SITUATION OF CHILDREN IN PerU
eXecutivE SUMMARY
Index
INTRODUCTIOn....................................................... 1
SituaTIOn OF CHILDREN
AND adolesceNTS.............................................. 2
EARLY CHILDHOOD
(FROM CONCEPTION THROUGH 5 YEARS)......................... 4
CHILDHOOD
(FROM 6 TO 11 YEARS)................................................. 10
adolesceNce
(FROM 12 TO 17 YEARS)............................................... 15
TABLES
Indicators of the situation of children
and adolescents by life cycle............................................. 3
Summary of departmental indicators................................. 21
Situation of Children in Peru. Executive Summary
© United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Parque Melitón Porras 350, Miraflores, Lima – Peru
Phone: 2130707 / Fax: 4470370
Web page: www.unicef.org/peru
© Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática (INEI)
General Garzón 654 – 658, Jesús María, Lima – Peru
Phone: 4334223 / Fax: 4311340
Web page: www.inei.gob.pe
Placed in Legal Deposit with the Biblioteca Nacional del Perú No. 2008-06626
First edition
1,000 copies
Lima, June 2008
Printed in Tarea Asociación Gráfica Educativa
Cover photo:
UNICEF/PERA/2006/Ouvrard
Back cover photo:
UNICEF/PERA-9143
Maps of Peru and its departments:
Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática
Dirección Nacional de Censos y Encuestas
Dirección Ejecutiva de Cartografía y Geografía
Design and diagramming:
Gisella Scheuch
This document may be copied and cited – totally or partially, as long as the source
is mentioned. Please send us a copy of any document, article or other publication
that cites this publication.
UNICEF/PERA/2006/Ouvrard
INTRODUCTION
Peru has made important steps towards increasing norms, policies and programmes
that promote and protect the rights of children. However, because Peru is a country
with great cultural, ethnic, linguistic, socio-economic and geographic diversity,
national averages tend to hide the real situation of inequity in which many children and
adolescents live. Because of this, it is necessary to have disaggregated information,
particularly in regards to different regions of the country.
It is in this context that the study entitled Situation of Children in Peru has been
prepared. This document aims to better inform policy makers and the public about
the situation of Peruvian children and adolescents at the national, regional and local
levels. Further, it aims to contribute to the formulation of public policies to better
fulfil the rights of all children and adolescents in Peru.
This study presents analytical information about Peruvian young people by stages in
their life cycle: early childhood (from conception through 5 years); childhood (ages 6 to
11 years) and adolescence (ages 12 and 17 years). Each of the stages includes:
a)The Child Development Index (CDI), which shows the processes that limit
or empower the integral development of children and adolescents, including
the dimensions of (1) health and nutrition; (2) learning and education; and
(3) environment and the protection of rights.
b)Information on indicators for children and adolescents, disaggregated by
geographic regions, areas of residence, socio-economic levels, maternal
language and gender.
This study also addresses the situation of children and adolescents by regions,
with information disaggregated at the provincial level in order to show the existing
differences within each region. The following text provides a summary of the main
aspects of the study entitled Situation of Children in Peru.
Situation of Children in Peru
1
UNICEF/PERA/2007
Situation of children
and adolescents
Peru’s total population currently exceeds 28 million people. 38% of the total population
is comprised of children and adolescents between 0 and 17 years (10,730,805), and
around 60% of this population live in conditions of poverty.
Population in Peru, by age group
Population by age group
Total
Child
population
and adolescent population Children 0-5
Children 6-11
Adolescents 12-17
National
% of the total population
28,348,700
10,730,805
3,585,977
3,618,869
3,525,959
100.00
37.9
12.7
12.8
12.4
Source: Peru: Estimations and Projections of Population: Rural, Urban, Total per Calendar years and Simple Ages 1970 – 2025. Special
Bulletin No. 15, July 2002 (INEI).
Figure 1
Children and adolescents constitute one of
Rates of poverty and extreme poverty in
the most vulnerable sectors of the population.
children and adolescents
As shown in the following figure, children and
By percentage
adolescents are the group most affected by
Adolescents
Total
Children
Children
poverty. While 45% of Peru’s total population
12 to 17
population
0 to 5
6 to 11
live in conditions of poverty, 60% of children
75
between the ages of 0 and 5 years are poor,
60
58
60
and 58% of children between the ages of 6
52
45
45
and 11 years are poor. In other words, the
27
poverty rate for children is approximately 15
30
24
18
percentage points higher than the poverty
16
15
rate for the overall population. The situation
0
of children living in extreme poverty is also
Poverty
Extreme poverty
startling, with rates reaching 27% for children
ages 0 to 5 years and 24% of children ages
source: Based on ENAHO 2006, INEI.
6 and 11 years. This means that the rate
of children in Peru living in extreme poverty are about 10 percentage points higher than the
extreme poverty rate for the total population (16%).
The main indicators for the situation of children and adolescents in Peru are presented below
by stages in their life cycle. The study includes disaggregated analysis based on the factors
such as areas of residence, maternal language and regional differences – all contributing to
the current inequality within the country.
