2016 Edition

Background

Prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century, the Inca ruled northern Chile while the Mapuche inhabited central and southern Chile. Although Chile declared its independence in 1810, decisive victory over the Spanish was not achieved until 1818. In the War of the Pacific (1879-83), Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia and won its present northern regions. It was not until the 1880s that the Mapuche were brought under central government control. After a series of elected governments, the three-year-old Marxist government of Salvador ALLENDE was overthrown in 1973 by a military coup led by General Augusto PINOCHET, who ruled until a freely elected president was inaugurated in 1990. Sound economic policies, 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.

Area

756,102 sq km 743,812 sq km 12,290 sq km includes Easter Island (Isla de Pascua) and Isla Sala y Gomez

land

743,812 sq km

note

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

total

756,102 sq km

water

12,290 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

Climate

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

Coastline

6,435 km

Elevation

1,871 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Nevado Ojos del Salado 6,880 m

mean elevation

1,871 m

Environment - current issues

widespread deforestation and mining threaten natural resources; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

30 00 S, 71 00 W

Geography - note

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); Atacama Desert - the driest desert in the world - spreads across the northern part of the country; the crater lake of Ojos del Salado is the world's highest lake (at 6,390 m)

Irrigated land

11,100 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

7,801 km Argentina 6,691 km, Bolivia 942 km, Peru 168 km

border countries (3)

Argentina 6,691 km, Bolivia 942 km, Peru 168 km

total

7,801 km

Land use

21.1% arable land 1.7%; permanent crops 0.6%; permanent pasture 18.8% 21.9% 57% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

21.1%

forest

21.9%

other

57% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200/350 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200/350 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis significant volcanic activity due to more than three-dozen active volcanoes along the Andes Mountains; Lascar (elev. 5,592 m), which last erupted in 2007, is the most active volcano in the northern Chilean Andes; Llaima (elev. 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

volcanism

significant volcanic activity due to more than three-dozen active volcanoes along the Andes Mountains; Lascar (elev. 5,592 m), which last erupted in 2007, is the most active volcano in the northern Chilean Andes; Llaima (elev. 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

Natural resources

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

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

Terrain

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

Age structure

20.27% (male 1,825,115/female 1,751,977) 15.45% (male 1,391,522/female 1,335,933) 43.17% (male 3,804,037/female 3,816,114) 10.6% (male 880,014/female 990,969) 10.51% (male 776,340/female 1,078,093) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

20.27% (male 1,825,115/female 1,751,977)

15-24 years

15.45% (male 1,391,522/female 1,335,933)

25-54 years

43.17% (male 3,804,037/female 3,816,114)

55-64 years

10.6% (male 880,014/female 990,969)

65 years and over

10.51% (male 776,340/female 1,078,093) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

13.7 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

82,882 3% (2003 est.)

percentage

3% (2003 est.)

total number

82,882

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

0.5% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

64.2% percent of women aged 15-44 (2006)

note

percent of women aged 15-44 (2006)

Death rate

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

Chile is in the advanced stages of demographic transition and is becoming an aging society - with fertility below replacement level, low mortality rates, and life expectancy on par with developed countries. Nevertheless, with its dependency ratio nearing its low point, Chile could benefit from its favorable age structure. It will need to keep its large working-age population productively employed, while preparing to provide for the needs of its growing proportion of elderly people, especially as women - the traditional caregivers - increasingly enter the workforce. Over the last two decades, Chile has made great strides in reducing its poverty rate, which is now lower than most Latin American countries. However, its severe income inequality ranks as the worst among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Unequal access to quality education perpetuates this uneven income distribution. Chile has historically been a country of emigration but has slowly become more attractive to immigrants since transitioning to democracy in 1990 and improving its economic stability (other regional destinations have concurrently experienced deteriorating economic and political conditions). Most of Chile's small but growing foreign-born population consists of transplants from other Latin American countries, especially Peru.

