Entrepreneurial Informality in Peruvian Coastal Cities: A Comparative Analysis of Trujillo, Piura, Chiclayo, and Ica

Abstract

This study examines entrepreneurial informality in Peru’s coastal cities—Trujillo, Piura, Chiclayo, and Ica—using a comparative approach. Informality was found to be linked to key sectors in each city: tourism in Trujillo, agriculture in Piura, commerce in Chiclayo, and vitiviniculture in Ica. Common factors such as excessive bureaucracy, low financial education, and structural inequality perpetuate this phenomenon, while differentiators like Piura’s arid climate or Ica’s tourism dynamics explain their unique contexts. Though programs like “Emprendedores Peruanos” have shown success in training, the lack of coordination between local and national entities limits their impact. Findings emphasize the need for territorially adapted policies aligned with dominant economic activities (e.g., tax incentives for tourism) and simplified procedures via digital platforms. Additionally, future research should focus on qualitative analyses with local stakeholders and monitoring post-pandemic policies, given the fragility of informal microenterprises. This study contributes to understanding informality as a multifaceted issue requiring equitable, context-sensitive approaches to reduce gaps between formal and informal sectors.