2
Executive Summary
Indicators of the situation of children and adolescents, by life cycle
Indicator
National Urban
Rural
Early childhood (from conception to 5 years)
Prenatal care by health professionals1a/ 91%
97%
83%
Birth attended by health professionals1a/
71%
92%
45%
21
17
27
Mortality in children under five years (per thousand live births) 29
22
39
Chronic malnutrition rate in children under 5 years 27%
18%
33%
Proportion of children under 5 years with anaemia2/
50%
47%
54%
67%
76%
56%
7%
5%
10%
Infant mortality (per thousand live births)1b/
1b/
2/
Rate of attendance in preschool for children ages 3 to 5 years3/
Proportion of children between one month and 5 years lacking birth certificates 4/
Childhood (ages 6 to 11 years)
Proportion of children ages 10 to 14 years with anaemia2/
32%
27%
35%
Net enrolment of primary education in children ages 6 to 11 years3/
93%
94%
92%
Percentage of children ages 6 to 11 years enrolled in a grade that does
not correspond to their age3/
23%
15%
34%
Proportion of 6th grade children with mathematic skills below
the basic level for their corresponding grade5/
58%6/
55%7/
83%7/
Proportion of 6th grade children with communication skills below
the basic level for their corresponding grade5/
60%6/
56%7/
86%7/
Rate of children ages 6 to 11 years that work and study3/
18%
5%
35%
31%
39 %
Adolescence (ages 12 to 17 years)
Anaemia in adolescents ages 15 to 19 years2/
35%
Percentage of adolescents ages 15 to 19 years that
do not know how to prevent the HIV/AIDS virus1c/
34%
Net secondary education enrolment in adolescents
between ages 12 and 16 years3/
73%
84%
56 %
Percentage of adolescents between 12 and 16 years enrolled in a grade
that does not correspond to their age3/ 41%
30%
60 %
Proportion of adolescents in 5th grade of secondary school with
mathematic skills below the basic level for their corresponding grade5/
86%6/
92%7/
98 %7/
Proportion of adolescents in 11th grade with communication skills
below the basic level for their corresponding grade5/ 45%6/
48%7/
74 %7/
Proportion of adolescents between ages 14 and 17 years
who work when school is in session3/
50%
32%
80 %
Proportion of female adolescents between ages 15 and 20 years
that have experienced early maternity and childbirth4/
13%
10%
20 %
ENDES 2004-2006 report, INEI.
ENDES 2004-2006 report, INEI. The information on infant and child mortality is based on reports from 5 years prior to the survey.
ENDES 2004-2006 report, INEI. 25% of these adolescents have heard of HIV/AIDS, but do not know ways of preventing it. 9% report never having
heard of HIV/AIDS.
2/
MONIN 2004, INS - CENAN.
3/
Based on ENAHO 2006, INEI.
4/
Based on ENCO 2006. The definition of “rural area” in ENCO 2006 is more restricted than the one in ENAHO 2006. (See Annex 1).
5/
National Student Achievement Evaluation 2004 – MED.
6/
The national data include the results of students in State and non-State schools.
7/
The urban/rural data only includes the results from students enrolled in State school.
1a/
1b/
1c/
Situation of Children in Peru
3
Early Childhood
UNICEF/PERA/2002
(from conception to 5 years)
Early childhood is a fundamental stage in the growth1 and development2 of all human
beings. Growth and development are interdependent, and the most critical stage occurs
between conception and the first years of life – a period when the brain is formed
and develops at its fastest rate. If the adequate development of the brain is altered
during this period, it will produce consequences that affect the child throughout his
or her life.
In recent years, Peru has made important advances towards improving the health situation for
those in early childhood. According to the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS), prenatal
care and attended deliveries have significantly increased during the last decade, and infant
and child mortality rates have greatly reduced.
Figure 2
Births attended by health professionals
By percentage
National
Urban
100
80
60
40
20
0
DHS 1996
Source: Based on the DHS 1996 and DHS 2004-2006 reports, INEI.
1
2
4
“Growth” refers to the body height and weight and organs.
Development has to do with the programming and maturation of brain functions.
Executive Summary
DHS 2004-2006
Rural
Map 1
The Child Development Index
for early childhood
TUMBES
LORETO
PIURA
Region
CDI
Group
Callao
0.85
Tumbes
0.82
Lima
0.81
Tacna
0.81
Ica
0.80
Moquegua
0.78
Arequipa
0.72
Lambayeque
0.66
Madre de Dios
0.63
Piura
0.62
Puno
0.60
Junín
0.60
La Libertad
0.59
Pasco
0.59
Ancash
0.59
San Martín
0.58
Ucayali
0.57
Amazonas
0.56
Apurímac
0.55
Loreto
0.55
Cusco
0.53
Ayacucho
0.49
Cajamarca
0.49
Huánuco
0.46
Group 2: 0.62 - 0.72
Huancavelica
0.42
Group 3: 0.59 - 0.60
AMAZONAS
LAMBAYEQUE
CAJAMARCA
1
SAN
MARTÍN
LA LIBERTAD
ANCASH
UCAYALI
HUÁNUCO
2
PASCO
LIMA
JUNÍN
CALLAO
MADRE DE DIOS
3
HUANCAVELICA
ICA
CUSCO
APURÍMAC
AYACUCHO
PUNO
4
AREQUIPA
MOQUEGUA
TACNA
5
Source: Based on ENCO 2006, ENAHO 2006
and DHS 2004-2006 (INEI and MONIN 2004
of CENAN).
