Chile Demographics

What is the population of Chile?

Population 18,664,652
Population: Male/Female male: 9,169,736

female: 9,494,916
Population Growth Rate 0.61%
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
Urban Population urban population: 88% of total population

rate of urbanization: 0.78% annual rate of change
Population in Major Urban Areas 6.903 million SANTIAGO (capital), 1.009 million Valparaiso, 912,000 Concepcion
Nationality Noun noun: Chilean(s)

adjective: Chilean
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%
Language Note Spanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, Indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census
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.

Chile Learning

What is school like in Chile?

Classroom

Children wear uniforms that have a badge to school. The badge identifies which school the student attends. High school students wear black and white uniforms and are sometimes known by the nickname “penguins.”

It is not unusual for a school to be an open-air building (especially in northern regions, which means that classes can be quite chilly in the winter. However, because it rarely rains in such areas, there is no need to provide protection against bad weather. Open schools usually have a large open courtyard that serves as a theater, playground, and assembly hall. Around the courtyard are hallways that lead to classrooms, offices, and bathrooms. Like students in many Asian schools, students stay in the same classroom all day—except when they have a class that requires different classroom equipment, such as a computer class.

Until the mid-1990s, school was conducted in two shifts, morning and afternoon. This has now changed to a longer school day. The previous two-shift schedule was used in part to keep a low student-teacher ratio. Since the change, the national Ministry of Education has set a maximum ratio of no more than 45 students for every teacher. Most classes have about 40 students.

Education Culture

Although, as in most Latin American countries, has only in recent years encouraged girls to gain as much education as boys, the country also has a tradition of providing education to women who wanted higher levels of education. For example, Chile was the first country in Latin America to graduate female lawyers and physicians—in the 1880s from the University of Chile! As women have access to more and more education, the number of women in the workforce, including the professional workforce, is increasing. This means that extended family members often help to raise little children while their mothers are working during the day.

Chile is similar to many Latin American countries in that most children (approximately 90%) attend elementary school. However, only slightly over half will attend preschool, and slightly less than half will remain in high school. Impressively, nearly 20% of the national government budget goes to education. Despite this, many Chileans feel that the educational system has some serious problems and does not do a very good job of educating their children.

The school year begins in late February or early March and finishes in December so that the children do not attend during the hottest months. There are two major breaks of two weeks each in the school year—one in June or July and another in September.

Approximately 70 percent of the schools in Chile are privately owned.

Many students do not attend school after they finish elementary school. They are often required to begin working to support their family. Most high school students come from upper-middle-class or upper-class families.

Learning

Children study between 10 and 13 subjects during each school week, and they stay with the same group of classmates all day long.

Children are required to attend elementary school for eight years (ages 6-13), with optional attendance in effect for four years of high school (ages 14-17). All classes are taught in Spanish, the national language.

Subjects include math, science, history, geography, Spanish, English, music, belief systems, technology, and physical education. In some areas with high populations of native peoples, their local language is also taught in school. These tend to be in rural areas removed from cities and larger towns.

General basic education (EGB) is compulsory and lasts for eight years, divided into two cycles of four years each. Secondary education (Educación media) lasts for four years. Students choose to specialize either in humanistic-scientific education (EMHC) or technical-professional education (EMTP). The humanistic-scientific branch, offered in liceos, is a preparation for higher education. Students are awarded the Licencia de Educación Media at the end. Technical-professional education offers a two-year common course and two years of specialization divided into five branches: industrial, technical, agricultural, commercial, and maritime. Students who successfully complete their secondary education obtain the Licencia de Educación Media or the title of Técnico de Nivel Medio.

To School

School generally begins at 8:00 in the morning and is done at around 4:00 in the afternoon. Kids will usually walk or ride a public transportation bus to school, depending on how far from the school they live. The public buses offer reduced fares to students, who wear badges that identify with the school they attend.

Some schools provide lunch for the students, while others (in rural areas or certain private schools) allow students to go home for lunch.

Chile Population Comparison

Chile Health Information

What are the health conditions in Chile?

