Peru labor market shows improved worker optimism despite high informality

Recent data indicates a complex landscape for the Peruvian labor market. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), labor informality remains a significant challenge, with 69.8% of the occupied population holding informal jobs between April 2025 and March 2026. In the city of Ica, informality rates have decreased to 53.7% for the period between July 2025 and June 2026, down from 56.7% in the previous period. While Ica maintains one of the lowest informality rates in the country—comparable to Lima and Moquegua—more than half of its workforce still lacks formal employment.

Despite these structural issues, worker sentiment appears positive. A study by Rankmi reveals that 39.8% of Peruvian workers believe 2026 has been better than expected, a figure that exceeds the general average of the markets analyzed. Professional growth is the primary driver of this optimism, cited as a priority by 41.8% of participants. This trend is particularly strong among Generation Z and Millennials, who prioritize career advancement over personal well-being or national stability.