Dependency ratios

45.2% 29.3% 16% 6.3% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

16%

potential support ratio

6.3% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

45.2%

youth dependency ratio

29.3%

Drinking water source

urban: 99.7% of population rural: 93.3% of population total: 99% of population urban: 0.3% of population rural: 6.7% of population total: 1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

6.7% of population

total

1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.3% of population

Education expenditures

4.6% of GDP (2013)

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.)

Health expenditures

7.8% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.27% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

400 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

32,300 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

6.7 deaths/1,000 live births 7.2 deaths/1,000 live births 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

7.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

6.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2% shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.)

note

shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

78.8 years 75.7 years 81.9 years (2016 est.)

female

81.9 years (2016 est.)

male

75.7 years

total population

78.8 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.5% 97.6% 97.4% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.4% (2015 est.)

male

97.6%

total population

97.5%

Major urban areas - population

SANTIAGO (capital) 6.507 million; Valparaiso 907,000; Concepcion 816,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

22 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

34 years 32.9 years 35.2 years (2016 est.)

female

35.2 years (2016 est.)

male

32.9 years

total

34 years

Nationality

Chilean(s) Chilean

adjective

Chilean

noun

Chilean(s)

Net migration rate

0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

28.5% (2014)

Physicians density

1.02 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

17,650,114 (July 2016 est.)

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

Population growth rate

0.8% (2016 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 66.7%, Evangelical or Protestant 16.4%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1%, other 3.4%, none 11.5%, unspecified 1.1% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 90.9% of population total: 99.1% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 9.1% of population total: 0.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

9.1% of population

total

0.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 16 years 17 years (2014)

female

17 years (2014)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.72 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.89 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.72 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.81 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

16.1% 13.9% 19.2% (2013 est.)

female

19.2% (2013 est.)

male

13.9%

total

16.1%

Urbanization

89.5% of total population (2015) 1.09% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.09% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

89.5% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

15 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, Maule, Region Metropolitana (Santiago), Tarapaca, Valparaiso the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

note

the US does not recognize claims to Antarctica

Capital

Santiago; note - Valparaiso is the seat of the national legislature 33 27 S, 70 40 W UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

33 27 S, 70 40 W

name

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

time difference

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

Citizenship

yes yes yes 5 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

many previous; latest adopted 11 September 1980, effective 11 March 1981; amended many times, last in 2011; note - in late 2015, the Chilean Government initiated a process to reform its constitution (2016)

Country name

Republic of Chile Chile Republica de Chile Chile derivation of the name is unclear, but it may come from the Mapuche word "chilli" meaning "limit of the earth" or from the Quechua "chiri" meaning "cold"

conventional long form

Republic of Chile

conventional short form

Chile

etymology

derivation of the name is unclear, but it may come from the Mapuche word "chilli" meaning "limit of the earth" or from the Quechua "chiri" meaning "cold"

local long form

Republica de Chile

local short form

Chile

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Michael HAMMER (since April 2014) Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago APO AA 34033 [56] (2) 2330-3000 [56] (2) 2330-3710, 2330-3160

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael HAMMER (since April 2014)

embassy

Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago

FAX

[56] (2) 2330-3710, 2330-3160

mailing address

APO AA 34033

telephone

[56] (2) 2330-3000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Juan Gabriel VALDES Soublette (since 21 May 2014) 1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 785-1746 [1] (202) 887-5579 Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

chancery

1732 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Juan Gabriel VALDES Soublette (since 21 May 2014)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 887-5579

telephone

[1] (202) 785-1746

Executive branch

President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2014) Cabinet appointed by the president president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 17 November 2013 with a runoff held on 15 December 2013 (next to be held on 19 November 2017) Michelle BACHELET Jeria elected president; percent of vote - Michelle BACHELET Jeria (PS) 62.2%; Evelyn Rose MATTHEI Fornet (UDI) 37.8%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Michelle BACHELET Jeria elected president; percent of vote - Michelle BACHELET Jeria (PS) 62.2%; Evelyn Rose MATTHEI Fornet (UDI) 37.8%

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 17 November 2013 with a runoff held on 15 December 2013 (next to be held on 19 November 2017)

head of government

President Michelle BACHELET Jeria (since 11 March 2014)

