Chile

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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

Geography

Location

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

Geographic coordinates

30 00 S, 71 00 W

Map references

South America

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

comparison ranking: total 39

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than twice the size of Montana

Area comparison map:

Land boundaries

total: 7,801 km

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

Coastline

6,435 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200/350 nm

Climate

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

Terrain

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

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

Natural resources

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

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.)

Irrigated land

9,094 sq km (2022)

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

Population distribution

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

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”

Geography – note

note 1: Chile is the longest country north-to-south in the world, extending across 39 degrees of latitude

note 2: Chile is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, which is a belt bordering the Pacific Ocean that contains about 75% of the world’s volcanoes and up to 90% of the world’s earthquakes

note 3: the Atacama Desert in the north of Chile is the driest desert in the world; 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; the volcano’s small crater lake is the world’s highest lake at 6,390 m

People and Society

Population

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

male: 9,169,736

female: 9,494,916

comparison rankings: total 67; female 67; male 67

Nationality

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% (2012 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:

Religions

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

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)

2024 population pyramid:

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.)

Median age

total: 36.9 years (2024 est.)

male: 35.8 years

female: 38.2 years

comparison ranking: total 85

Population growth rate

0.61% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 136

Birth rate

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

comparison ranking: 140

Death rate

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

comparison ranking: 133

Net migration rate

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

comparison ranking: 74

Population distribution

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

Urbanization

urban population: 88% of total population (2023)

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

Major urban areas – population

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

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.)

Maternal mortality ratio

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 150

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

comparison ranking: total 166

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 77.3 years

female: 83.3 years

comparison ranking: total population 55

Total fertility rate

1.75 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 148

Gross reproduction rate

0.85 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

9% of GDP (2022)

19% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

3.33 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

28% (2016)

comparison ranking: 32

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.)

comparison ranking: total 47

Tobacco use

total: 26.2% (2025 est.)

male: 28.4% (2025 est.)

female: 24.1% (2025 est.)

comparison ranking: total 37

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

46.3% (2023 est.)

Education expenditure

5% of GDP (2021 est.)

14.9% national budget (2021 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 63

Literacy

total population: 96% (2017 est.)

male: 96% (2017 est.)

female: 96% (2017 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 17 years (2023 est.)

male: 17 years (2023 est.)

female: 17 years (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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

International environmental 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

Climate

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

Land use

Urbanization

urban population: 88% of total population (2023)

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

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.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 46

Particulate matter emissions

18.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 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.)

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.)

Total renewable water resources

923.1 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Geoparks

total global geoparks and regional networks: 1

global geoparks and regional networks: Kutralkura (2023)

Government

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

Government type

presidential republic

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)

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

Legal system

civil law system influenced by several Western European civil legal systems; Constitutional Tribunal reviews legislative acts

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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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

election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a single 4-year term

most recent election date: 21 November 2021, with a runoff held on 19 December 2021

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%

expected date of next election: 23 November 2025 (a runoff, if needed, will take place on 20 December 2025)

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

Legislative branch

legislature name: National Congress (Congreso Nacional)

legislative structure: bicameral

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

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

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

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:
[email protected]

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

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

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:
[email protected]

https://cl.usembassy.gov/

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

Independence

18 September 1810 (from Spain)

National holiday

Independence Day, 18 September (1810)

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 stands for the sky, white for the snow-covered Andes, and red for the blood spilled to achieve independence

note: design influenced by the US flag

National symbol(s)

huemul (mountain deer), Andean condor

National color(s)

red, white, blue

National anthem(s)

title: “Himno Nacional de Chile” (National Anthem of Chile)

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

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

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

Economy

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$596.556 billion (2024 est.)
$581.187 billion (2023 est.)
$578.173 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 43

Real GDP growth rate

2.6% (2024 est.)
0.5% (2023 est.)
2.2% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 133

Real GDP per capita

$30,200 (2024 est.)
$29,600 (2023 est.)
$29,600 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 78

GDP (official exchange rate)

$330.267 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.3% (2024 est.)
7.6% (2023 est.)
11.6% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

comparison ranking: 129

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 3.9% (2024 est.)

industry: 30.1% (2024 est.)

services: 56.1% (2024 est.)

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

comparison rankings: services 115; industry 55; agriculture 121

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 58.1% (2024 est.)

government consumption: 15.1% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23.5% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.3% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services: 33.7% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services: -30.1% (2024 est.)

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

Agricultural products

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

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2024 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 70

Labor force

10.088 million (2024 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 56

Unemployment rate

9.1% (2024 est.)
9.1% (2023 est.)
8.3% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

comparison ranking: 143

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 22.3% (2024 est.)

male: 20.3% (2024 est.)

female: 24.9% (2024 est.)

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

comparison ranking: total 47

Population below poverty line

6.5% (2022 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income

43 (2022 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 30

Average household expenditures

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

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

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

Remittances

0% of GDP (2024 est.)
0% of GDP (2023 est.)
0% of GDP (2022 est.)

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

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

Taxes and other revenues

17.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

comparison ranking: 70

Current account balance

-$4.853 billion (2024 est.)
-$10.497 billion (2023 est.)
-$26.656 billion (2022 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 171

Exports

$111.123 billion (2024 est.)
$103.256 billion (2023 est.)
$107.039 billion (2022 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 45

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

Exports – commodities

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

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

$99.239 billion (2024 est.)
$100.082 billion (2023 est.)
$118.928 billion (2022 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 47

Imports – partners

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

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

Imports – commodities

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

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$44.403 billion (2024 est.)
$46.377 billion (2023 est.)
$39.102 billion (2022 est.)

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

comparison ranking: 46

Exchange rates

Chilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar –

Exchange rates:
943.572 (2024 est.)
840.067 (2023 est.)
873.314 (2022 est.)
758.955 (2021 est.)
792.727 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 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.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 158; consumption 38; installed generating capacity 33

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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

Energy consumption per capita

71.42 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: 70

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 1.978 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 48

Telephones – mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 26.7 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total subscriptions 50

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 and is not under direct government control; large number of privately owned TV stations; about 250 radio stations

Internet country code

.cl

Internet users

percent of population: 95% (2023 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 4.52 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total 38

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

379 (2025)

comparison ranking: 18

Heliports

115 (2025)

comparison ranking: 22

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)

Merchant marine

total: 249 (2023)

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

comparison ranking: total 64

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

Military and Security

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

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
2% of GDP (2021 est.)
2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 70,000 active Armed Forces (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)

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

Military – note

the Chilean military’s responsibilities are territorial defense, ensuring the country’s sovereignty, assisting with disaster and humanitarian relief, and providing 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) (2025)

Space

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 (2025)

Space program overview

space program 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 for the production of satellites and satellite sub-systems; is a world leader in astronomy and astrophysics; the Atacama Desert 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 (2025)

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

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s)

Terrorist group(s): Tren de Aragua (TdA)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide