Running Head: PERU COUNTRY PROFILE
Peru Country Profile
STEN-3930
University of Windsor
Running Head: PERU COUNTRY PROFILE
Table of Contents
Data Collection 2
Analysis 6
Key Challenges 8
Recommendations 9
Implementation 10
References 12
Appendices 14
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Running Head: PERU COUNTRY PROFILE
Data Collection
Main Exports: Copper, gold, zinc, petroleum, coffee, potatoes, asparagus, and textiles.
Main Imports: Petroleum products, plastics, machinery, vehicles, iron and steel, wheat, and
paper.
Population Size
Peru is a large and fast-growing country with a total land area of 1,280,000 km2 and a
population of approximately 32.8 million people which is equivalent to 0.42% of the total world
population. The population density is 26 people per km of land (Peru Population, 2020).
Education Level
The rules for education in Peru are as followed, one year of compulsory preschool
education at the age of 5, six years of primary school at ages 6-11, five years of secondary school
at ages 12-16, two years of general secondary education, followed by three years of academic
secondary which is arts or science, or individuals can do three years of technical secondary
education (Education in Peru, 2019).
Political Environment
Although Peru’s economic growth over the last decade has allowed for Peru to become
one of the most promising Latin American countries to do business, this has been severely
threatened by the political instability that exists (Jaquette, 2018). The political environment
within Peru can be best described as highly fragmented with institutional weakness and an
uncertain path forward. In regards to the fragmentation of the political system, Peru has
historically established a system of decentralization that is weak and disorganized with monetary
resources being sent to regions based on the region’s percentage of mining exports. Although
initially viewed as an effective way to allocate resources between Peru’s 25 regions, it has
resulted in high levels of corruption among the 25 regional governors.
As a result of Peru’s ineffective system of monetary allocation, the political party
nominated for control has historically been decided by “transfugas” – individuals who vote based
on the amount of money a party is willing to pay them. With no major group of voters existing
purely on the notion of voting based on what is best for the future of the country, power has
historically fallen into the hands of a corrupt president with a viewpoint commonly existing
within the mid-right. Although the last few presidents are being tried for monetary corruption, it
is still argued that they contributed significantly to the country’s economic success with a
technocratic political agenda. Despite having weak political institutions in place, it is noted that
the political ideas and movements over the last decade have still contributed greatly to Peru’s
heightened levels of economic growth.
Peru’s political institution is prominently weak due to the existing deficit of state control
and division between the majority population and congressional objectives. This has resulted in a
technocratic leftist president that has weak congressional and party support due to a lack of trust
in single leadership. Although strong political interests aren’t an existing issue within Peru, the
ability to create and channel power on a foundation of trust and support is primarily the area in
desperate need of political improvement. With corruption deeply rooted in Peru’s political
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Running Head: PERU COUNTRY PROFILE
history, many are doubtful of a fast turnaround for Peru’s political institutions. Despite this, it is
recognized that with the strong economic progress that has occurred over the past twenty-five
years, and with the efforts of current president Martin Vizcara towards anti-corruption
sustainability, public opinion can be mobilized towards forcing lawmakers to go along with and
support Vizcara’s anti-corruption campaigns hopefully creating institutional change in the future
(Goldenberg, 2018).
Level of Corruption
The high historic levels of corruption within Peru have resulted in a large lack of trust in
the eyes of the public towards the government and judiciary systems. With a very little
framework in place to protect against monetary embezzlement and corruption, it is no surprise
that Peru’s last few presidents are all being tried for significant financial embezzlement.
Prominently it was the actions of President Alberto Fujimori that revealed just how deep the
levels of internal government corruption went. Ranking 7th place on Forbes’s list of “The World’s
All-Time Most Corrupt Leaders”, Fujimori was accused of embezzling $600 million US dollars
through a network of over a thousand people. This allowed him the ability to gain continuous
electoral advantages by bribing the media and blackmailing anyone else who tried to stand in his
way (Figaredo, 2018).
Ever since Figaredo’s allegations began to arise in the year 2000 and an interim president
was put in place after Figaredo fled the country, actions have continuously been taken in building
initiatives that would reduce overall political corruption. Unfortunately, due to the frequent shifts
of government and new corruption scandals, no real progress was made between 2001 and 2010
