Chile - CL - CHL - CHI - South America

Last updated: May 07, 2025

Chile Images

Ancient stone dwellings on the interior of Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Image courtesy NOAA / Elizabeth Crapo.
An overlook and sculpture along the walking trail above the business center in Santiago, Chile, provides an expansive view. At over 300 m (980 ft), Torre Costanera, shown in the background, is one of the tallest buildings in the southern hemisphere.
The Palacio de la Moneda (Palace of the Mint) in Santiago is the seat of Chile's president. It served as a mint house (a facility that manufactures coins for currency) from 1814 to 1929 before being converted to a presidential residence.
Torre Costanera is one of the largest buildings in the southern hemisphere. The Metropolitan Park provides a nice view of the gondolas and the business center of Santiago, Chile.
The statue of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary sits on San Cristobal Hill in the Metropolitan Park, overlooking the city of Santiago, Chile. The park includes miles of walking trails, a gondola, and other attractions and is popular with locals on the weekends.
The entrance to Fuerte Bulnes, a Chilean fort located by the Strait of Magellan, 62 km (38 mi) south of Punta Arenas. The fort was originally built in 1843 to encourage colonization in Southern Chile, protect the Strait of Magellan, and ward off claims by other nations. Harsh weather prevented large-scale settlement, and after the government founded Punta Arenas to the north in 1848, the fort was abandoned and burned. Between 1941 and 1943, it was reconstructed and in 1968 became a national monument.
Cape Horn, named after a city in the Netherlands, is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in southern Chile. It is frequently referred to as "the sailors' graveyard" because the waters in the area are particularly hazardous due to strong winds, large waves, strong currents, and icebergs.
Monument in Punta Arenas, Chile, to Ferdinand Magellan, the first explorer to circumnavigate the world. Overcoming storms and mutinies, the Portuguese expedition (1519-22) crossed the Strait of Magellan (named after the navigator) to become the first explorers to cross from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.
Easter Island (Rapa Nui) as seen from offshore. Image courtesy NOAA / Elizabeth Crapo.
Located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, Easter Island was discovered by Dutch sailors on Easter Sunday 1722 and named for the holy day, but island's indigenous name is Rapa Nui. The island is known for the nearly 900 statues (moai), such as the ones pictured, that the original Polynesian inhabitants carved. What or who the statues represent remains a mystery.
Two moai at the Rano Raraku quarry on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Note the ritualized scarring or “tattooing” on the right statue. Image courtesy NOAA / Elizabeth Crapo.
Moai with red topknot hats at Anakena Ahu Na on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Image courtesy NOAA / Elizabeth Crapo.
An incomplete “reclining” moai at the Rano Raraku quarry on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). The indigenous civilization collapsed, leaving partially completed monuments. Image courtesy NOAA / Elizabeth Crapo.
Fish petroglyphs at Rano Kau on Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Image courtesy NOAA / Elizabeth Crapo.
Ancient stone dwellings on the interior of Easter Island (Rapa Nui). Image courtesy NOAA / Elizabeth Crapo.
An overlook and sculpture along the walking trail above the business center in Santiago, Chile, provides an expansive view. At over 300 m (980 ft), Torre Costanera, shown in the background, is one of the tallest buildings in the southern hemisphere.

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Chile Factbook Data

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Richard T. (Rick) YONEOKA (since January 2025)

embassy: Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago

mailing address: 3460 Santiago Place, Washington DC 20521-3460

telephone: [56] (2) 2330-3000

FAX: [56] (2) 2330-3710

email address and website:
SantiagoUSA@state.gov

https://cl.usembassy.gov/

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.2% (male 1,822,908/female 1,751,528)

15-64 years: 67.3% (male 6,274,620/female 6,278,467)

65 years and over: 13.6% (2024 est.) (male 1,072,208/female 1,464,921)

This is the population pyramid for Chile. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

30 00 S, 71 00 W

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Natural hazards

severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis

volcanism: significant volcanic activity due to more than three-dozen active volcanoes along the Andes Mountains; Lascar (5,592 m), which last erupted in 2007, is the most active volcano in the northern Chilean Andes; Llaima (3,125 m) in central Chile, which last erupted in 2009, is another of the country's most active; Chaiten's 2008 eruption forced major evacuations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Cerro Hudson, Calbuco, Copahue, Guallatiri, Llullaillaco, Nevados de Chillan, Puyehue, San Pedro, and Villarrica; see note 2 under "Geography - note"

