General |
Official Name |
Republic of Chile (रिपब्लिक ओफ़ चिले)
Republica de Chile (Spanish) |
Capital |
Santiago (सान्तियागो) |
Area |
756,102 sq.kms.
510 times bigger than Delhi (1483 sq kms) |
Population |
2 cr (2024) (Source: Central Bank of Chile)
90% of Delhi’s population (2.2 cr estd) |
Weather (in °C) |
Max. 36°C & Min. 16°C
[Hottest month, January, 15-31°C; coldest month, June, 3-14°C (average daily minimum and maximum)] |
Forest Cover |
18,333,620 hectares.
(24.7 % of total area). |
CO2 Emissions |
3.9metric tones per capita (2024)
(Source: World Bank) |
Tourist Arrivals (Year) |
3.2 million (September 2025) (Source: Chilean Undersecretary of Tourism)
18.9 cr international tourists visited India (2023) |
Age Profile |
0-14 years: 20.05%
15-24 years: 14.98%
25-54 years: 42.78%
55-64 years: 10.78%
65 years and over: 11.41%
(Source: National Statistical Institute of Chile) |
Life Expectancy |
Overall: 80; Male: 78; Female: 83 (2024)
(Source: CENSUS 2024) |
Languages (with % age of speakers, if available) |
Spanish: 90%
Other indigenous languages: 10% (Mapudungun (मापुदुङून्), Quechua (केचुआ), Aymara(अय्मारा) and Rapa Nui (रापा नुई), in addition to Spanish) |
Ethnic Groups |
Roughly 89% of the population is non-indigenous,
(mainly European ancestry and some Asian and Arab nationalities).
The remaining population, about 2.1 million people, is comprised of various ethnic groups - Aymara (0.1%), other indigenous groups (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai (लिकान् अन्ताई), Quechua, Colla (कोईया), Diaguita (दीयागीता), Kawesqar(कावेस्कार्), Yagan (यागन्) or Yamana(यामाना), with the largest (around 8.8%) being the Mapuche. (2024 Census). |
Main Religion (with %, if available) |
Roman Catholic (54%),
Evangelical or Protestant (16.3%),
Jehovah’s Witnesses (0.8%),
Other Christianity branches (1.3%),
others (0.6%),
none (25.8%),
(2024 Census). |
Internet Penetration |
Fixed Internet accesses 4.69 million (Internet penetration was 23.2 accesses per 100 inhabitants)
Mobile accesses reached 22.73 million (Internet penetration reached 112.52 accesses per 100 inhabitants)
(Source: Vice Ministry of Telecommunications) |
Mobile Phones |
121.23 subscribers per 100 inhabitants.
(Source: Vice Ministry of Telecommunications). |
Urbanization |
Urban population (89%), mainly in Santiago, Valparaiso (वल्पराइसो), Concepcion (कोन्सेप्सियोन्), Iquique (इकीके).
Rural population (11%) (2024).
(Source: National Statistics Institute of Chile and World Bank) |
ECONOMIC |
Currency |
Chilean Peso (चिलेयन् पेसो) |
Exchange rate with US$ & INR |
1 USD = CLP 921.97 (official rate – April 2026)
1 INR = CLP 9.89 (official rate – April 2026) |
GDP (PPP) |
684.59 billion USD
(Source: World Bank, current international) |
GDP Growth Rate |
-6.1% (2020), 11.3% (2021), 2.2% (2022), 0.5% (2023)
(Source: World Bank, current international)
2.6% in 2024 (Source: Central Bank of Chile)
2.3% in 2025 (estimated) |
Major Sectors (% of GDP) |
Services (20.1%),
Corporate services (13.1%) ,
Mining (11.7%),
Commerce (8.5%),
Manufacturing (9.0%),
Construction (5.8%),
Agriculture and forestry (3.4%),
Communications (2.5%),
Food and hospitality (2%),
Fishing (0.5%).
(Source: Central Bank of Chile, 2025) |
Unemployment (%) |
10.9% (2020); 9.3% (2021); 8.2% (2022); 9% (2023),
8.7% (2024)
(Source: World Bank) |
Inflation (%) |
7.2% (2021); 12.8% (2022); 7.6% (2023); 4.3% (2024): 3.4% (2025)
(Source: National Statistics Institute, INE and Government of Chile) |
GDP Per Capita |
US$ 16,185 (2021); US$ 15,411 (2022); US$ 17,093 (2023); US$ 16,709 (2024)
(Source: World Bank, current US$) |
Total Trade |
US$ 195.108 billion (2025)
(Source: Chilean Customs) |
Exports |
US$ 108.07 billion (2025)
(Source: Chilean Customs) |
Imports |
US$ 87.03 billion (2025)
(Source: Chilean Customs) |
Balance of Trade |
US$ 21.04 billion (2025) |
Major Trade Partners |
Export partners: 1. China, 2. US 3. Japan 4. Brazil, and 5. South Korea. 6. India (2025)
Import partners; 1. China, 2. US 3. Brazil, 4. Argentina, and 5. Germany 13. India (2025)
India 7th largest overall trade partner (2025)
(Source: Vice Ministry of Trade/Chilean Customs Agency) |
Bilateral Trade |
US$ 1175.67 mn (2019-20); US$ 670.60 mn (2020-21); US$ 1371.16 mn (2021-22); US$ 1435.83 mn (2022-23);
US$ 3758.1 mn (2024-25)
(Source: Department of Commerce) |
India’s Exports to Chile |
US$ 1175.67 mn (2019-20); US$ 670.60 mn (2020-21); US$ 1371.16 mn (2021-22); US$ 1435.83 mn (2022-23);
US$ 1153.80 mn (2024-25)
(Source: Department of Commerce) |
India’s Imports from Chile |
US$ 1175.67 mn (2019-20); US$ 670.60 mn (2020-21); US$ 1371.16 mn (2021-22); US$ 1435.83 mn (2022-23);
US$ 2604.28 mn (2024-25)
(Source: Department of Commerce) |
Major Items of Export and Import
(Source: Chilean Customs) |
India’s exports to Chile –
- Vehicles
- Pharmaceutical products
- Machinery & mechanical appliances
- Electrical machinery & equip
- Animal or vegetable fats and oil
- Organic chemicals
- Textile articles
- Articles of iron or steel
- Articles of leather
- Wadding, felt and nonwovens
|
Imports from Chile:
- Copper and other ores
- Edible Fruit And Nuts; Peel Of Citrus Fruits Or Melons
- Inorganic chemicals
- Pulp of wood, waste & scrap of paper
- Iron and steel
- Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation
- Aluminum & articles thereof
- Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits
- Paper And Paperboard
|
Indian Investments in Chile |
Major Indian companies have a presence in Chile mainly in IT sector, pharma, automotive and mining/metallurgical through acquisition of Chilean companies/or joint ventures and other collaborations. As per the data of SUBREI, Indian investments till date are about US$ 620 million.
