Republic of Chile  (रिपब्लिक ओफ़ चिले)

Santiago (सान्तियागो)

756,102 sq.kms.

Max. 33°C & Min. 16°C

[Hottest month, January, 12-29°C; coldest month, June, 3-14°C (average daily minimum and maximum)]

19.458 (2020) (Source: Statistical Bulletin February 2021, Central Bank of Chile)

17520869 hectares. (23% of total area).

4.90 metric tones per capita (2019) (Source:Knoema)

Age Profile

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 estimate)

Overall: 78.1; Male: 75.7; Female: 83.6 (2020)

Languages (with % age of speakers, if available)

90% of the population speaks Spanish and 10% speak various indigenous languages such as Mapudungun (मापुदुङून्), Quechua (केचुआ), Aymara(अय्मारा) and Rapa Nui (रापा नुई), in addition to Spanish.

Roughly 89% of the population is non-indigenous, representing mainly people of European ancestry and some Asian and Arab nationalities.  Till very recently, African and Caribbean ethnicity were virtually non-existent in Chile.  The remaining population is comprised of various ethnic groups such as the Aymara (0.7%), other indigenous groups (1%) (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai (लिकान् अन्ताई), Quechua, Colla (कोईया), Diaguita (दीयागीता), Kawesqar(कावेस्कार्), Yagan (यागन्) or Yamana(यामाना), unspecified (0.3%), with the largest (around 5%) being the Mapuche. (2016 estimate).

Main Religion (with %, if available)

Roman Catholic (66.7%), Evangelical or Protestant (16.4%), Jehovah’s Witnesses (1%), others (3.4%), none (11.5%), unspecified (1.1%).  (2012 estimate).

In the latest census, religion was not part of the census questions, hence updated information is not available.

Internet Penetration

26.9 million Internet users. Internet Penetration of 136.1 per 100 habitants in 2021 (Source: National Statistics Institute of Chile).

Mobile Phones

26,6 million. 134.5  subscription per 100 inhabitants in 2021.

(Source: Vice Ministry of Telecommunications).

The vast majority of Chileans live in urban cities like Santiago, Valparaiso (वल्पराइसो), Concepcion (कोन्सेप्सियोन्), Iquique (इकीके)(17.21 million).  The remaining population resides in rural areas (2.24 million).  (2020).

1 USD = CLP 795.85  (Official rate – April 2022)

1 INR = CLP 10.3586 (official rate – April 2022)

US$ 298.877 billion (2018); US$ 282.733 billion (2019) US$ 252.76 billion (2020) US$ 252.94 billion (2021)

3.9% (2018): 1.1% (2019); -5.8% (2020), 11% (2021)

Food and hospitality (33.9%), Commerce (22.6%), Services (22.4%), Construction (13.6%), Corporate services (11.0%), Communications (8.9%), Manufacturing (8.3%).

[Source: Annual Bulletin 2018 - 2021, Central Bank of Chile]

7.1 (2018) 7.1(2019); 10.3% (2020), 8.9% (2021) [Source: National Statistics Institute, INE]

3.5% (2019); 3% (2020);  7.2% (2021)

[Source: National Statistics Institute, INE]

US$ 25,714 (2018); US$ 25,395 (2019), US$ 25,110 (2020)

[Source: International Comparison Program, WorldBank]

Total Trade

US$  131.899 billion (2019); US$ 123.123 billion (2020);

US$ 171.962 billion (2021);[Source: Chilean Customs]

US$ 71.147 billion (2019); US$ 71.129 billion (2020);

US$ 92.213 billion (2021);[Source: Chilean Customs]

Imports

US$ 64.567 billion (2019); US$ 55.851 billion (2020);

US$ 87.511 billion (2021);[Source: Chilean Customs]

US$5.026 billion (2019); US$ 12.240 billion (2020)

Major Trade Partners

China, USA, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Mexico, and Peru. (2019) Source: Customs Office.

[India is 14^th largest trade partner of Chile in terms of Chile’s exports] (Source: Vice Ministry of Trade)

Chile is a unitary Republic and has a democratic Presidential system of government, with universal adult suffrage (age 18 and above) and a bicameral legislature. The President is the HoS and HoG, and is directly elected for a 4-year term. The 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. In the recent elections in Chile in 2021, Apruebo Dignidad (Approve Dignity) Coalition candidate  Mr. Gabriel Boric Font won by a huge margin. He received 55.9% votes, whereas his rival, far-right Mr. Jose Antonio Kast got 44.1% votes.

H.E. Mr. Gabriel Boric Font (महामहिम श्री गेब्रियल बोरिक फ़ॉन्ट)

Political issues include social reforms (abortion, women´s rights, free education, health etc.), economic reforms (tax reform, fiscal reform, labour reform, pension reform, utility pricing reform etc.), administrative reforms regarding the structure and scope of the Government and the Constitution, and environmental issues. Another longstanding issue is that of 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. The Covid 19 lockdown has further dampened the situation.

A new constitution is being written by a constitutional assembly (Constituent Convention), democratically elected and founded on July 4, 2021. After the Constituent Convention approves a new constitutional text by 5 July, 2022,  a plebiscite will be held in next 60 days to approve or reject it.

US$ 2227.35 mn (2018-19); US$ 1969.10 mn (2019-20); US$ 1475.60 mn (2020-21) US$ 2358.21 mn (2021-22)

(Source: Department of Commerce)

US$ 989.80 million (2018-19); US$ 793.43 mn (2019-20); US$ 805.00 mn (2020-21), US$ 1076.23 mn (2021-22)

(Source: Department of Commerce)

US$ 1237.55 million (2018-19); US$ 1175.67  mn (2019-20); US$ 670.60 mn (2020-21); US$ 1281.97 mn (2021-22)

(Source: Department of Commerce)

India’s exports to Chile – Motor cars exceeding 1000 cc, medical equipment, tubes and pipes, towels, industrial leather gloves, motor vehicles for transport of goods, footwear, motorcycles, auto parts, yarn of polyester fibers, articles of apparel, organic/inorganic and agro chemicals, home textiles & readymade garments, leather products.

Imports from Chile: Copper ore and concentrates, Molybdenum concentrate, chemical wood pulp of coniferous, apples, iodine, walnuts, copper cathodes, ferrous waste and scrap, aluminium waste and scrap.

Major Indian companies have a presence in Chile mainly in the mining/metallurgical, pharmaceutical, automotive and IT sectors, through acquisition of Chilean companies/or joint ventures and other collaborations. As per information provided by the companies, Indian investments till date are about US$ 220 million.

Persons of Indian Origin is estimated around 2100 and the number of Indian students is estimated around 35-40. 

Persons of Indian Origin is estimated around 2100 and the number of Indian students is estimated around 35-40. 

Indian diaspora

The origins of the Indian community in Chile can be traced back to 1905. Currently, it is estimated that there are around 3500 Indians living in Chile of whom 2100 have obtained Chilean nationality. 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

TCS, JSW Steel Ltd, Godrej, Evaluserve, Intellect Design, Oracle, Wipro, Ishkan, Dr. Reddy, Seven Pharma, Siron Pharma, MSN Laboratories, Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Mahindra, Apolo Tyres, Ashok Leyland, UPL, Sterling & Wilson, Tega Industries.