Peru is the weakest of the three Andean neighbours on LGBTQ+ rights (Equaldex 53/100; legal index 62, public opinion 44). Same-sex marriage is not recognised, there is no nationwide civil-union framework, and legal gender change is possible only through the courts. The direction has recently been negative: a 2024 government decree classified trans identities as a 'mental illness' (widely condemned), and 2025 legislative proposals to 'eliminate the concept of gender' were flagged by Human Rights Watch and UN experts (OHCHR).

Peru is classified as a 'hybrid regime' by the EIU (5.69, 78th) — the weakest democracy score of the three Andean countries. It has cycled through six presidents in a few years, and press freedom has collapsed: RSF ranks Peru 131st, down 53 places since 2022, citing legal harassment of journalists, smear campaigns and legislative pressure on independent media.

Peru ranks 57th globally on the WEF Gender Gap Index (0.735), with its score slipping in 2025. Femicide and gender-based violence rates are high, and reproductive rights are restricted. Civil society is strong and long-standing: the Centro de la Mujer Peruana Flora Tristán (since 1979) is one of Latin America's most established feminist organisations. Abortion is legal only when the mother's life or health is at risk.

Peru scores 0.48 on the WJP Rule of Law Index (93rd) — the lowest of the three and declining. Corruption is endemic (multiple recent presidents have faced prosecution), judicial independence is fragile, and enforcement is inconsistent.

This is Peru's hardest dimension. The US Department of Labor's 2024 Findings rate Peru 'Moderate Advancement' — a tier below Argentina and Chile — and document that 18.7% of children aged 5–14 are working (around 1.2 million). Hazardous child labour is recorded in gold mining, brick-making, fishing and logging, alongside worst forms including commercial sexual exploitation.