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.
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.
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 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.
| City | 2025 Pop. ↓ | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Lima | 11,517,300 | 1.37% |
| Arequipa | 983,715 | 1.28% |
| Trujillo | 929,188 | 1.37% |
| Chiclayo | 678,933 | 1.27% |
| Cusco | 512,636 | 1.52% |
| Piura | 508,957 | 1.35% |
| Iquitos | 504,609 | 1.37% |
| Chimbote | 410,593 | 1.17% |
| Huancayo | 410,265 | 1.24% |
| Tacna | 347,494 | 1.47% |