Peru's 2017 National Census —for the first time— includes a self-identification question to be answered by all Peruvians starting this Sunday.
The question will help identify the need for implementing new public policies to achieve social inclusion goals.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI), this inquiry serves to collect information about how people —aged 12 and over— define themselves, considering factors such as customs,
traditions, artistic expressions, or ancestors.
The initiative also seeks to identify and spread information about the South American country's true diversity.
As is known, self-identification means how a person defines him/herself taking into account customs, ancestors and whether he or she feels part of an ethnic group.
For instance, a citizen may consider him/herself Ashaninka,
Awajun, Quechua,
Afro-Peruvian, Mestizo, among others.
With this question, the Peruvian Government will be able to reduce social, labor and
economic gaps, as well as reinforce basic rights to education and health.
Likewise, the State will obtain useful information concerning the areas where indigenous and Afro-Peruvian populations are settled, the number of nearby health centers, plus gaps in terms of jobs and required basic services.