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

Military service age and obligation

17 or 18 for voluntary military service for men and women; selective compulsory service (there are usually enough volunteers to make compulsory service unnecessary); service obligation is a minimum of 12 months for Army and 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2024)

note: as of 2024, women comprised approximately 20% of the armed forces

Background

Indigenous groups inhabited central and southern Chile for several thousand years, living in mixed pastoralist and settled communities. The Inca then ruled the north of the country for nearly a century prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. In 1541, the Spanish established the Captaincy General of Chile, which lasted until Chile declared its independence in 1810. The subsequent struggle with the Spanish became tied to other South American independence conflicts, with a decisive victory not being achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia to win its current northernmost regions. By the 1880s, the Chilean central government cemented its control over the central and southern regions inhabited by Mapuche Indigenous peoples. Between 1891 and 1973, a series of elected governments succeeded each other until the Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 in a military coup led by General Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a democratically elected president was inaugurated in 1990. Economic reforms that were maintained consistently since the 1980s contributed to steady growth, reduced poverty rates by over half, and helped secure the country's commitment to democratic and representative government. Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.

Environment - current issues

air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; noise pollution; improper garbage disposal; soil degradation; widespread deforestation; mining causing pollution and ecosystem degradation; wildlife conservation

Environment - international agreements

party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
2% of GDP (2021 est.)
2% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.9% of GDP (2019 est.)

Population below poverty line

6.5% (2022 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.3% (2022 est.)

highest 10%: 34.5% (2022 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Exports - commodities

copper ore, refined copper, fish, carbonates, pitted fruits (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

China 39%, USA 16%, Japan 7%, S. Korea 6%, Brazil 4% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Administrative divisions

16 regions (regiones, singular - region); Aysen, Antofagasta, Araucania, Arica y Parinacota, Atacama, Biobio, Coquimbo, Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins, Los Lagos, Los Rios, Magallanes y de la Antartica Chilena (Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica), Maule, Nuble, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso

note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica

Agricultural products

grapes, milk, apples, wheat, tomatoes, potatoes, chicken, maize, sugar beets, pork (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Military and security forces

Armed Forces of Chile (Fuerzas Armadas de Chile): Chilean Army (Ejército de Chile), Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes Marine Corps and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate or Directemar), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh) (2025)

note 1: the Directemar is the country's coast guard

note 2: the National Police Force (Carabineros de Chile) is responsible to both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior and Public Security

Budget

revenues: $78.577 billion (2022 est.)

expenditures: $72.673 billion (2022 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Capital

name: Santiago; note - Valparaiso is the seat of the national legislature

geographic coordinates: 33 27 S, 70 40 W

time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in August; ends second Sunday in May; note - Punta Arenas observes DST throughout the year

time zone note: Chile has three time zones: the continental portion at UTC-3; the southern Magallanes region, which does not use daylight savings time and remains at UTC-3 for the summer months; and Easter Island at UTC-5

etymology: Santiago is named after Saint James, the patron saint of Spain (Santo Iago in Spanish); Valparaiso derives from the Spanish words valle (valley) and paraíso (paradise)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cars, garments, trucks (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

temperate; desert in north; Mediterranean in central region; cool and damp in south

Coastline

6,435 km

Constitution

history: many previous; latest adopted 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; in September 2022 and again in December 2023, referendums presented for a new constitution were both defeated, and the September 1980 constitution remains in force

amendment process: proposed by members of either house of the National Congress or by the president of the republic; passage requires at least four-sevenths majority vote of the membership in both houses and approval by the president; passage of amendments to constitutional articles, such as the republican form of government, basic rights and freedoms, the Constitutional Tribunal, electoral justice, the Council of National Security, or the constitutional amendment process, requires at least four-sevenths majority vote by both houses of Congress and approval by the president; the president can opt to hold a referendum when Congress and the president disagree on an amendment

