Lima Flag

Lima

Country:
Peru
Continent:
South America

Lima's 2025 population is now estimated at 11,517,300. In 1950, the population of Lima was 1,065,890. Lima has grown by 155,400 in the last year, which represents a 1.37% annual change. These population estimates and projections come from the latest revision of the UN World Urbanization Prospects . These estimates represent the Urban agglomeration of Lima, which typically includes Lima's population in addition to adjacent suburban areas.

11.5M
Total Population
155.4K 1.37%
Growth
Yes
Capital of Peru?

Lima Population

Lima Overview

Lima is the largest city in Peru, and the country’s capital. The seaport Callao is considered part of the city of Lima and forms the Lima Metropolitan Area. The 2014 projected population for Lima is 9,751,717, which makes Lima the fifth largest city in the Americas. Lima’s metro area is also the 27th most populous in the world.

Lima’s estimated population is 9,751,717, and these almost 10 million people live in 43 districts in Metropolitan Lima. The seaport of Callao also has six additional communities, and each of these districts have their own mayor and municipality. In addition to each district having its own Mayor, there is the Mayor of Lima who is in charge of all of the districts and municipalities. The regions are comprised of 30 districts that are within the city and 13 outer areas - which are still under the authority of the Mayor of Lima. Metropolitan Lima stretches north to south for 80 km along the Pacific Ocean, and from west to east for 40 km from the Pacific to the Andes Mountains. Since the ocean and mountains bind the city, further expansion is difficult.

The city of Lima covers a considerable amount of ground area, with 2,672.3 square kilometers (1,031.8 sq mi) available in the city itself. The population density is around 3000 people per kilometer or more than 7000 people per mile.

Lima Demographics

The population of Lima is a variety of ethnic groups. The most populous ethnic group is the Mestizos. These people are of European, mostly Italian and Spanish, and indigenous descent. The second largest ethnic groups are the European Peruvians, and they are of Spanish, German, Italian, Croatian, British, or French origin. There are several minority groups in Lima, including the indigenous population. There are also Afro-Peruvians who have descended from people brought over to the Americas as slaves. In addition to Jews of both European and Middle Eastern Descent, there are also Asians from China and Japan. The largest Chinese community in Latin America is located in Lima.

Both the Italian and Chinese immigrants have heavily influenced cuisine in Lima. Two of Lima’s areas, San Isidro and Miraflores, have many Italian restaurants called trattorias. Calle Capon, Lima’s Chinatown, has many restaurants that offer Chinese food with a Peruvian spin. Because of the different cuisines that have come together in Lima, it is known as the Gastronomical Capital of the Americas.

Lima Population Growth

Lima was founded in 1535 and comprised only 100 city blocks around a plaza, but by 1925 the population was over a quarter of a million people. The population then doubled to over half a million people by 1940. Lima’s growth became even more rapid after WWII when poor Andeans moved to Lima hoping to find a better life. After that, migration exploded because of industrialization and modernization. People were not only migrating from the Andes Mountains but were also finding their way from foreign countries as well. By 1961, the country had over 1.2 million people, and in the next 20 years, Lima reached over 3.5 million. By 1997, 6 million people were living in the city, and growth continues to push Lima towards 10 million inhabitants.

Other Cities in Peru

City
2025 Pop. ↓
Growth
Arequipa983,715
Trujillo929,188
Callao813,264
Chiclayo678,933
Cusco512,636
Piura508,957
Iquitos504,609
Chimbote410,593
Huancayo410,265
Tacna347,494
Pucallpa310,750
Santiago de Surco251,648
Ica246,844
Juliaca245,675
Sullana160,789
Chincha Alta153,076
Huanuco147,959
Ayacucho140,033
Cajamarca135,000
Puno116,552
Tumbes109,223
Talara99,074
Chosica88,606
Huaraz86,934
Cerro de Pasco78,910
Chulucanas68,835
San Isidro68,309
Huaral62,174
Pisco61,869
Catacaos57,304
Paita56,151
Abancay55,111
Huacho54,545
Moquegua54,517
Ilo53,476
Tingo Maria53,177
Jaen52,493
Tarma51,350
Barranca46,290
Moyobamba44,276
Lambayeque43,710
Picsi43,610
Chepen41,992
Yurimaguas41,827
Huancavelica41,576
Sana39,200
Tambopata38,966
Juanjui37,715
Puerto Maldonado37,543
La Union34,834
Ferrenafe34,357
Sicuani33,575
La Oroya33,345
Chocope32,370
Nuevo Imperial32,344
Imperial32,344
Tambo Grande30,033
La Rinconada29,678
Pacasmayo29,165
Tocache29,029
Mollendo28,953
Chaupimarca28,666
Paramonga27,631
La Peca27,045
Chancay26,958
Hualmay26,658
Monsefu25,707
Marcavelica25,645
San Vicente de Canete25,517
Querecotillo25,396
Guadalupe25,376
Santa Ana25,145
Rioja25,057
Laredo24,691
Nazca23,556
Yanacancha23,175
Sechura23,020
Moche22,581
Santiago de Cao21,982
Huamachuco21,768
Paijan21,128
Jauja21,057
Viru20,774
Huaura20,723
Bagua Grande20,382
Chachapoyas20,279
Ayaviri19,310
Huanta18,627
Uchiza17,742
La Breita17,693
Andahuaylas17,444
Mala17,260
Zarumilla16,907
Camana16,434
San Pedro de Lloc16,250
Huarmey16,172
Yunguyo16,140
Chongoyape16,061
Ilave16,033
San Clemente15,815
Pimentel15,552
Satipo15,532
Minas de Marcona15,478
Junin15,320
Bellavista15,231
Coishco15,083
Chicama14,915
Saposoa14,894
Santa Maria14,853
Tabalosos14,744
San Ramon14,708
Celendin14,660
Chota14,240
Salinera Colan14,210
Puerto Santa14,066
Ascope14,015
Contamana13,885
Supe13,719
Lamas13,693
Eten13,693
Motupe13,681
Pativilca13,583
Cajabamba13,486
Bambamarca13,351
Azangaro13,290
Vice12,915
Chilca12,884
Atuncolla12,654
Pueblo Nuevo12,471
Morropon12,307
Zorritos12,261
Oxapampa12,000
Puerto Supe11,450
Concepcion11,330
Villa Tupac Amaru11,159
Caras10,926
Soritor10,858
Santa Rosa10,625
Puquio10,491
Santiago10,449
Otuzco10,134
Salaverry10,066

Sources

  1. World Population Prospects (2024 Revision) - United Nations population estimates and projections.

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