Peru - A worldwide survey of Peruvian migrants carried out by IOM Peru, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Statistics Institute (INEI) and presented this week in Lima, reports that 80.5 per cent of Peruvians living outside their country of birth have regular migratory status in their current country of residence.

The survey of 12,274 migrants also established that 49.3 per cent of respondents have permanent residence; 16.4 per cent have acquired citizenship; 11.1 per cent have a work visa; 2.1 per cent have a student visa; and 1.6 per cent have an unexpired tourist visa.

The rest of those interviewed for the survey, or 19.5 per cent, said they were in an irregular migratory situation.

“This survey confirms migration trends registered in previous IOM studies. And so the results of this latest research will be extremely useful for policy makers to design and implement migration policies and programs,” said Diego Beltrand, IOM Regional Director for South America.

Thirty-two per cent of Peruvians interviewed for the survey live in the United States; 16.3 per cent in Spain; 13.3 per cent in Argentina; 10.2 per cent in Italy; 7.6 per cent in Chile; 4.6 per cent in Japan; 4.3 per cent in Venezuela and 11.8 per cent in other countries.

The reasons given for migrating included: 41.1 per cent to find better economic opportunities; 21.1 per cent for family reunification; 12.5 per cent said they were unemployed and decided to find a job in another country; 10 per cent left the country to study abroad; and 9.9 per cent said a job contract prompted them to leave Peru.

When asked about their current labor situation, 73.1 per cent said they were employed and 26.9 per cent said they were currently unemployed.

The highest unemployment rate amongst Peruvian migrants was found in Europe with 30.1 per cent, followed by 27.8 per cent in Africa and Oceania. The rate for those living in North America is 24 per cent and 24.7 per cent for those living in Latin America.  The lowest unemployment rate, 21.2 per cent, was recorded in Asia.

Remittances play a central role for Peruvians migrants with 60.6 per cent confirming that they send money to their families back home. Some 51.6 per cent of them send money monthly, while 10.2 per cent sends remittances every other month and 7.7 per cent do so every 3 to 6 months.

The amount most frequently remitted is between USD 101 and USD 200.  The families in Peru use the remittances mainly for food, health care, and education. Some said that they use the money for savings, housing, to pay debts or to set up small businesses.

Almost 71 per cent of those interviewed for the survey said they are optimistic about the immediate future of Peru; 24.7 per cent think things will stay the same and only 4.8 per cent said things will get worse.

The number of Peruvians living abroad is estimated at 2.4 million, almost 10 per cent of the total population.

The survey interviewed 12, 274 Peruvians in 97 consulates in 49 countries.  It is available in Spanish at  http://www.iom.int/files/live/sites/iom/files/pbn/docs/Encuesta-OIM-web_Final.pdf

For more information please contact

Carolina Santos
IOM Peru
Tel: +511 221 7209 Ext.145
Mobile: +51 968 216 777
Email: casantos@iom.int