Fact Check: Dina Boluarte's Salary Increase is 30 Times Higher than Peru's Minimum Wage
What We Know
Dina Boluarte, the President of Peru, recently announced a significant increase in her salary, which has drawn considerable public outrage. As of July 2025, her monthly salary is set to rise to approximately 35,568 soles (around $10,000) per month, which is reported to be about 30 times higher than the current minimum wage of 1,025 soles (approximately $288) (BBC, Straits Times). This increase comes despite her historically low approval ratings, which hover around 2% to 4% (Straits Times).
The government justified the salary hike by stating that Boluarte's previous salary was among the lowest in the region, ranking just above Bolivia (BBC). The increase was approved by the Cabinet and is intended to align her salary with those of other Latin American leaders (Straits Times, Politiko).
In January 2025, the minimum wage in Peru is scheduled to increase to 1,130 soles (approximately $300), which will still place Boluarte's salary at about 30 times the minimum wage at that time (America Economia, Rio Times).
Analysis
The claim that Dina Boluarte's salary increase is 30 times higher than Peru's minimum wage is partially true. While it is accurate that her new salary of 35,568 soles is approximately 30 times the current minimum wage of 1,025 soles, it is important to note that the minimum wage is set to increase to 1,130 soles in January 2025. This adjustment will slightly alter the ratio, making her salary about 31.5 times the new minimum wage.
The sources reporting on this issue are credible, with major outlets like the BBC and Straits Times providing detailed accounts of the salary increase and public reaction. However, the government’s justification for the salary increase, which claims that Boluarte's previous salary was among the lowest in Latin America, lacks independent verification, as noted by Reuters which could not confirm the accuracy of the government's ranking of presidential salaries.
Public sentiment regarding the salary increase is overwhelmingly negative, with many Peruvians expressing that the funds would be better allocated to poverty alleviation efforts, especially given the high poverty rates in the country (Straits Times, Politiko).
Conclusion
The claim that Dina Boluarte's salary increase is 30 times higher than Peru's minimum wage is partially true. While her new salary indeed represents a significant multiple of the current minimum wage, the upcoming increase in the minimum wage will slightly adjust this ratio. The public's response to the increase highlights the broader economic concerns facing Peru, making the context of this salary increase particularly relevant.
Sources
- Peru's president doubles her salary despite record low ... - BBC
- 'It's a joke': Peruvians outraged after president doubles her ... - Straits Times
- ‘It’s a joke’: Peruvians outraged after president doubles her ... - Politiko
- Peru: Boluarte makes official the increase in the minimum ... - America Economia
- Peru Raises Minimum Wage Amid Economic Recovery Hopes - Rio Times
- Peru raises its minimum wage from 1,050 to 1,130 soles - Andina
- Peruvians outraged after president doubles her salary - CP24