Exchange rates

Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
840.067 (2023 est.)
873.314 (2022 est.)
758.955 (2021 est.)
792.727 (2020 est.)
702.897 (2019 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Gabriel BORIC (since 11 March 2022)

head of government: President Gabriel BORIC (since 11 March 2022)

cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 21 November 2021 with a runoff held on 19 December 2021 (next to be held on 23 November 2025 with runoff if needed on 20 December)

election results:
2021: Gabriel BORIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Antonio KAST (FSC) 27.9%; Gabriel BORIC (AD) 25.8%; Franco PARISI (PDG) 12.8%; Sebastian SICHEL (ChP+) 12.8%; Yasna PROVOSTE (New Social Pact) 11.6%; other 9.1%; percent of vote in second round - Gabriel BORIC 55.9%; Jose Antonio KAST 44.1%

2017: Sebastian PINERA Echenique elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Sebastian PINERA Echenique (independent) 36.6%; Alejandro GUILLIER (independent) 22.7%; Beatriz SANCHEZ (independent) 20.3%; Jose Antonio KAST (independent) 7.9%; Carolina GOIC (PDC) 5.9%; Marco ENRIQUEZ-OMINAMI (PRO) 5.7%; other 0.9%; percent of vote in second round - Sebastian PINERA Echenique 54.6%, Alejandro GUILLIER 45.4%

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red; a blue square the same height as the white band at the hoist-side end of the white band; the square bears a white five-pointed star in the center representing a guide to progress and honor; blue symbolizes the sky, white is for the snow-covered Andes, and red represents the blood spilled to achieve independence

note: design influenced by the US flag

Illicit drugs

transshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; some money laundering activity, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine

Independence

18 September 1810 (from Spain)

Industries

copper, lithium, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members); Constitutional Court (consists of 10 members and is independent of the rest of the judiciary); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges (ministers) appointed by the president of the republic and ratified by the Senate from lists of candidates provided by the court itself; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Constitutional Court members appointed - 3 by the Supreme Court, 3 by the president of the republic, 2 by the Chamber of Deputies, and 2 by the Senate; members serve 9-year terms with partial membership replacement every 3 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Elections Qualifying Court members appointed by lottery - 1 by the former president or vice president of the Senate and 1 by the former president or vice president of the Chamber of Deputies, 2 by the Supreme Court, and 1 by the Appellate Court of Valparaiso; members appointed for 4-year terms

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; oral criminal tribunals; military tribunals; local police courts; specialized tribunals and courts in matters such as family, labor, customs, taxes, and electoral affairs

Land boundaries

total: 7,801 km

border countries (3): Argentina 6,691 km; Bolivia 942 km; Peru 168 km

Land use

agricultural land: 14.3% (2022 est.)

arable land: 1.7% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0.7% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 11.8% (2022 est.)

forest: 24.8% (2022 est.)

other: 60.9% (2022 est.)

Legal system

civil law system influenced by several West European civil legal systems; judicial review of legislative acts by the Constitutional Tribunal

Legislative branch

legislature name: National Congress (Congreso Nacional)

legislative structure: bicameral

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97%

male: 97.1%

female: 97% (2021)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200/350 nm

International organization participation

APEC, BIS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OECD (enhanced engagement), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

Nationality

noun: Chilean(s)

adjective: Chilean

Natural resources

copper, timber, iron ore, nitrates, precious metals, molybdenum, hydropower

Geography - note

note 1: the longest north-south trending country in the world, extending across 39 degrees of latitude; strategic location relative to sea lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage)

note 2: Chile is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire

note 3: the Atacama Desert -- the driest desert in the world -- spreads across the northern part of the country; Ojos del Salado (6,893 m) in the Atacama Desert is the highest active volcano in the world, Chile's tallest mountain, and the second highest in the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere -- its small crater lake (at 6,390 m) is the world's highest lake

Economic overview

export-driven economy; leading copper producer; though hit by COVID-19, fairly quick rebound from increased liquidity and rapid vaccine rollouts; decreasing poverty but still lingering inequality; public debt rising but still manageable; recent political violence has had negative economic consequences