Group 1: Greater or equal to 0.78
Group 4: 0.55 - 0.58
Group 5: Lower or equal to 0.53
Concerning the relative situation between regions in regards to childhood growth and
development among children ages 0 to 5 years, it can be observed that Lima and Callao,
as well as other coastal regions such as Ica, Tacna, Tumbes and Moquegua, are among the
regions with the best relative performance in the CDI for early childhood. The Andean regions,
such as Cusco, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Huánuco and Huancavelica are the regions with the
weakest relative indicators.
Graph 3 shows that the central and southern sierra regions tend to fall into the last places
on the Child Development Index (CDI) scale, which is consistent with their relative positions
in terms of those living in poverty and extreme poverty.
Situation of Children in Peru
5
UNICEF/PERA-9276
Nationally, the proportion of pregnant women who attended at least one prenatal check-up
increased from 67% in 1996 to 91% in 2004-2006, and the deliveries attended by health
professionals rose from 56% to 71% during the same period. However, the following graph
shows that there are certain regions where around 60% of births are not attended by health
professionals, such as Huancavelica (59%), Cajamarca (59%) and Amazonas (57%).
Figure 3
Births NOT attended by health professionals
(doctor, midwife or nurse)
Of the total number of births taking place between 2004 and 2006
By percentage
100
75
50
25
Source: Based on the DHS 2004-2006 report, INEI.
6
Executive Summary
Ica
Calla
o
Puno
Huán
uco
Anca
sh
Cusc
o
La L
ibert
ad
Junín
San
Mart
ín
Ucay
ali
Ayac
ucho
Pasc
o
Apur
ímac
Piura
Lam
baye
que
Mad
re de
Dios
Areq
uipa
Tum
bes
Tacn
a
Moq
uegu
a
Lima
Huan
cave
lica
Caja
marc
a
Ama
zona
s
Lore
to
0
Huancavelica
59
Cajamarca
59
Amazonas
57
Loreto
56
Puno
53
Huánuco
49
Ancash
46
Cusco
41
La Libertad
36
Junín
33
San Martín
32
Ucayali
29
Ayacucho
27
Pasco
27
Apurímac
24
Piura
24
Lambayeque
21
Madre de Dios
18
Arequipa
17
Tumbes
9
Tacna
7
Moquegua
6
Lima
5
Ica
3
Callao
Perú
2
29
Infant and child mortality rates decreased from 43 and 59 per thousand live births in 1996 to
21 and 29 per thousand in 2004-2006, respectively. This reduction has been primarily due
to improvements in health services for those living in rural areas, which has notably reduced
the long standing gap in child health indicators between urban and rural areas.
Figure 4
Infant Mortality
Deaths occurring before the end of the first year of life, per thousand live births
80
60
40
Urban
Rural
Per thousand live births
National
20
0
DHS 1996
DHS 2000
DHS 2004-2006
Source: Based on the DHS 1996, DHS 2000 and DHS 2004-2006 reports, INEI.
The reports cover the 5 years preceding the survey.
UNICEF/PERA-9146
Despite these positive changes in the reduction of infant and child mortality rates, there
still remain health discrepancies. Examples such as the high prevalence of chronic child
malnutrition, insufficient attendance in preschool education, the proportion of children lacking
birth certificates, and the high incidence of family violence, among others, all continue to be
challenges for the country.
Situation of Children in Peru
7
Chronic malnutrition among children under five years has remained relatively constant at a
rate of approximately 25% for the past 10 years. The current government aims to reduce
this percentage by at least 9 points by 2011. The seriousness of child malnutrition becomes
evident upon observing regional differences, which shows that more than 30% of children
between 0 and 5 years in 9 different regions suffer from chronic malnutrition. Huancavelica
is the most alarming case, where almost half of the children living in the region are reported
to be undernourished.
Figure 5
Chronic malnutrition and extreme poverty in children ages 0 to 5 years
By percentage
Chronic malnutrition
Extreme poverty
100
80
60
40
20
0
a
s
a
a
a co ho ue ín co ca ac ad co no ali sh to as ra tín os ua pa
i
n
ic
i
m Ic be
cn
el ánu cuc yeq Ju us ar rím ert Pas Pu cay nca ore zon Piu ar D ueg qu Li
m
v
Ta
m
C
L
b
e
M
e
u
u Li
a
a u ya ba
U A
q
r
a
d
j
T
p
c
n
o A
m
H A m
n
A
Ca A La
Sa dre M
ua
a
La
H
M
Huancavelica
Huánuco
Ayacucho
Junín
Lambayeque
Cusco
Cajamarca
Apurímac
La Libertad
Pasco
Puno
Ucayali
Ancash
Loreto
Piura
Amazonas
San Martín
Madre de Dios
Moquegua
Arequipa
Lima
Ica
Tumbes
Tacna
Perú
49
41
40
39
39
38
36
33
32
30
30
30
26
25
25
23
21
21
20
17
16
13
12
9
27
88
65
59
23
18
35
42
62
35
42
58
32
31
44
18
28
26
6
6
6
4
3
1
5
30
Source: Based on ENAHO 2006 (INEI) and the MONIN 2004 report (INS-CENAN).
