Peru reports high rates of depressive episodes among women

Data from the 2024 Demographic and Health Survey in Peru indicates that 14.1% of women aged 15 and older experienced a depressive episode in the last twelve months, compared to 6.8% of men.

Regional variations show higher proportions in the highlands (13.9%) than in the coast (9.7%) or the jungle (8.6%). In Ayacucho, the proportion reached 9.6%, affecting approximately one in ten people in that age group.

Depressive episodes were observed across all educational levels, though they were more frequent among those with less schooling. Specifically, the rate was 12.8% for those with primary education or less, 11% for those who completed secondary school, and 8.7% for those with higher education. The findings highlight challenges in accessing mental health services for working individuals who must balance medical appointments with labor and childcare responsibilities.