Unmet need for contraception in Peru
Peru: Unmet need for contraception was 8.9% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Unmet need for contraception in Peru, 1986–2023
Source: Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division. Measured in % of married women ages 15-49.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unmet need for contraception in Peru is 8.9%, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 49.6% on the previous year and down 1.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unmet need for contraception in Peru peaked at 27.7% in 1986 and was at its lowest, 5.5%, in 2021.
That places Peru 52nd out of 58 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unmet need for contraception in Peru, year by year
| Year | % of married women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | 27.7% | — |
| 1992 | 21.6% | -22.0% |
| 1996 | 17.7% | -18.1% |
| 2000 | 14.4% | -18.6% |
| 2006 | 12.2% | -15.3% |
| 2008 | 12.6% | +3.3% |
| 2009 | 10.9% | -13.5% |
| 2010 | 10.3% | -5.5% |
| 2011 | 9.6% | -6.8% |
| 2012 | 9.3% | -3.1% |
| 2013 | 9.0% | -3.2% |
| 2014 | 8.6% | -4.4% |
| 2015 | 6.5% | -24.4% |
| 2016 | 6.0% | -7.7% |
| 2017 | 6.5% | +7.6% |
| 2018 | 6.3% | -2.4% |
| 2019 | 6.1% | -3.2% |
| 2020 | 6.1% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 5.5% | -9.8% |
| 2022 | 6.0% | +8.2% |
| 2023 | 8.9% | +49.6% |
Peru compared with similar countries
- Peru's 8.9% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 11.2%, 79% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Peru's 8.9% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 12.1%, 73% of the median. (13 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 27.7% | 27.7% | 27.7% | 1 |
| 1990s | 19.6% | 17.7% | 21.6% | 2 |
| 2000s | 12.5% | 10.9% | 14.4% | 4 |
| 2010s | 7.8% | 6.0% | 10.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | 6.6% | 5.5% | 8.9% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Peru
More health data for Peru
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.88 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.5045 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,235 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 782 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.3081 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.038 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.302 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unmet need for contraception in Peru?
- Unmet need for contraception in Peru was 8.9% in 2023, according to Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division.
- What is the highest unmet need for contraception recorded in Peru?
- The highest recorded value was 27.7% in 1986.
- What is the lowest unmet need for contraception recorded in Peru?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.5% in 2021.
- How does Peru rank for unmet need for contraception?
- Peru ranks 52nd out of 58 countries with data for 2023.
- Is unmet need for contraception rising or falling in Peru?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Peru data come from?
- The figures come from Household surveys, United Nations (UN), note: Household surveys, including Demographic and Health Surveys and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. Largely compiled by United Nations Population Division, published as part of Unmet need for contraception (% of married women ages 15-49). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unmet need for contraception is the percentage of fertile, married women of reproductive age who do not want to become pregnant and are not using contraception.