Which ethnic groups make up most of Peru’s population?

Peru’s population is characterized by a diverse ethnic mosaic shaped by its history of colonization and migration. The primary ethnic groups include:

• Mestizos: Individuals of mixed Indigenous and European descent, who constitute approximately three-fifths of the population. They generally form the middle class and are often concentrated along the coast.1
• Indigenous peoples: The Quechua people make up between one-fifth and one-fourth of the population. Additionally, there are Aymara people and various Indigenous groups residing in the Amazonia region.1

Beyond these major groups, Peru is home to smaller minority populations, including people of European, Japanese, and other ancestries. Historically, these diverse groups have tended to intermarry over time, contributing to the country's complex social structure. While power in government and industry has traditionally been held by a small group of people of European ancestry, the nation's demographic landscape continues to reflect a blend of Indigenous and European cultural influences.1

Would you like to learn more about the cultural impact of these groups or their distribution across Peru's different geographic regions?