Livelihood and migration patterns at different altitudes in the Central Highlands of Peru

Figures & data

Figure 1. Location of the research site (map prepared by Milan & Rossow).

Figure 2. Total rainfall and number of rainy days per year from the Shullcas meteorological station. Rain years are calculated from July to the following June.

Source: Authors’ elaboration of SENAMHI data.

Figure 3. Average monthly rainfall of the 2009/10 and 2010/11 seasons versus long term average from the Shullcas meteorological station.

Source: Authors’ elaboration of SENAMHI data.

Table 1. Livelihood and mobility patterns by altitude – percentages refer to answers to the household survey.

Lowland (3200 to 3600 m.a.s.l.)	Highland (above 3900 m.a.s.l.)
Agricultural^a economic activity is the most important for 23% and second most important for 27% of the households	Agricultural economic activity is the most important for 54% and second most important for 62% of the households
Agricultural production in small land holdings (less than 1 ha) – individual land	Cattle herding in pastures (more than 50 ha) – communal land
Most of the population concentrated is in a small geographical area	Population is scattered and often isolated from the central part of the community
Huancayo can be reached in 20/30 minutes	Huancayo can be reached in more than one hour (access to the city depends on the location of the household)
Minority of households facing food shortages at least once in the last 5 years (36%)	Slight majority (53%) of households facing food shortages at least once in the last 5 years
Very low percentage of households using migration as a coping strategy in times of food scarcity (9%)	Almost one-third of households using migration as a coping strategy in times of food scarcity (30%)
Three main responses at the household level when food/money to buy food is insufficient (in descending order):• Diversify activities to increase alternative income• Reduce expenditure• Rely on external help	Three main responses at the household level when food/money to buy food is insufficient (in descending order): • Diversify activities to increase alternative income• Migration of household member(s)• Reduce household food consumption
Main places of migration destination: Lima and Peruvian central jungle	Main places of migration destination: Lima, US (men) and Argentina (women)
Expectation of youth for the future: staying in the place of origin	Expectation of youth for the future: settling in the big city

Source: Household survey and PRA sessions.

^a‘Agricultural’ meaning any activity related to farming, cattle herding and fishing.