(Source: SUBREI). |
Chilean Investments in India |
Chilean investment in India is US$ 118 million. Chilean Financial Institutions have also invested in the Indian financial sector. (Source: SUBREI). |
Political |
Political Structure |
Unitary Republic and democratic Presidential system.
Universal adult suffrage (age 21 and above) and a Bicameral legislature.
Term of President is for four years.
Chamber of Deputies (155 seats) is for four years.
Senate (50 seats) is eight years.
President cannot be re-elected for consecutive terms but can be re-elected with a gap of 4 years between terms.
Most of Chile’s governments have been coalition governments. On 16th December 2025, presidential elections took place and H.E. Mr. Jose Antonio Kast Rist was elected as the President for the term 2026-2030. He secured 58.16% of the votes versus 41.84% by his rival Jeannette Jara of Communist Party. |
Head of State (President) |
H.E. Mr. Jose Antonio Kast Rist
(श्री होसे एंतोनियो कास्ट रिस्ट)
(from 11 March 2026) |
Head of Government (Prime Minister) |
Same as above. |
Minister of Foreign Affairs |
H.E. Mr. Francisco Pérez Mackenna
(श्री फ्रांसिस्को पेरेज़ माकेना)
(from 11 March 2026) |
Political Issues
(Internal) |
Public Safety and Organized Crime: Concerns over violent crime, drug trafficking, and rising homicide rates have made public safety a primary political issue. There is pressure to reform Police force and update strategies to combat crime, particularly in metropolitan areas.
Immigration and Border Security: Following significant migration into Chile, particularly from Venezuela and Haiti, defining a cohesive immigration policy that balances human rights with national security is a major challenge. The government faces pressure to manage unauthorized migration at the northern border.
Economic Stability and Cost of Living: Despite being a major exporter, Chile faces the challenges of high inflation, slow economic growth and managing the public debt, which reached high levels in 2024. Addressing the cost of living and maintaining a balanced budget are critical for the administration of President Kast.
Social Security and Health Reforms: Deep structural reforms to the private pension system (AFP) and the public-private health system remain contentious. Improving the quality and accessibility of public services while regulating private providers is a top demand of citizens.
Constitutional and Political Polarization: After failing to pass a new constitution twice, the debate over how to move beyond the Pinochet-era constitution remains unsolved. This is compounded by deep political division, including debates surrounding the 50th anniversary of the 1973 military coup.
A longstanding issue is the Mapuche (मापूचे) demand for autonomy for their region (Araucania) (अरावुकान्या) or at least a division of powers between the Central and Regional government.
The debate on all the above issues shows considerable polarization between the right and left wings of the political spectrum, and since October 2019, has sparked mass public demonstrations, often accompanied by violence, demanding major reforms across the board. |
Indian Origin/ PRs/ Indian Students |
PIOs 2150 (estd)
Indian students 32. |
Indian diaspora
(composition and any pertinent information that may be of interest) |
The origins of the Indian community in Chile can be traced back to 1905.
Around 4000 Indians live in Chile of whom 2150 are Chilean citizens.
One third of them live in Iquique and the rest are in Santiago, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Punta Arenas.
The majority are from the Sindhi community who are mainly engaged in business, and who have integrated well with Chilean society.
In addition, there is a constant flow of professionals and businessmen as also some skilled and unskilled labour (chefs, masseurs, restaurant workers etc.) from India, working mainly in the ICT and financial services sectors and also in Indian companies represented in Chile. |
Indian Organisations (Bank/PSUs/Govt Organisations/Indian Companies |
IT: TCS, Infosys, Godrej, Intellect Design, Oracle, Wipro, Ishkan,
Pharma: Dr. Reddy, Seven Pharma, Siron Pharma, MSN Laboratories,
Automobiles: Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Apollo Tyres, Ashok Leyland,
Mining/Engineering/Agri: UPL, Sterling & Wilson, Tega Industries, Kalpataru Power Chile SpA, Vega Industries Chile SpA. |