Political parties

Approve Dignity (Apruebo Dignidad) coalition or AD (included PC, FA, and FREVS); note - dissolved 2023
Broad Front Coalition (Frente Amplio) or FA (includes RD, CS, and Comunes)
Chile We Can Do More (Chile Podemos Más) or ChP+ (coalition includes EVOPOLI, PRI, RN, UDI)
Christian Democratic Party or PDC
Common Sense Party or SC
Commons (Comunes)
Communist Party of Chile or PCCh
Democratic Revolution or RD
Democrats or PD
Equality Party or PI
Green Ecological Party or PEV (dissolved 7 February 2022)
Green Popular Alliance or AVP
Humanist Action Party or PAH
Humanist Party or PH
Independent Democratic Union or UDI
Liberal Party (Partido Liberal de Chile) or PL
National Renewal or RN
New Social Pact or NPS (includes PDC, PL, PPD, PRSD, PS)
Party for Democracy or PPD
Party of the People or PDG
Political Evolution or EVOPOLI
Popular Party or PP
Progressive Homeland Party or PRO
Radical Party or PR
Republican Party or PLR
Social Christian Party or PSC
Social Convergence or CS
Social Green Regionalist Federation or FREVS
Socialist Party or PS
Yellow Movement for Chile or AMAR

Railways

total: 7,281.5 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 3,853.5 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge

broad gauge: 3,428 km (2014) 1.676-m gauge (1,691 km electrified)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: the market for fixed and mobile telephony is highly competitive and rapidly evolving; the mobile rate is among the highest in South America; LTE infrastructure is extensive and 5G spectrum auctions which took place in February 2021 prompted deployment of 5G networks, following extensive trials held by the MNOs; fixed broadband is relatively high for the region, with services among the fastest and least expensive in Latin America; government initiatives such as the National Fiber Optic project and Fibra Óptica Austral are providing high-capacity connectivity across the country and will further increase fixed-line broadband; there is a strong focus on fiber broadband, with the number of fiber subscribers having increased 61.7% in 2020, year-on-year; technological improvements have allowed operators to provide a variety of services via their networks, giving rise to a number of bundled packages at competitive prices, including access to video on demand services which in turn is increasing fixed-line broadband; traditional fixed-line teledensity continues to fall as consumers switch to mobile networks and to fixed broadband for voice and data connectivity; more than 8,300 schools receive free broadband as part of the ‘Connectivity for Education 2030’ project (2021)

domestic: number of fixed-line connections 13 per 100, mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching 136 telephones per 100 persons (2021)

international: country code - 56; landing points for the Pan-Am, Prat, SAm-1, American Movil-Telxius West Coast Cable, FOS Quellon-Chacabuco, Fibra Optical Austral, SAC and Curie submarine cables providing links to the US, Caribbean and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

Terrain

low coastal mountains, fertile central valley, rugged Andes in east

Government type

presidential republic

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Chile

conventional short form: Chile

local long form: República de Chile

local short form: Chile

etymology: derivation of the name is unclear; it may come from a local word meaning either "land's end" or "cold," or a local word that was confused with the Mexican Spanish word chili, meaning a chili pepper, in reference to the area's shape

Location

Southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean, between Argentina and Peru

Map references

South America

Irrigated land

9,094 sq km (2022)

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Juan Gabriel VALDES Soublette (since 7 June 2022)

chancery: 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 785-1746

FAX: [1] (202) 887-5579

email address and website:
echile.eeuu@minrel.gob.cl

https://chile.gob.cl/estados-unidos/en/

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

Internet users

percent of population: 94% (2023 est.)

Internet country code

.cl

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 444,423 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2023)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$335.533 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Credit ratings

Fitch rating: A- (2020)

Moody's rating: A1 (2018)

Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2017)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Total renewable water resources

923.1 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years (2020)

Urbanization

urban population: 88% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.78% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Broadcast media

national and local terrestrial TV channels, coupled with extensive cable TV networks; the state-owned Television Nacional de Chile (TVN) network is self-financed through commercial advertising revenues and is not under direct government control; large number of privately owned TV stations; about 250 radio stations

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Himno Nacional de Chile" (National Anthem of Chile)

lyrics/music: Eusebio LILLO Robles and Bernardo DE VERA y Pintado/Ramon CARNICER y Battle

note: music adopted 1828, original lyrics adopted 1818, adapted lyrics adopted 1847; under Augusto PINOCHET's military rule, a verse glorifying the army was added; however, as a protest, some citizens refused to sing this verse; it was removed when democracy was restored in 1990

This is an audio of the National Anthem for Chile. The national anthem is generally a patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.

