Gaps and Challenges in Attaining SDG 8 in the Alto Amazonas Jurisdiction of Peru: A Mixed Methodological Analysis

This study analyses the progress and persistent challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8—Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)—in the province of Alto Amazonas, Loreto, Peru, a territory characterized by structural informality exceeding 80%. A mixed-methods design was employed, integrating a survey of 500 economically active residents, semi-structured interviews with local authorities and business representatives, and a documentary review of official data from the National Institute of Statistics and Informatics (INEI) and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF). Quantitative results reveal uneven economic growth driven mainly by low-value primary sectors, with 41.2% of workers lacking social protection and 51.4% reporting discriminatory practices. Although 70% expressed interest in entrepreneurship, only 37.8% achieved business formalization. Qualitative findings highlight a strong dependence on public investment, limited private-sector diversification, and an entrepreneurial ecosystem with high motivation but insufficient institutional support. The study concludes that structural constraints—informality, credit restrictions, territorial inequality, and weak institutional coordination—continue to hinder SDG 8 achievement. It recommends integrated policies that promote labor formalization, financial inclusion, productive diversification, and sustainable micro-enterprise development to align economic dynamism with social protection and territorial cohesion.