Employment growth in Peru driven by exports reaches 1.7 million.

In a recent report from the Center for Research on Global Economy and Business of the Exporters' Association (CIEN-ADEX), an encouraging growth in jobs generated by Peruvian exports during the first half of 2024 has been revealed. The report highlights that, thanks to export activities, a total of 1,732,000 jobs were created, including direct, indirect, and induced jobs, representing a notable increase of 4.6% compared to the same period last year. One of the most significant points of the report is the performance of the non-traditional sector, which, despite creating 1,047,000 jobs, recorded a slight decrease of 1.4%. In contrast, the traditional sector, which includes products such as minerals and basic agricultural products, achieved a significant increase of 15.4%, reaching 685,000 jobs. This contrast between the sectors reflects distinct dynamics in the Peruvian economy based on international markets. Particularly noteworthy are the results of two sectors that reached historic records: agro-industry and mining. The agro-industry generated 696,215 jobs, demonstrating that this sector has become a fundamental pillar in job creation, primarily driven by the export of superfoods such as blueberries, avocados, grapes, asparagus, and mangoes. Meanwhile, mining also played a relevant role, contributing 516,846 jobs to the total. Regarding international markets, Asia emerged as the main driver of job creation in Peru, generating 535,278 jobs, which represents 30.9% of the total. North America and Europe followed in second and third place, respectively, with 508,851 and 401,878 jobs generated. This data underscores the importance of Peru's trade relations with these continents, which continue to be strategic for national employment growth. However, the growth was not evenly distributed across the Peruvian territory. According to CIEN-ADEX's analysis, the regions that experienced significant job creation growth were Puno, Loreto, and Cajamarca, with growth rates of 134.5%, 105.2%, and 64.6%, respectively. However, some regions, such as Piura and Lambayeque, faced drastic declines in job creation, with negative rates of -34.5% and -29.8%, highlighting the economic disparities among different regions of the country. At the provincial level, the report reveals that the Andean and Amazon regions showed notable growth in job creation, with increases of 26.2% and 17.3%, respectively. In contrast, the Coast, which accounts for 52% of total jobs, showed a reduction of -4.1%. This scenario underscores the need for policies that promote balanced development and economic diversification among the different regions of the country. June, in particular, was a highlight for the export sector, as shipments abroad contributed to the creation of 316,591 jobs, representing an increase of 18.5% compared to June 2023. This growth translates into a positive boost for the national economy, reflecting the recovery of markets after years of challenges. Among the sectors with the best performance during this period, primary fishing, agriculture, and agro-industry stood out with significant increases in employment. Other sectors such as metallurgical and textile manufacturing also showed notable growth, although there were areas that faced difficulties, such as non-metallic mining and fishing and aquaculture. In a context where the global economy faces ups and downs, the performance of the export sector in Peru indicates the resilience of certain industries. However, it is crucial for the government and key players in the sector to continue supporting the areas of highest growth and seek effective solutions for those sectors that have fallen into unemployment. The CIEN-ADEX report, therefore, not only offers an optimistic outlook on job creation in the country but also invites reflection on the importance of diversifying the economy and strengthening the regions that still face significant challenges. With the right approach, Peru can continue to build on these achievements and move towards more inclusive and sustainable development in the future.