Peruvians need an average of S/3,292 to live comfortable, according to study

The last opinion study of Citizen Pulse He revealed that the estimated average minimum income to live with peace of mind in Peru amounts to S/3,292 per month. Hilario Chong Shing, author of the report, explained to the Republic that this figure responds to the context of political instability, inflationary expectations, perception of poverty and growing unemployment faced by Peruvians.

This situation has generated a change in consumption preferenceswith 74.3% of respondents opting for cheaper brands. The most affected categories are food (42.3%), where products such as oils (32.7%), flours and preparations (19.5%) and dairy (16.5%) stand out.

In the home and cleaning segment (16.5%), detergents (37.5%), personal toilet products (25%), home cleaning (20.8%) and paper and disposable (16.7%) stand out (16.7%) . On the other hand, in clothing and accessories (14.9%) falls are reported in the purchase of clothing (38.5%), footwear (26.9%), jewelry and bags (19.2%) and makeup and beauty products (15.4%).

“Income has not shown growth due to the 2020 and 2023 recessions, as well as high inflation levels of recent years. In terms of purchasing power, in 2024 a 9% drop compared to 2019 was evidenced, ”said economist Fernando Cuadros to this newspaper.

Their statement is strengthened with the results that show that 45.2% of respondents consider that, adding all the income of their home, does not reach them to cover all expenses, and 42.6% indicated that they barely find enough To do so.

Consequently, 65.3% have stopped consuming certain categories of products. In the field of food the meats (35.6%) and the dairy products (23.9%) stand out, while in the beverage segment the soda (40%) and alcohol (32%) stand out.

The results do not anticipate a nearby improvement, since 65.1% of Peruvians foresee a Increase in products prices by 2025.

Economic situation

“Only 10% of the population has monthly surpluses, but when quantifying them, most do not exceed S/50 to S/100,” worried Chong Shing.

54.3% qualify their current economic situation, especially among the population aged 45 to 59. 35% consider it bad or very bad, and 10.7% qualify it as good or very good. When comparing its current economic situation with that of a year ago, 38.6% believe that it is the same, 25% that is better or much better, and 35.1% that is worse or much worse. In this last group, the figure rises to 66.1% for people 60 years or older.

“The current pensions are not enough, a real pension reform is urgent,” said paintings.

Finally, in a year, 53.3% consider that it will be in a better or much better situation, 25.5% believe that it will be the same, and only 14.4% expect that it will be worse or much worse.

It should be noted that the work situation of the respondents were of face -to -face or remote worker (59.5%), unemployed or without work (18.3%), only student (10.3%), only home work (9.8%) or retired ( 2.1%).

“Population expectations have a political component”

• At present, respondents pointed out that, regardless of their political position, 87% disapproves of the way in which Dina Boluarte is driving her government. Likewise, 87.1% disapprove of the way in which ministers and ministers are developing their work. And 88.8% disapproves that of congressmen.
• Along the same lines, the top 3 of the main problems perceived in the country are: corruption (50.7%), public insecurity or crime (49.4%), and unemployment (27.7%). Others would be poverty (25.1%), justice or the judicial system (16.2%), the economy (16%) and low salaries (15.2%).

Family basket: Did prices go down in January?

In accordance with the ECNICAL Report of the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), in January 2025 the Consumer Price Index (CPI) registered a decrease of -0.08% nationwide and -09% in -09% in Metropolitan Lima, reflecting a slight fall in prices. However, in the annual period between February 2024 and January 2025, the CPI showed an increase of 1.80% at the national level and 1.85% in Metropolitan Lima, evidencing a moderate inflation trend in the country.

How much will the minimum salary rise in Peru in 2025?

The president of the Republic, Dina Boluarte, announced the last days of 2024 the increase in minimum vital remuneration (RMV) of S/1,025 to S/1,130, a measure that entered into force on January 1, 2025.

“After a technical and professional analysis, today I announce that, as of January 1, 2025, the minimum vital remuneration will increase in S/105, reaching an amount of S/1,130,” said the president.

This was the first increase in the minimum salary in more than two years, since its last modification made during the management of Pedro Castillo. With this update, the issue is again in the center of the debate in the country.