Life Expectancy at Birth total population: 80.3 years

male: 77.3 years

female: 83.3 years
Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population 6.6
Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Health Expenditures - percent of GDP 9.8%
Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population 2.84
Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population 2.1
Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved 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
Tobacco Use total: 29.2%

male: 31.6%

female: 26.8%
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births 15
Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49 76.3%
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman 1.75
Gross reproduction rate 1
Obesity - adult prevalence rate 28%
Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved 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
Underweight - percent of children under five years 0.5%
Alcohol consumption per capita total: 7.8 liters of pure alcohol

beer: 2.76 liters of pure alcohol

wine: 2.61 liters of pure alcohol

spirits: 2.43 liters of pure alcohol

other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol
Currently married women (ages 15-49) 46.3%

Chile Life Expectancy

How long do people live in Chile?

Life Expectancy at Birth total population: 80.3 years

male: 77.3 years

female: 83.3 years
Median Age total: 36.9 years

male: 35.8 years

female: 38.2 years
Gross reproduction rate 1
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49 76.3%
Infant Mortality Rate total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births 15
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman 1.75

Chile median age, birth rate and death rates

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population 12
Median Age total: 36.9 years

male: 35.8 years

female: 38.2 years
Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population .3
Population Growth Rate 0.61%
Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female 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
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%
Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49 76.3%
Gross reproduction rate 1
Infant Mortality Rate total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births 15
Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman 1.75

Chile Medical Information

What are the health conditions in Chile?

Medical Facilities and Health Information

Santiago has two main private hospitals that are accredited by The American Hospital Association and meet U.S. standards: Clinica Alemana and Clinica Las Condes. Both have international patient departments and experience with some international insurance companies. Medical care in Chile is generally good, though it may not meet U.S. standards in remote areas. Major hospitals accept credit cards, but many doctors and hospitals in Chile expect immediate payment in cash. Prescriptions written by local doctors and over-the-counter medicines are widely available.

Air pollution is a major health concern in Santiago, resulting in severe bronchial ailments affecting infants, small children, and the elderly. The most severe air pollution occurs during the winter (May through August).

The ozone layer is especially thin over parts of Chile. Take precautions to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation.

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

9.8%

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

2.1

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

2.84

Chile Education

What is school like in Chile?

Education Expenditures - percent of GDP 5.6%
Literacy - female 97%
Literacy - male 97.1%
Literacy - total population 97%
Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write
Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary) total: 17 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years

Chile Literacy

Can people in Chile read?

Literacy - female 97%
Literacy - male 97.1%
Literacy - total population 97%
Literacy Definition age 15 and over can read and write

Chile Crime

Is Chile a safe place to visit?

Crime Information

Most foreigners visit Chile without incident. Nevertheless, street crime is a problem, especially in Santiago and Valparaiso. As in any large city, be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Be alert for pick-pocketing, purse and camera snatching, and thefts from backpacks and rental cars. Petty crime is common in major tourist destinations, in hotel lobbies and restaurants, internet cafes, at bus and subway stations, and in cruise ship ports. Exercise caution when touring Cerro Santa Lucia, Cerro San Cristobal, and Mercado Central as pick-pocketing and muggings occur frequently in these areas. Criminals usually work in groups and employ a variety of ruses to distract and victimize unsuspecting visitors. A few taxi drivers engage in currency switching and overcharge with altered taxi meters. Incidents of individuals smashing car windows of occupied vehicles stopped in traffic and taking items of value on seats have occurred. Drivers should keep car doors locked at all times and valuables out of sight while driving and while the vehicle is parked. Your passport is a valuable document. Report the loss or theft of a U.S. passport to the police and to the U.S. Embassy immediately. Secure your passport and other valuables in a hotel safe, and carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes. Leave copies of your passport and important documents with family members in case of emergency.

Counterfeit and pirated goods may sometimes be available in Chile, and transactions involving such products are generally illegal under local law. In addition, bringing such goods back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.

The local equivalents to the “911” emergency lines in Chile follow an ABC-123 plan:

131 - Ambulancia/Ambulance

132 - Bomberos/Fire Department

133 - Carabineros/Police Department

Chile Penalties for Crime

Criminal Penalties

While in Chile, you are subject to Chile's laws and regulations. Chilean laws may differ significantly from those in the United States. You may not have the same protections available to you as under U.S. law, and penalties for breaking the law can also be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Chile's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Chile are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Persons engaging in sexual conduct with children and using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country may be prosecuted in the United States.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Chile, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S. Embassy in Santiago of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

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