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 design was influenced by the US flag

note

design was influenced by the US flag

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

18 September 1810 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members) Supreme Court judges appointed by the president 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, 1 by the president of the republic, 2 by the National Security Council, and 1 by the Senate; members serve 8-year terms with partial membership replacement every 4 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Elections Qualifying Court member appointments - 4 by the Supreme Court and 1 - a former president or vice-president of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies - also selected by the Supreme Court; members appointed for 4-year terms 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

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of a court president and 20 members or ministros); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members); Elections Qualifying Court (consists of 5 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the president 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, 1 by the president of the republic, 2 by the National Security Council, and 1 by the Senate; members serve 8-year terms with partial membership replacement every 4 years (the court reviews constitutionality of legislation); Elections Qualifying Court member appointments - 4 by the Supreme Court and 1 - a former president or vice-president of the Senate or Chamber of Deputies - also selected by the Supreme Court; 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

Legal system

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

Legislative branch

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 8-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 4 years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - in both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, the party winning at least two-thirds of the votes is entitled to 2 seats in the constituency; if it obtains less than two-thirds of the votes, it is entitled to 1 seat with the remaining seat awarded to the next highest winning party Senate - last held on 17 November 2013 (next to be held on 15 November 2017); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 17 November 2013 (next to be held on 15 November 2017) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - New Majority Coalition (formerly known as Concertacion) 19 (PDC 6, PS 6, PPD 6, MAS 1), Coalition for Change (formerly known as the Alianza coalition) 15 (RN 6, UDI 8, Amplitude Party 1), independents 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - New Majority 68 (PDC 21, PS 16, PPD 14, PC 6, PRSD 6, Citizen Left 1, independents 4), Coalition for Change 47 (UDI 29, RN 14, independents 3, EP 1), Liberal Party 1, independents 4 In January 2015, the Chilean Congress voted to end the binomial system that was put in place under Gen. Augusto PINOCHET; the Congress also voted to expand its size and establish rules to ensure that there is equitable gender representation; the new electoral system will be put in place in 2017

description

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate or Senado (38 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 8-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 4 years) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (120 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - in both the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, the party winning at least two-thirds of the votes is entitled to 2 seats in the constituency; if it obtains less than two-thirds of the votes, it is entitled to 1 seat with the remaining seat awarded to the next highest winning party

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - New Majority Coalition (formerly known as Concertacion) 19 (PDC 6, PS 6, PPD 6, MAS 1), Coalition for Change (formerly known as the Alianza coalition) 15 (RN 6, UDI 8, Amplitude Party 1), independents 4; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - New Majority 68 (PDC 21, PS 16, PPD 14, PC 6, PRSD 6, Citizen Left 1, independents 4), Coalition for Change 47 (UDI 29, RN 14, independents 3, EP 1), Liberal Party 1, independents 4

elections

Senate - last held on 17 November 2013 (next to be held on 15 November 2017); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 17 November 2013 (next to be held on 15 November 2017)

note

In January 2015, the Chilean Congress voted to end the binomial system that was put in place under Gen. Augusto PINOCHET; the Congress also voted to expand its size and establish rules to ensure that there is equitable gender representation; the new electoral system will be put in place in 2017

National anthem

"Himno Nacional de Chile" (National Anthem of Chile) Eusebio LILLO Robles and Bernardo DE VERA y Pintado/Ramon CARNICER y Battle 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

lyrics/music

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

name

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

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

National symbol(s)

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

huemul (mountain deer), Andean condor; national colors

red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Broad Social Movement or MAS [Alejandro NAVARRO Brain] Citizen Left or IC [Sergio AGUILO] Coalition for Change or CC (also known as the Alliance for Chile (Alianza) or APC) (including National Renewal or RN [Cristian MONCKEBERG Bruner], and Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Hernan LARRAIN Fernandez] Coalition of Parties for Democracy (Concertacion) or CPD (including Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Jorge PIZARRO Soto], Party for Democracy or PPD [Jaime Daniel QUINTANA Leal], Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Ernesto VELASCO Rodriguez], and Socialist Party or PS [Isabel ALLENDE Bussi]) Communist Party of Chile (Partido Comunista de Chile) or PC [Guillermo TEILLIER del Valle] Ecological Green Party [Felix GONZALEZ Gatica] Equality Party [Guillermo GONZALEZ Castro] Humanist Party or PH [Octavio GONZALEZ] Independent Regionalist Party or PRI [Alejandra BRAVO Hidalgo] Liberal Party (Partido Liberal de Chile) [Vlado MIROSEVIC] Political Evolution or EP [Felipe KAST] Progressive Party or PRO [Patricia MORALES]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Roman Catholic Church, particularly conservative groups such as Opus Dei United Labor Central or CUT (includes trade unionists from the country's five largest labor confederations) university student federations at all major universities

other

university student federations at all major universities

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grapes, apples, pears, onions, wheat, corn, oats, peaches, garlic, asparagus, beans; beef, poultry, wool; fish; timber

Budget

$50.71 billion $55.89 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$55.89 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$50.71 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.12% (31 December 2010) 0.5% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.52% (31 December 2015 est.) 8.1% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$4.765 billion (2015 est.) -$3.317 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$156.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $149.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

52.1 (2009) 57.1 (2000)

Economy - overview

Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports of goods and services account for approximately one-third of GDP, with commodities making up some 60% of total exports. Copper alone provides 20% of government revenue. From 2003 through 2013, real growth averaged almost 5% per year, despite the slight contraction in 2009 that resulted from the global financial crisis. Growth slowed to an estimated 2.3% in 2015. A continued drop in copper prices prompted Chile to experience its second consecutive year of slow growth, elevated inflation, and a depreciating currency. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, which took effect on 1 January 2004. Chile has 22 trade agreements covering 60 countries including agreements with the EU, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. In May 2010, Chile signed the OECD Convention, becoming the first South American country to join the OECD. In October 2015, Chile joined the US and 10 other countries and concluded negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. The agreement will need to be ratified by the Chilean legislature. The Chilean Government has generally followed a countercyclical fiscal policy, accumulating surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and generally allowing deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of 31 October 2015, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $22.4 billion. Chile used these funds to finance fiscal stimulus packages during the 2009 economic downturn. In 2014, President Michelle BACHELET introduced tax reforms aimed at delivering her campaign promise to fight inequality and to provide access to education and health care. The reforms are expected to generate additional tax revenues equal to 3% of Chile’s GDP, mostly by increasing corporate tax rates to OECD averages.

Exchange rates

Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 658.93 (2015 est.) 572.39 (2014 est.) 570.37 (2013 est.) 486.49 (2012 est.) 483.67 (2011 est.)

Exports

$62.23 billion (2015 est.) $74.92 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine

Exports - partners

China 26.3%, US 13.2%, Japan 8.5%, South Korea 6.5%, Brazil 4.9% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

64.3% 13.4% 22.7% -0.3% 30.1% -30.3% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

30.1%

government consumption

13.4%

household consumption

64.3%

imports of goods and services

-30.3% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

22.7%

investment in inventories

-0.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

3.9% 32.9% 63.2% (2015 est.)

agriculture

3.9%

industry

32.9%

services

63.2% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$23,500 (2015 est.) $23,200 (2014 est.) $23,000 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.1% (2015 est.) 1.8% (2014 est.) 4% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$240.2 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$422.4 billion (2015 est.) $413.9 billion (2014 est.) $406.4 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

20.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 20.9% of GDP (2014 est.) 20.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.5% 42.8% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

42.8% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

1.5%

Imports

$58.74 billion (2015 est.) $68.58 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas

Imports - partners

China 23.4%, US 18.8%, Brazil 7.8%, Argentina 4% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

1.2% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.3% (2015 est.) 4.4% (2014 est.)