At the regional level, chronic malnutrition and poverty rates have a certain statistical
relationship, but are not always necessarily correlated3. In regions such as Lambayeque and
Lima, there are more malnourished children between 0 and 5 years than there are children
who are living in extreme poverty4. In other regions such as Huancavelica and Huánuco,
however, there are children living in conditions of extreme poverty but who are not reported
to be malnourished. Chronic malnutrition in Peru, therefore, appears to have other elements
that condition it, as opposed to solely poverty rates.
Nationally, 67% of children between the ages of 3 and 5 years are currently attending
preschool, however this statistic falls to 56% for children living in rural areas. These figures
become even lower when using the indicator of continuous attendance in preschool education
(from the age of three years)5, with 49% at the national level and only 36% for children living
in rural areas.
The definition of extreme poverty used by the INEI is the inability to cover the cost of basic food needs for the family. Poverty
refers to the household’s inability to cover the cost of basic food needs and other life-essential items like health services, children’s
education, transportation, housing, footwear, and other items.
4
In figure 5, the regions that have more malnourished children than children living in extreme poverty are ones where the extreme
poverty rate is below the chronic malnutrition rate.
5
The indicator for continued attendance in preschool education from the age of 3 years is used to determine effective insertion in
early education and not solely for attendance at a given moment in time.
3
8
Executive Summary
There are significant differences at the regional and provincial levels, regarding children’s
right to identity and birth registration among children under 5 years of age. In the regions of
Moquegua and Ancash, only 2% of children lack birth certificates, in contrast to Ucayali and
Loreto where 27% and 26% do not have this document. The provinces with the greatest
percentages of undocumented children are Atalaya (Ucayali) with 50% and Datem del Marañon
(Loreto) with more than 60%.
Figure 6
Provinces with the highest proportion of children lacking birth certificates
Between 1 month and 5 years of age
By percentage
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
ui Ama
zon
as
Mar
I
n
c
a-H
isca
l Ra
u
á
nuc
món
o
Cas
tilla
- Lo
Caja
reto
bam
ba Caja
mar
ca
Uca
yali
- Lo
Cor
reto
one
l Po
rtillo
- Uc
aya
Oxa
li
pam
pa Pas
Hua
co
lgay
oc Caja
mar
Alto
ca
Ama
zon
as Lore
to
May
nas
- Lo
reto
Pad
re A
bad
- Uc
aya
li
Tala
ra Piur
Pac
a
hite
a-H
u
ánu
San
co
Mar
cos
- Ca
j
a
m
Man
arca
u-M
adre
de D
ios
Tum
bes
- Tu
mbe
Ferr
eña
s
fe Lam
bay
equ
e
anq
dorc
Pue
uen
Req
rto
to
a-L
oret
o
li
s-U
cay
a
Lore
Puru
ali
a-P
uno
Cara
bay
- Uc
ay
laya
Ata
to Lore
Con
Dat
em
Del
Mar
añó
n-L
oret
o
0
Source: Based on the ENCO 2006, INEI.
In terms of domestic violence, 37% of mothers with children under five years old reported
having suffered some kind of physical violence in the hands of their current or latest partner.
As high as 11% of mothers with children under fiver years old reported having suffered
physical aggression at least once during their pregnancy.
Situation of Children in Peru
9
(6 to 11 years)
UNICEF/PERA-9587
Childhood
During childhood, the dimensions of education and protection of children’s rights take
on a greater relevance during development. It is a stage when the physical, intellectual,
social and emotional capacities acquired in early childhood are consolidated. This
does not mean that the aspects related to health and nutrition cease to be important,
since a child needs adequate nutrition and health in order to be able to function in
other areas. For example, several studies show that malnutrition and the deficit of
micronutrients (iron, zinc, iodine and vitamin A) limit children’s capacity to learn,
generating difficulties in the use of language, memory, concentration and overall
classroom participation. In other words, child malnutrition negatively affects children’s
school performance and abilities (CEPAL-UNICEF, 2006).
UNICEF/PERA-3531
The main health problems of children in this age group are anaemia and malnutrition. At the
national level, 32% of Peruvian children between the ages of 10 and 14 have anaemia, with
significant differences at the regional and provincial levels. Pasco has the highest anaemia
rate among children of this age, at 52%, followed by Puno at 49%, while San Martín and
Lambayeque have lower anaemia rates of 12% and 14%, respectively.
10
Executive Summary
Map 2
The Child Development Index
for children
TUMBES
LORETO
PIURA
Region
CDI
Tacna
0.88
Callao
0.88
Lima
0.87
Moquegua
0.86
Arequipa
0.84
Ica
0.82
Tumbes
0.81
Lambayeque
0.78
La Libertad
0.70
Junín
0.69
Madre de Dios
0.68
Piura
0.67
Ancash
0.67
Puno
0.67
San Martín
0.67
Cusco
0.63
Pasco
0.63
Amazonas
0.61
Ucayali
0.61
Loreto
0.60
Apurímac
0.60
Ayacucho
0.59
Group
AMAZONAS
LAMBAYEQUE
CAJAMARCA
1
SAN
MARTÍN
LA LIBERTAD
ANCASH
UCAYALI
HUÁNUCO
PASCO
2
LIMA
JUNÍN
CALLAO
MADRE DE DIOS
3
HUANCAVELICA
ICA
CUSCO
APURÍMAC
AYACUCHO
PUNO
4
AREQUIPA
MOQUEGUA
5
TACNA
Cajamarca
0.56
Group 1: Greater or equal to 0.81
Huánuco
0.55
Group 2: 0.68 - 0.78
Huancavelica
0.46
Group 3: 0.67 - 0.67
Source: Based on ENCO 2006, ENAHO 2006
(INEI) and the Census of height among school
children 2005, Ministry of Education.
