- Foreign Born Percentage
- relatively small percentage of total population
Good to know
Good to Know
- Arequipa's foreign resident community, while present, remains a small fraction of the total population; the city absorbs significant regional migration from Peru but is less internationally prominent than Lima.
- Venezuelan and Colombian migrants typically settle in Arequipa for economic opportunity and affordability rather than tourism or retirement, making the expat mix distinct from coastal resort cities.
- North American and European expats tend to be longer-term residents (retirees, remote workers) rather than transient visitors, creating a more stable international community.
- Arequipa's tech ecosystem is maturing beyond Lima's shadow; the city is establishing itself as a specialized hub for mining-tech and software development, with government initiatives and university programs actively building tech talent.
- Foreign property ownership is straightforward in Arequipa with no restrictions (unlike areas within 50 km of Peru's borders), making real estate investment accessible for expats.
Population
- Rank In Peru
- 2nd most populous city
- Estimate 2025
- 1195700
- Estimate 2026
- 1188831
- Year Of Estimate
- 2026
Expat Profile
- Composition
- Mix of regional Latin American working professionals/entrepreneurs and Western expats (retirees, remote workers, digital nomads)
- Settlement Type
- More settled, longer-term resident profile compared to purely tourist-oriented locations like Cusco
- Growth Comparison
- More modest than Cusco's tourism-driven foreign population but more stable
Foreign Born Percentage
relatively small percentage of total population
Business And Tech Presence
- Tier
- Secondary regional hub
- Status
- Emerging as significant tech and innovation center
- Coworking
- Limited compared to Lima but present
- Market Position
- Growing talent pipeline; universities developing computer science and engineering programs. Recognized as nearshore software hub with competitive pricing and specialized expertise in mining-related technologies.
Key Sectors
- Mining tech (predictive analytics, equipment failure prevention)
- Software development and nearshoring
- AI-driven applications
- University-based incubation
Institutions
- Education
- Universities increasingly focusing on tech education and producing skilled talent
Incubators
- KAMAN (incubator of Universidad Católica San Pablo de Arequipa)
- University of San Agustín (UNSA) affiliated incubators
Notable Startups
- Pacific AI Dynamics (mining-tech, equipment failure prevention)
Notable Foreign Nationalities
Venezuela
- Settlement Pattern
- scattered throughout Arequipa and Peru
- Description
- largest single nationality; primarily economic migrants seeking opportunity and lower living costs compared to Lima
Colombia
- Description
- significant migrant population; economic opportunity focused
North America and Europe
- Description
- expats attracted by lifestyle, climate, and proximity to natural attractions like Colca Canyon; includes retirees, remote workers, and digital nomads
Argentina, USA, Spain, China
- Description
- notable but smaller communities
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this local demographics research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Arequipa
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.