Multiple jobs in Peru: characteristics, trends and research agenda

This paper examines the characteristics and trends of moonlighting in Peru, a phenomenon that affects 18% of the employed population—a figure notably high by international standards. Moonlighting is particularly prevalent among women, heads of households, rural workers, and individuals employed in sectors such as agriculture, commerce, and services. Secondary jobs represent a significant source of income, contributing approximately 30% of the total earnings for workers with multiple jobs. These individuals dedicate around 30% of their weekly working hours to their secondary employment. Informality is a defining feature among moonlighting workers, with only 5% holding both jobs under formal conditions. Over the past two decades, the characteristics of multiple employment have shown minimal variation, indicating that the high incidence of moonlighting may be a structural feature of the Peruvian labor market. During the COVID-19 pandemic, labor market adjustments predominantly affected secondary jobs, which experienced a sharper decline compared to primary employment. Based on this characterization and a review of existing literature, the paper outlines a research agenda to further investigate this phenomenon within the Peruvian labor context