In a short period, Lima, Peru, has become home to the largest population of Venezuelan migrants in a single city worldwide. Upon settling in Lima, many seek employment in the city’s vast informal economy. This sector, comprising millions of small businesses and individuals, operates largely undocumented or underreported, often without legal protections or rights.
Many work in the informal economy primarily due to factors relating to immigration status, limited or unrecognized education, and necessity. This widespread informality, in turn, contributes to higher poverty and unemployment among Venezuelans residing in Peru—compared to the Peruvian national average.
This project explores the avenues many Venezuelans permanently residing in Lima are taking to navigate Lima's informal economy. Reporting Fellow Luis Felipe Fuentes reports on the personal stories and challenges of migrant laborers living in low-income districts of Lima and Callao, further exploring the pivotal role of local groups and researchers in developing practical solutions and assisting the creation of employment and financial opportunities for the Venezuelan community in Lima.