Major urban areas - population

6.903 million SANTIAGO (capital), 1.009 million Valparaiso, 912,000 Concepcion (2023)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Physician density

3.33 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2018)

National symbol(s)

huemul (mountain deer), Andean condor; national colors: red, white, blue

Contraceptive prevalence rate

76.3% (2015/16)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 60.6% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 15.1% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23.8% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.9% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 31.1% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -29.8% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 44.9 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 24.8 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 20 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 5 (2024 est.)

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Population distribution

90% of the population is located in the middle third of the country around the capital of Santiago; the far north (anchored by the Atacama Desert) and the extreme south are relatively underpopulated

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

White and non-Indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, other Indigenous groups 1% (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Kawesqar, Yagan or Yamana), unspecified 0.3% (2012 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 42%, Evangelical 14%, other 6%, none 37% (2021 est.)

Languages

Spanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, Indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2012 est.)

major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census

Spanish audio sample

Imports - partners

China 23%, USA 20%, Brazil 10%, Argentina 7%, Germany 5% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Elevation

highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,893 m (highest volcano in the world)

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,871 m

Current health expenditure

9% of GDP (2022)

Military - note

the Chilean military's primary responsibility is territorial defense and ensuring the country’s sovereignty; it also assists with disaster and humanitarian relief and some internal security duties such as border security or maintaining public order if required; a key focus in recent years has been assisting with securing the border area with Bolivia and Peru; it trains regularly and participates in bilateral and multinational training exercises, as well as international peacekeeping operations

Chile and Argentina have a joint peacekeeping force known as the Combined Southern Cross Peacekeeping Force (FPC), designed to be made available to the UN; the FPC is made up of air, ground, and naval components, as well as a combined logistics support unit

the Chilean Army was founded in 1810, but traces its origins back to the Army of the Kingdom of Chile, which was established by the Spanish Crown in the early 1600s; Chile's military aviation was inaugurated in 1913 with the creation of a military aviation school; the Navy traces its origins to 1817; it was first led by a British officer and the first ships were largely crewed by American, British, and Irish sailors; by the 1880s, the Chilean Navy was one of the most powerful in the Americas, and included the world’s first protected cruiser (a ship with an armored deck to protect vital machine spaces) (2024)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 70,000 active armed forces personnel (40,000 Army; 20,000 Navy; 10,000 Air Force); approximately 50,000 Carabineros (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Chilean military inventory is comprised of a broad mix of older foreign supplied weapons and equipment and some domestically produced systems; significant foreign suppliers have included Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, and the US; Chile's defense industry is active in the production of military aircraft, ships, and vehicles (2024)

Total water withdrawal

municipal: 1.29 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial: 1.66 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural: 29.42 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 6.517 million tons (2009 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 24,113 tons (2009 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.4% (2009 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food: 19.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco: 3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions: 20.49 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 85.82 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 15.97 megatons (2020 est.)

Major lakes (area sq km)

fresh water lake(s): Lago General Carrera (shared with Argentina) - 2,240 sq km; Lago O'Higgins (shared with Argentina) - 1,010 sq km; Lago Llanquihue - 800 sq km; Lago Fagnano (shared with Argentina) - 590 sq km

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 7 (all cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Rapa Nui National Park; Churches of Chiloe; Historic Valparaiso; Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works; Sewell Mining Town; Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System; Chinchorro archeological sites

Coal

production: 474,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

consumption: 8.087 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports: 63,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports: 7.589 million metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 1.181 billion metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 35.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 20.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 10.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 26.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

geothermal: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 5.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Natural gas

production: 1.362 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption: 6.5 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports: 39.009 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports: 5.196 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 97.976 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 404,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.85 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

46.3% (2023 est.)

