecuador concluded treaties on commerce and navigation and on boundary integration, to complete a package of agreements settling the long-standing boundary dispute between them; demarcation of the agreed-upon boundary was scheduled to begin in mid-January 1999
Refugees and internally displaced personsIllicit drugs: until recently the world's largest coca leaf producer, Peru has reduced the area of coca under cultivation by 26%, from 68,800 hectares in 1997 to 51,000 hectares at the end of 1998; most of cocaine base is shipped to neighboring Colombia and Brazil for processing into cocaine for the international drug market, but exports of finished cocaine are increasing