Labor force

8.635 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

13.2% 23% 63.9% (2005)

agriculture

13.2%

industry

23%

services

63.9% (2005)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$313.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $270.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $341.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

14.4% (2013)

Public debt

16.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 15.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$38.64 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $40.45 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$154.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $158 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$72.81 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $81.69 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$176.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $180 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$188.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $197.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$39.88 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $41.97 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.3% (2015 est.) 6.3% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

76 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

165,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

6,260 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

150 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

66 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

62.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

33% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

4.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

700 million kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

23 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

71 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

70,600 99.6% 100% 98% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

98% (2012)

electrification - total population

99.6%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

70,600

Natural gas - consumption

4.048 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

3.5 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

798 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

97.97 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

340,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

3,761 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

152,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

205,800 bbl/day (2015 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 (2007)

Internet country code

.cl

Internet users

11.256 million 64.3% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

64.3% (July 2015 est.)

total

11.256 million

Telephone system

privatization began in 1988; most advanced telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations number of fixed-line connections have stagnated in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching 130 telephones per 100 persons country code - 56; landing points for the Pan American, South America-1, and South American Crossing/Latin America Nautilus submarine cables providing links to the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

domestic

number of fixed-line connections have stagnated in recent years as mobile-cellular usage continues to increase, reaching 130 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

privatization began in 1988; most advanced telecommunications infrastructure in South America; modern system based on extensive microwave radio relay facilities; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations

international

country code - 56; landing points for the Pan American, South America-1, and South American Crossing/Latin America Nautilus submarine cables providing links to the US and to Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

3,445,880 20 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

20 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

3,445,880

Telephones - mobile cellular

23.206 million 133 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

133 (July 2015 est.)

total

23.206 million

Airports

481 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

24 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

23

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

31

over 3,047 m

5

total

90

under 914 m

24 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

319 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

11

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

56

total

391

under 914 m

319 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

CC (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 13, cargo 5, chemical tanker 7, container 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 1 1 (Norway 1) 52 (Argentina 6, Brazil 1, Honduras 1, Isle of Man 9, Liberia 9, Panama 14, Peru 6, Singapore 6) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 13, cargo 5, chemical tanker 7, container 2, liquefied gas 1, passenger 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 8, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned

1 (Norway 1)

registered in other countries

52 (Argentina 6, Brazil 1, Honduras 1, Isle of Man 9, Liberia 9, Panama 14, Peru 6, Singapore 6) (2010)

total

42

National air transport system

15,006,762 1,392.236 million mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

1,392.236 million mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

15,006,762

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

173

number of registered air carriers

9

Pipelines

gas 3,160 km; liquid petroleum gas 781 km; oil 985 km; refined products 722 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso Mejillones, Quintero

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Mejillones, Quintero

major seaport(s)

Coronel, Huasco, Lirquen, Puerto Ventanas, San Antonio, San Vicente, Valparaiso

Railways

7,281.5 km 3,428 km 1.676-m gauge (1,691 km electrified) 3,853.5 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

broad gauge

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

narrow gauge

3,853.5 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

total

7,281.5 km

Roadways

77,764 km 18,119 km (includes 2,387 km of expressways) 59,645 km (2010)

paved

18,119 km (includes 2,387 km of expressways)

total

77,764 km

unpaved

59,645 km (2010)

Military branches

Chilean Army, Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes Naval Aviation, Marine Corps, and Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh) (2015)

Military expenditures

2.04% of GDP (2012) 2.17% of GDP (2011) 2.04% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-45 years of age for voluntary male and female military service, although the right to compulsory recruitment of males 18-45 is retained; service obligation is 12 months for Army and 22 months for Navy and Air Force (2015)

Disputes - international

Chile and Peru rebuff Bolivia's reactivated claim to restore the Atacama corridor, ceded to Chile in 1884, but Chile has offered instead unrestricted but not sovereign maritime access through Chile to Bolivian natural gas; Chile rejects Peru's unilateral legislation to change its latitudinal maritime boundary with Chile to an equidistance line with a southwestern axis favoring Peru; in October 2007, Peru took its maritime complaint with Chile to the ICJ; territorial claim in Antarctica (Chilean Antarctic Territory) partially overlaps Argentine and British claims; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001, has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur)

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 (2008)