Group 4: 0.61 - 0.63
Group 5: Lower or equal to 0.60
As in the case among the indicators included in the Child Development Index (CDI) for early
childhood, Lima, Callao, Tumbes, Moquegua, Tacna Ica, and Arequipa, stand out as the regions
with the best relative performance. Among the regions with the weakest relative performance,
again we find Huancavelica, Huánuco, Cajamarca, Ayacucho, Apurímac and Loreto.
The relative situation of the regions with regard to the development of children between the
ages of 6 and 11 years is very similar to the development of children between the ages of 0
and 5 years. However, these figures differ in terms of relative regional performance in the
sense that the CDIs for children coincides more strongly with the ranking of the environment
and protection of rights, while in early childhood it coincides more with the dimensions of
learning and education.
Situation of Children in Peru
11
Concerning chronic malnutrition among children between the ages of 6 and 9 years,
Huancavelica is the region with the highest rate at 53%, which is more than double the
national average of 22%. The region with the lowest rate of chronic malnutrition is Tacna, at
only 4%. In the 10 provinces with the highest chronic malnutrition rates, values range from
52% to 62%, with the five provinces with the highest rates being Yarowilca (Huánuco) at
62%, Angaraes (Huancavelica) at 61%, Acobamba (Huancavelica) at 57%, and Cotabambas
(Apurímac) and Condorcanqui (Amazonas) both at 56%.
Figure 7
Chronic malnutrition rate in children between ages 6 and 9 years, at the provincial level
By percentage
64
62
62
61
60
58
57
56
56
56
55
54
53
53
53
52
52
50
48
46
Yarowilca
(Huánuco)
Angaraes
(Huancavelica)
Acobamba
(Huancavelica)
Cotabambas Condorcanqui Churcampa
(Apurímac)
(Amazonas)
(Huancavelica)
Sánchez
Carrión
Tayacaja
(Huancavelica)
Dos de Mayo
(Huánuco)
Huancabamba
(Piura)
(La Libertad)
Source: Census of height among school children 2005, Ministry of Education.
One of the areas with the most advancement in terms of Peruvian education has been primary
school enrolment coverage. At the national level, 93% of all children between 6 and 11
years attend primary school. However, 4% still do not go to school, which is equivalent to
approximately 145,000 children6.
With regard to over-age enrolment, 23% of Peruvian children between ages 6 and 11 years
are enrolled in lower grades than the one corresponding to their age. This percentage is
almost twice as high among children whose maternal language is Quechua (43%) and native
Amazonian languages (45%). For children who live in situations of extreme poverty, this
figure rises to 42%.
Of the 7% of children ages 6-11 years not enrolled in primary school, 3% attend education at another level and 4% do not attend
school.
6
12
Executive Summary
UNICEF/PERA-5133
In terms of school performance,
60% of sixth-grade primary school
students are below the basic level for
their corresponding grade in terms
of communication skills, and 58%
are below their grade in terms of
mathematics. These figures vary greatly
depending on regions: in Tacna 32% of
students score below the basic level
for their grade in math, as compared
to 90% in Loreto. For communication
skills, 38% of children living in Arequipa
and Lima score below the basic reading
comprehension level, as compared to
85% in Apurímac. Tacna, Moquegua,
Lima, Callao and Arequipa are the
regions with the best results in these
areas, while children living in Apurímac,
Cusco, Loreto, Ucayali and Ayacucho
score the worst. The 4 regions with the
greatest percentages of the population
speaking native maternal languages are
among the ones that have the lowest
performance results.
Figure 8
Children in 6th grade of primary school grade with skills below the basic
level for their corresponding grade
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
By percentage
Below one grade
Below more than one grade
Below one grade or more
100
80
60
40
20
Li
m
T a
M ac
oq na
ue
A gu
re a
qu
ip
a
Ic
M
a
C
ad
re alla
o
d
La e D
io
L
La ibe s
m rt
ba ad
ye
Tu que
m
b
A es
nc
as
h
Pi
ur
a
Ju
ní
P n
A as
m co
az
Sa o
n nas
M
H artí
uá n
Ca nu
ja co
m
ar
H Uc c a
ua
ay
nc
a
av li
el
ic
a
A Pun
ya
o
cu
ch
Cu o
sc
Lo o
A ret
pu o
rím
ac
0
Lima
Tacna
Moquegua
Arequipa
Ica
Callao
Madre de Dios
La Libertad
Lambayeque
Tumbes
Ancash
Piura
Junín
Pasco
Amazonas
San Martín
Huánuco
Cajamarca
Ucayali
Huancavelica
Puno
Ayacucho
Cusco
Loreto
Apurímac
Perú
38
40
39
38
52
43
55
57
54
65
61
61
62
66
84
73
75
78
80
81
77
82
82
82
85
60
Source: Based on the National Student Achievement Evaluation 2004 – UMC/MED.