Remittances

0.02% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.02% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.02% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Space program overview

has a space program with a considerable history and largely focused on the acquisition and operation of satellites; operates foreign-built satellites and satellite ground stations; building small remote sensing (RS) satellites; researching and developing additional capabilities and technologies associated with the production of satellites and satellite sub-systems; is a world leader in astronomy and astrophysics (Chile’s Atacama Desert, where the skies are exceptionally clear and dry for more than 300 days a year, is home to more than a dozen astronomical observatories including the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, the Las Campanas Observatory, and the European Southern Observatory); Chile is also home to several astronomy institutes; has established relations with space agencies and industries of Canada, China, France, India, Israel, Mexico, Russia, the UK, and the US (2024)

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide

Space agency/agencies

the Chilean Space Agency was established in 2001 and dissolved in 2014, at which time the space program became part of the Ministry of Defense; the Ministry of Science also participates in Chile’s space program (2024)

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 1

global geoparks and regional networks: Kutralkura (2023)

Ports

total ports: 39 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 2

small: 10

very small: 27

ports with oil terminals: 25

key ports: Antofagasta, Bahia de Valdivia, Bahia de Valparaiso, Coronel, Iquique, Mejillones, Puerto Montt, Puerto San Antonio, Rada de Arica, Rada Punta Arenas, Talcahuano, Tocopilla

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name: Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados)

number of seats: 155 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 11/21/2021

parties elected and seats per party: Chile Podemos (Empowering Chile", CP +) (53); New Social Pact (NPS) (37); Approving Dignity (AD) (37); Christian Social Front (FSC) (15); Other (13)

percentage of women in chamber: 35.1%

expected date of next election: November 2025

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name: Senate (Senado)

number of seats: 50 (all directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: partial renewal

term in office: 8 years

most recent election date: 11/21/2021

parties elected and seats per party: Chile Podemos (Empowering Chile", CP +) (12); New Social Pact (NPS) (8); Approving Dignity (AD) (4); Independents (2); Other (1)

percentage of women in chamber: 26%

expected date of next election: November 2025

Labor force

9.958 million (2023 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 22% (2023 est.)

male: 20.2% (2023 est.)

female: 24.5% (2023 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Net migration rate

0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 36.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 35.8 years

female: 38.2 years

Maternal mortality ratio

15 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$46.377 billion (2023 est.)
$39.102 billion (2022 est.)
$51.252 billion (2021 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Public debt

23.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.75 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.04% (2023 est.)
8.3% (2022 est.)
9.33% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Population

total: 18,664,652 (2024 est.)

male: 9,169,736

female: 9,494,916

Carbon dioxide emissions

83.058 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 14.773 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 55.504 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 12.781 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Area

total : 756,102 sq km

land: 743,812 sq km

water: 12,290 sq km

note: includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez

Taxes and other revenues

21.27% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$579.201 billion (2023 est.)
$577.937 billion (2022 est.)
$566.279 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Airports

379 (2025)

Infant mortality rate

total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 26.7 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2022 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

43 (2022 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.58% (2023 est.)
11.64% (2022 est.)
4.52% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Current account balance

-$11.899 billion (2023 est.)
-$26.162 billion (2022 est.)
-$22.962 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Real GDP per capita

$29,500 (2023 est.)
$29,600 (2022 est.)
$29,100 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 4.52 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 29.2% (2020 est.)

male: 31.6% (2020 est.)

female: 26.8% (2020 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

28% (2016)

Energy consumption per capita

71.42 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Death rate

6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

12.4 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 39.238 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 83.295 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 4.384 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 249 (2023)

by type: bulk carrier 3, container ship 5, general cargo 66, oil tanker 14, other 161

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.5% (2014)

Imports

$99.808 billion (2023 est.)
$118.941 billion (2022 est.)
$102.637 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$104.349 billion (2023 est.)
$107.071 billion (2022 est.)
$100.448 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Heliports

115 (2025)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 1.978 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2023 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 7.8 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer: 2.76 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine: 2.61 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits: 2.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 77.3 years

female: 83.3 years

Real GDP growth rate

0.22% (2023 est.)
2.06% (2022 est.)
11.33% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

1.56% (2023 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 3.5% (2023 est.)

industry: 29.7% (2023 est.)

services: 56.9% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Revenue from forest resources

0.49% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Population growth rate

0.61% (2024 est.)

Sources: