Chile: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Chile — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
18,729,160
#62 of 197 countries
Area
756,102 km²
#40 of 248 countries
Density
24.8 / km²
#191 of 245 countries

Chile has a population of 18,729,160 spread across 756,102 km², giving it an average density of 24.8 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
38.9
Life Expectancy
80.3 yrs
Literacy Rate
96.4%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Chile is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 51% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$17,067
Cost of Living
51% of US
Inflation
7.6%
Inequality
43.0
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$30,200
Unemployment
9.1%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 1.3% of Chile's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$1,034,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
1.3%
Outbound Tourists
4,091,000
Air Passengers
21,323,388
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Chile has 3.33 physicians per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
3.33/1k
Hospital Beds
1.94/1k
Health Spend
$1760/person
Infant Mortality
6.2/1k
Immunization
93%
Safe Drinking Water
99.1%
Basic Sanitation
100.0%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Chile, 94% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 136 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
94.5%
Mobile Subs
136/100
Broadband
23.0/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data