Situation of Children in Peru
13
With respect to child labour, at the national
level in 2006 around 20% of Peruvian
children between 6 and 11 years work, a
figure that rises to almost 40% in rural areas.
While 8% of children from non-poor families
study and work, the percentage is 4 times
higher among children living in situations of
extreme poverty (32%).
Figure 9
Child labour by poverty level
By percentage
Study and do not work
Study and work
100
91
81
80
60
40
55
32
With regard to water and sanitation services,
16
20
the poorest regions tend to also be the ones
8
0
with the lowest access to these services.
Extremely poor
Poor
Non-poor
In Loreto and Ucayali, 74% and 68% of
children ages 0 to 11 years currently lack Source: Based on the ENAHO 2006, by INEI. Reports for April through
December.
access to improved drinking water sources,
respectively. 86% and 80% of children under 11 years in Huancavelica and Ucayali lack
access to improved sanitation facilities. In contrast, in Tacna and Moquegua, only 8% and
9% lack access to improved water sources, and in Lima and Callao only 18% and 15% of
children have no access to improved sanitation sources.
Figure 10
Children between 0 and 11 years lacking access to improved sources of
water or sanitation
By percentage
Have no access to improved
sources of water or sanitation
Have no improved
water source
Have no improved
sanitation sources
100
80
60
40
20
0
i
al
to
ca as no ra tín os ín co ac ad ho es ue sh pa Ica llao ima gua cna
co uco li
re ay a s
ar on Pu Piu ar Di Jun us rím ert uc mb eq ca qui
e
Ca L que Ta
C u ib ac u ay An re
Lo Uc P uán av jam az
M e
p L y
T b
n ed
o
m
H nc a
A
A
a
a
A
m
M
S dr
L
ua C A
a
La
H
M
ca
Source: Based on ENCO 2006, INEI.
14
Executive Summary
Loreto
67 74 77
Ucayali
61 68 80
Pasco
54 65 68
Huánuco
52 57 71
Huancavelica
51 53 86
Cajamarca
49 53 77
Amazonas
48 55 71
Puno
48 50 69
Piura
38 41 65
San Martín
37 45 63
Madre de Dios
34 36 72
Junín
32 36 53
Cusco
32 36 57
Apurímac
30 34 68
La Libertad
28 32 52
Ayacucho
28 35 57
Tumbes
24 36 42
Lambayeque
23 32 36
Ancash
22 24 57
Arequipa
14 16 36
Ica
14 17 40
Callao
12 21 15
Lima
12 18 18
Moquegua
7
9 31
Tacna
7
8 22
UNICEF/PERA/2006/Ouvrard
Adolescents
(from 12 to 17 years)
The period of adolescence is one of life’s most complex transitions, surpassed only
by early childhood considering rapid rates of growth and change. During this stage,
adolescents define their personality, establish their emotional and psychological
independence, learn to understand and experience their sexuality, and reflect on
their role in society. The physical and emotional changes that take place in this
period consolidate and often define the characteristics the adolescent will face during
adulthood (UNICEF, 2002).
In Peru anaemia is a serious problem among adolescents as well as for younger generations.
At the national level, anaemia affects 32% of young people ages 10 to 14 years, 35%
ages 15 to 19 years and 39% of adolescents living in the rural area. The differences in the
prevalence of anaemia among adolescents become more evident when we compare individual
regions. San Martín is the region with the lowest rate of adolescents with anemia (20%),
which is less than half the prevalence rate of anemia among adolescents who live in Pasco
and Puno (50%).
Figure 11
Anaemia in adolescents between ages 15 and 19 years
By percentage
60
45
30
15
Ic
a
A Piu
ya ra
La cu
m ch
ba o
ye
M Tu que
ad m
re be
s
d
Sa e D
n ios
M
ar
tín
Pa
sc
o
Pu
H no
uá
nu
U co
ca
ya
li
M Jun
oq ín
ue
gu
a
Ca Lim
ja a
m
a
A rca
nc
A as
pu h
La rím
Li ac
be
rt
a
Ta d
cn
Lo a
A reto
re
A qui
m pa
H az
ua o
nc na
av s
el
ic
Cu a
sc
o
0
Pasco
Puno
Huánuco
Ucayali
Junín
Moquegua
Lima
Cajamarca
Ancash
Apurímac
La Libertad
Tacna
Loreto
Arequipa
Amazonas
Huancavelica
Cusco
Ica
Piura
Ayacucho
Lambayeque
Tumbes
Madre de Dios
San Martín
Perú
50
50
48
44
43
40
39
35
33
33
31
31
30
29
26
26
25
24
24
24
23
22
21
20
35
Source: Based on MONIN 2004, CENAN.
