Photo: Martin St-Amant (S23678) · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Peru: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
Peru is placed 79th of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 77.74 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 12.9 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
79th
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 77.74Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 12.9Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- 11.55Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
- 3.7Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024Population in severe food insecurity (%)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Peru on health & wellbeing — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
77.74
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
Peru: 77.74. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in South America
- 81.17 Chile
- Land neighbours
- Bolivia 68.58 · Brazil 75.85 · Chile 81.17 · Colombia 77.72 · Ecuador 77.39
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
12.9
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
Peru: 12.9. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in South America
- 6.753 Chile
- Land neighbours
- Bolivia 15.7 · Brazil 14.22 · Chile 6.753 · Colombia 11.54 · Ecuador 12.88
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Peru’s is from 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
11.55
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
Peru: 11.55. Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in South America
- 1.8 Chile
- Land neighbours
- Bolivia 16.09 · Brazil 7.989 · Chile 1.8 · Colombia 12.74 · Ecuador 17.45
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
3.7
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
Peru: 3.7. Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in South America
- 0.6 Brazil
- Land neighbours
- Bolivia 5 · Brazil 0.6 · Chile 3.3 · Colombia 5.2 · Ecuador 11
02Over time
Which way Peru is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
PeruWorld median
Peru rose from 69.82 in 2000 to 77.74 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year Peru World median 2023 77.74 74.630 2022 76.83 74.313 2021 71.60 72.433 2020 73.83 73.063 2019 76.27 74.196 2018 76.02 74.081 2017 75.96 74.029 2016 75.95 74.013 2015 75.73 73.783 2014 75.26 73.330 2013 74.59 73.386 2012 73.98 73.210 2011 73.33 73.003 2010 72.89 72.827 2009 72.63 72.426 2008 72.74 72.264 2007 72.75 72.113 2006 72.34 72.027 2005 71.99 71.876 2004 71.45 71.477 2003 71.28 71.409 2002 70.81 71.173 2001 70.32 70.926 2000 69.82 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
PeruWorld median
Peru fell from 38.31 in 2000 to 12.9 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year Peru World median 2024 12.9 14.5 2023 13.3 15.2 2022 13.7 14.7 2021 14.1 15.1 2020 14.5 15.3 2019 14.9 15.7 2018 15.3 16.3 2017 15.7 16.8 2016 16.1 17.5 2015 16.6 17.9 2014 17.2 18.3 2013 17.8 18.7 2012 18.5 18.8 2011 19.3 19.0 2010 20.2 19.2 2009 21.2 20.8 2008 22.3 20.7 2007 23.6 21.8 2006 25.0 22.8 2005 26.6 24.0 2004 28.4 25.9 2003 30.4 26.9 2002 32.7 28.0 2001 35.3 29.1 2000 38.3 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
PeruWorld median
Peru rose from 3 in 2015 to 3.7 in 2024; the world median went from 3.4 to 4.9.
Every year’s figures
Year Peru World median 2024 3.7 4.9 2023 4.0 4.7 2022 4.1 5.4 2021 4.0 5.7 2020 3.8 5.6 2019 3.6 5.0 2018 3.5 4.2 2017 3.4 4.0 2016 3.4 3.4 2015 3.0 3.4
03In context
Peru beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 200 countries on health & wellbeing, never a place within the region.
Peru and the countries it borders
Standing among all 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Chile | 46th | 81.17 | 6.753 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
 Brazil | 63rd | 75.85 | 14.22 | 7.989 | 0.6 |
| Peru | 79th | 77.74 | 12.9 | 11.55 | 3.7 |
 Colombia | 89th | 77.72 | 11.54 | 12.74 | 5.2 |
 Ecuador | 105th | 77.39 | 12.88 | 17.45 | 11 |
 Bolivia | 124th | 68.58 | 15.7 | 16.09 | 5 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
The countries immediately above and below Peru in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Peru is ahead of the world, and behind
55 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median23
Statistics on which Peru does better than the middle country measured.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5784.8337.57No earlier reading
Peru: 84.83 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 2nd of 115 · derived.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.262.25521.26No earlier reading
Peru: 2.255 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 111th of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7470.0940.74No earlier reading
Peru: 70.09 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 7th of 136 · derived.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5460.5643.546No earlier reading
Peru: 0.564 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 155th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8195.581No earlier reading
Peru: 95.5 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 19th of 153 · derived.
Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum)MAP · 2024 · world median 8.1060.0268.106▲ Improved since 2014
Peru: 0.026 · world median 8.106 · Deaths from P. falciparum malaria per 100,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 133.27; lower is better.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.83135.5584.83No real change since 2013
Peru: 135.55 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3919.5416.39▲ Improved since 2013
Peru: 19.54 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 51st of 222 · derived.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.995.782.9No earlier reading
Peru: 95.7 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 26th of 109 · derived.
Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum)MAP · 2025 · world median 52.470.40452.47▲ Improved since 2015
Peru: 0.404 · world median 52.47 · New P. falciparum malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 334.75; lower is better.
HPV Vaccination Coverage, GirlsWUENIC · 2025 · world median 65.58065.5▲ Improved since 2018
Peru: 80 · world median 65.5 · Girls in the target group given the final dose of HPV vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 99; higher is better.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.217.47210.21▲ Improved since 2010
Peru: 7.472 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 110th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.6050.564▲ Improved since 2010
Peru: 0.605 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 65th of 172 · derived.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0220.039▲ Improved since 2018
Peru: 0.022 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 67th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1636.4878.163No real change since 2013
Peru: 6.487 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 121st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.7940.762▲ Improved since 2013
Peru: 0.794 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 79th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1346.5178.134No real change since 2014
Peru: 6.517 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 117th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
INFORM Severity IndexACAPS · 2025 · world median 3.12.93.1▼ Worsened since 2020
Peru: 2.9 · world median 3.1 · INFORM Severity (1–5, most severe crisis). ACAPS, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.3 to 4.7; lower is better.
Position 46th of 81 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.7114.95133.7▲ Improved since 2013
Peru: 114.95 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 128th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.2610.9812.26No real change since 2014
Peru: 10.98 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 110th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.340.351▲ Improved since 2013
Peru: 0.34 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 83rd of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Malaria Incidence (P. vivax)MAP · 2025 · world median 1.3821.3781.382▲ Improved since 2015
Peru: 1.378 · world median 1.382 · New P. vivax malaria cases per 1,000 people per year. Malaria Atlas Project (MAP), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.001 to 184.62; lower is better.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8582.8092.858▼ Worsened since 2014
Peru: 2.809 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 102nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median21
Statistics on which Peru does worse than the middle country measured.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.2570.971.25▲ Improved since 2013
Peru: 70.9 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 100th of 196 · derived.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.6551.4546.65▲ Improved since 2013
Peru: 51.45 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 94th of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.484.143.48No real change since 2015
Peru: 4.14 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 26.434.826.4No real change since 2017
Peru: 34.8 · world median 26.4 · Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 93.9; lower is better.
Position 65th of 145 · derived, 1st = worst.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.26.95.2▼ Worsened since 2013
Peru: 6.9 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 68th of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Dietary Energy SupplyFAO · 2024 · world median 2,9822,8632,982No real change since 2014
Peru: 2,863 · world median 2,982 · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1,757 to 3,962; higher is better.
Position 92nd of 155 · derived.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.9548.3952.95No earlier reading
Peru: 48.39 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 81st of 136 · derived.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.993.596.9No earlier reading
Peru: 93.5 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4518.614.45▼ Worsened since 2013
Peru: 18.6 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 78th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.4643.5627.46No real change since 2013
Peru: 43.56 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 78th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.536.141.5No earlier reading
Peru: 36.1 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 84th of 127 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 908490▼ Worsened since 2015
Peru: 84 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 415041▲ Improved since 2012
Peru: 50 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 20.933.620.9▼ Worsened since 2015
Peru: 33.6 · world median 20.9 · Population in moderate or severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 88.8; lower is better.
Position 44th of 135 · derived, 1st = worst.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.6962.59102.69▼ Worsened since 2013
Peru: 62.59 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher is better.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.756.967.7No earlier reading
Peru: 56.9 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 87th of 127 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 918491▼ Worsened since 2015
Peru: 84 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Agreement That Vaccines Are SafeWellcome Trust · 2018 · world median 77.6570.277.65No earlier reading
Peru: 70.2 · world median 77.65 · People aged 15+ who agree that vaccines are safe (% of those who had heard of vaccines). Wellcome Trust, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 29.29 to 97.91; higher is better.
Position 104th of 144 · derived.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.59.0275.5▼ Worsened since 2014
Peru: 9.027 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 46th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Births Attended by Skilled Health StaffUNICEF and WHO (Joint Database on Skilled Birth Attendance) · 2023 · world median 99.394.899.3▼ Worsened since 2013
Peru: 94.8 · world median 99.3 · Births attended by skilled health staff (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Database on Skilled Birth Attendance), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 60.9 to 100; higher is better.
Position 74th of 84 · derived.
Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 PandemicAriel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset) · 2026 · world median 272.35608.4272.35No earlier reading
Peru: 608.4 · world median 272.35 · Excess deaths per 100,000 people, March 2020 to the end of each country's data (at most December 2023). Ariel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from -264.9 to 1,013; lower is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.250.25▼ Worsened since 2014
Peru: 0.25 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
No better end10
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry OnWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 20.0549.3520.05No earlier reading
Peru: 49.35 · world median 20.05 · People aged 15+ who have ever been too anxious or depressed to continue their usual activities for two weeks or more (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.934 to 49.35.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.6538.220.65No earlier reading
Peru: 38.2 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2553.641.25Moved since 2013
Peru: 53.6 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.1725.9416.17Moved since 2013
Peru: 25.94 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.441.735.4Moved since 2013
Peru: 41.7 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.888.2866.88No earlier reading
Peru: 8.286 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.732.331.73Moved since 2014
Peru: 2.33 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 79th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8355.4457.83No real change since 2013
Peru: 55.44 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.554.454.55Moved since 2017
Peru: 4.45 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8937.938.89Moved since 2015
Peru: 37.9 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 105th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Peru
Children with Functional Difficulties, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Global Report on Food Crises, Insecticide-Treated Net Use and Violent Discipline of Children. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Health & Wellbeing among Peru’s 16 topics
Health & Wellbeing is Peru’s 8th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Education & Knowledgejoint 19th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality49th of 1834/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability54th of 1864/4 keys
- Energy50th of 1653/3 keys
- Mobility & Trade60th of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture65th of 1844/4 keys
- Digital & Technology78th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing79th of 2004/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 80th of 1764/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties90th of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labour87th of 1824/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 96th of 1944/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 106th of 1963/3 keys
- Peace & Security105th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 131st of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality109th of 1593/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders Peru can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Americas
United States=30th4/4 keysHighest in South America
Chile46th4/4 keysThis page
Peru79th4/4 keys
Positions out of 200 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Peru and health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
Peru on health & wellbeing: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Peru rank on health & wellbeing?
Peru is placed 79th of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate, Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for Peru?
77.74 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for Peru?
12.9 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How does Peru compare with Brazil on health & wellbeing?
Brazil is placed 63rd of 200, and Peru 79th. Life Expectancy at Birth: Brazil 75.85, Peru 77.74; Under-Five Mortality Rate: Brazil 14.22, Peru 12.9; Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five: Brazil 7.989, Peru 11.55; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity: Brazil 0.6, Peru 3.7.
How have Peru’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 69.82 in 2000 to 77.74 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 38.31 in 2000 to 12.9 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity rose from 3 in 2015 to 3.7 in 2024.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for Peru?
No current reading is published for Peru on Children with Functional Difficulties, Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Global Report on Food Crises, Insecticide-Treated Net Use and Violent Discipline of Children. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 55 statistics on this page come from 19 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Peru’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Peru (banner) — Martin St-Amant (S23678), CC BY 3.0
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Peru: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/peru/health