Situation of Children in Peru
15
Map 3
The Child Development Index
for adolescents
TUMBES
LORETO
PIURA
Region
CDI
Tacna
0.75
Group
Arequipa
0.74
Tumbes
0.74
Ica
0.72
Moquegua
0.71
Lambayeque
0.70
Lima
0.70
Madre de Dios
0.69
Callao
0.67
Piura
0.64
Junín
0.64
LIMA
La Libertad
0.64
CALLAO
Cusco
0.60
San Martín
0.59
Ancash
0.59
Ucayali
0.59
Apurímac
0.58
Pasco
0.58
Amazonas
0.57
Puno
0.57
Ayacucho
0.52
Loreto
0.52
Huancavelica
0.52
Cajamarca
0.51
Group 2: 0.67 - 0.71
Huánuco
0.48
Group 3: 0.59 - 0.64
AMAZONAS
LAMBAYEQUE
1
CAJAMARCA
SAN
MARTÍN
LA LIBERTAD
2
ANCASH
UCAYALI
HUÁNUCO
PASCO
JUNÍN
MADRE DE DIOS
3
HUANCAVELICA
ICA
CUSCO
APURÍMAC
AYACUCHO
PUNO
4
AREQUIPA
MOQUEGUA
5
Source: Based on ENCO 2006, ENAHO 2006
(INEI) and MONIN 2004 (CENAN).
TACNA
Group 1: Greater or equal to 0.72
Group 4: 0.57 - 0.58
Group 5: Lower or equal to 0.52
Regions where the Child Development Index (CDI) for adolescents reflects the weakest
performance are Huánuco, Cajamarca, Huancavelica, Loreto and Ayacucho. On the other
hand, the ones with the best performance are Tacna, Arequipa, Tumbes and Ica.
The ranking of the CDI for adolescents is quite similar to the ranking of indicators in the
educational dimension, and less similar to that of health and nutrition indicators. This fact
contrasts with the children’s CDI, where the overall index ranking is more similar to the
rankings of the environment and protection of rights.
16
Executive Summary
There is a high incidence of young people in Peru between the ages of 20 and 29 years with
HIV/AIDS. Once the HIV virus is transmitted, several years can pass before it is manifested
as AIDS, so a significant proportion of these youths may have contracted the virus during
adolescence. In this context, it is important to note that according to the DHS 2004-2006,
25% of young women between 15-19 years only know that HIV/AIDS exists, but are unaware
of how to prevent infection. Almost 10% of this same population say they have never heard
of HIV/AIDS.
Net secondary coverage of adolescents
between 12 and 16 years1/
Percentage of adolescents enrolled in secondary with respect
to the total adolescent population
Secondary
school enrolment
Poverty level
Extremely poor
49
Poor
70
Non-poor
84
Total
73
Maternal language
Spanish
76
Quechua 57
Aymara
72*
Other native languages
43*
Total
73
Source: Based on the INEI’s ENAHO 2006. Reports for April through
December.
1/
Asterisks indicate imprecise indicators.
* This indicator should be used with caution. Its relative standard error
(RSE) is greater than 10% and less than 30%.
UNICEF/PERA-3209
The enrolment rate of students in secondary
education is significantly lower than that of
primary school: 73% of adolescents between
the ages of 12 and 17 years are enrolled in
secondary education. Of the other 27%,
14% are in primary school and 13% are
not attending school. Again, wide gaps in
secondary school attendance can be observed
based on poverty levels and maternal language.
While 84% of non-poor students are enrolled in
secondary school, the attendance rate among
students who live in households of extreme
poverty is only 49%. 76% of adolescents with
Spanish as their maternal language are enrolled
in secondary level, versus 43% of students
whose maternal languages are Amazonian.
These figures represent a challenge to increase
secondary education opportunities at the
levels of infrastructure, equipment and teacher
training, especially for those students living in
rural areas.
Situation of Children in Peru
17
Only 57% of all adolescents in Peru between the ages of 17 and 19 years have finished
secondary education. While 62% of adolescents between the ages of 17 and 19 years with
Spanish as their maternal language have finished secondary education, only 25% of adolescents
whose maternal language is Quechua have finished. In terms of poverty rates, 71% of nonpoor adolescents have finished secondary education, as compared to 48% of young people
living in poor households and 22% living in households of extreme poverty.
Adolescents 17 to 19 years of age and youths between 20 and 21 years that
have finished secondary education1/
By percentage
Adolescents 17 to 19 years
Young people 20 to 21 years
who completed secondary school who completed secondary school
Area of residence
Urban
70
Rural
33
National
57
Poverty level
Extremely poor
22
Poor 48
Non-poor
71
Total
57
Maternal language
Spanish
62
Quechua
25*
Aymara
62*
Other native languages
22*
Total
57
Gender
Women
59
Men 56
Total
57
82
49
72
35 *
61
85
72
75
52
84
32 *
72
73
72
72
Source: Based on the INEI’s ENAHO 2006.
1/
Asterisks indicate imprecise indicators.
* This indicator should be used with caution. Its relative standard error (RSE) is greater than 10% and less than 30%.
Mathematics test results of students in 11th grade are homogeneously not at the level they
should be, with the percentage of students with tests results below the basic level ranging
from 71% (Tacna) and 97% (Uycali and Puno). The low learning achievement is observed more
seriously during secondary school. In Tacna and Moquegua, 32% and 33% of the students in
the 6th grade, respectively, scored below what is considered basic level in mathematics. These
figures increase to 71% and 83%, respectively, for students attending the 11th grade.
Among regions with more than 50% of their students below the basic level for communication
skills, ranked Puno (78%), Huancavelica (73%), Apurímac (63%), Cuzco (56%) and Ayacucho
(52%). These are the same regions that have the highest percentages of adolescents who
speak maternal languages other than Spanish. In the case of Huancavelica and Ayacucho,
they also have greater problems with over-age enrolment.
18
Executive Summary
Figure 12
Adolescents in the 11th grade with skills below the basic level for their
corresponding grade
MATHEMATICS
By percentage
Below one grade
Below more than one grade
Below one grade or more
100
80
60
40
20
Ta
cn
Ca a
M
oq llao
ue
A gu
re a
qu
ip
M
ad
Ju a
re
ní
de n
D
io
La Li s
Li ma
be
rt
La P ad
m as
ba co
ye
q
Cu ue
A
ya sco
cu
ch
o
Pi
Tu ura
A mb
m
az es
on
A as
nc
H as
u
h
Ca ánu
ja co
m
A arc
pu a
rím
ac
H
ua
nc Ica
a
Sa ve
n lic
M a
ar
t
Lo ín
re
to
Pu
n
U o
ca
ya
li
0
Tacna
Callao
Moquegua
Arequipa
Junín
Madre de Dios
Lima
La Libertad
Pasco
Lambayeque
Cusco
Ayacucho
Piura
Tumbes
Amazonas
Ancash
Huánuco
Cajamarca
Apurímac
Ica
Huancavelica
San Martín
Loreto
Puno
Ucayali
Perú
71
80
83
79
80
92
82
86
82
87
88
87
88
90
93
90
89
91
94
93
93
97
95
97
97
86
Source: Based on the National Student Achievement Evaluation 2004 – UMC/MED.
Figure 13
Children and adolescents between ages 6 and 17 years who are enrolled in grades that do
not correspond to their age by work situation1/
By percentage
Work and are enrolled in grades that
do not correspond to their age
Do not work and are enrolled in grades that
do not correspond to their age
100
80
60
40
20
ní
n
Li
m
de a
D
A i os
re
qu
ip
a
Ta
cn
M
oq
a
ue
gu
a
no
Ju
o
sc
o
sc
Pa
Ic
a
Cu
Pu
M
ad
re
Sa
n
M
ar
tín
La Lo
m ret
ba
o
ye
qu
A
ya
e
c
Ca uch
o
ja
m
ar
ca
U
ca
ya
li
A
nc
as
h
C
La all
a
o
Li
b
H
ua ert
nc ad
av
el
H ica
uá
nu
co
Pi
u
Tu ra
m
be
A
m
az s
on
A
pu as
rím
ac
0
Source: Based on ENAHO 2006, INEI. Reports April through December.
1/
Over-age enrolment is defined as the ratio of students matriculated into a lower grade than expected for their age. In the case of a 17-year-old
adolescents, this would mean not having completed secondary education. Work is defined based on module 200 of the ENAHO 2006 (in contrast to the
data utilized for the analysis of work among adolescents between 14 and 17, in tables 44, 45a and 45b, which was possible to perform with detailed
information from the employment module). For more information on the comparability of these reports, see Rodríguez and Vargas (2006).
Situation of Children in Peru
19
In Peru, 50% of adolescents between the ages 14 and 17 years work, a figure more than
double the rate for children between the ages 6 and 11 years. Among adolescents that work
there are significant differences based on residence: in urban areas 32% of adolescents work,
compared with 80% who live in rural areas. In almost all regions, over-age enrolment for
children between 6 and 17 years is greater for those who work than for children who only study.
San Martín is the region with the greatest difference in the percentage of over-age enrolment
between those who both work and study (82%) and those that only study (39%).
With regard to pregnancy among adolescents, 13% of Peruvian females between the ages
of 15 and 20 years have given birth to at least one child – a figure that in regions like
Loreto and Ucayali increases to 27% and 25%, respectively. Adolescent pregnancy is more
common among women between the ages 15 of 20 years with native Amazonian maternal
languages like Shipibo-Conibo, Aguaruna and Asháninka, as compared to adolescent women
with Quechua, Aymara or Spanish as their maternal languages.
Figure 14
Adolescent mothers between ages 15 and 20 years, by maternal language1/
By percentage (of the total number of adolescent who share the same maternal language)
50
40
30
20
10
0
Shipibo
Conibo
(0.1%)
Aguaruna
(0.2%)
Asháninka
(0.3%)
Other native
languages
(0.4%)
Aymara
(1.2%)
Source: Based on ENCO 2006, INEI.
1/
Under each linguistic group is listed that group’s percentage amongst the total national population.
20
Executive Summary
Quechua
(11%)
Spanish
(86.6%)
(*) Relative standar error (EER) between 10% and less than 30%. The percentages associated with these should be read with caution if the number of cases impedes to compare between groups with close percentages. In other words, two
different percentages that are very close, however they can be statistically equal.
(**) Relative standar error (EER) equal or greater than 30%. The percentages associated with these cells present confidence levels that are not acceptable.
1/
Based on ENAHO 2006, INEI.
2/
Based on ENCO 2006, INEI.
3/
Taken from Final Report MONIN 2004 of CENAN. "n.d." signifies data not available.