Fact Sheet of Chile
Embassy of India
Santiago
Chile: Factsheet
GENERAL | ||
Official Name |
Republic of Chile (रिपब्लिक ओफ़ चिले) Republica de Chile (Spanish) |
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Capital |
Santiago (सान्तियागो) |
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Area |
756,102 sq.kms. |
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Weather (in °C) |
Max. 33°C & Min. 16°C [Hottest month, January, 12-29°C; coldest month, June, 3-14°C (average daily minimum and maximum)] |
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Population |
19.458 (2020) (Source: Statistical Bulletin February 2021, Central Bank of Chile) |
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Forest Cover |
17520869 hectares. (23% of total area). |
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CO2 Emissions |
4.90 metric tones per capita (2019) (Source:Knoema) |
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Tourist Arrivals (Year) | 11,22,858 (2020), 2021 – 190,022 (Source: Chilean Vice Ministry of Tourism)
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Age Profile |
0-14 years: 20.27% (male 1,825,115 / female 1,751,977) (2016 estimate) |
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Life Expectancy |
Overall: 78.1; Male: 75.7; Female: 83.6 (2020) |
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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. |
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Ethnic Groups |
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). |
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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. |
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Internet Penetration |
26.9 million Internet users. Internet Penetration of 136.1 per 100 habitants in 2021 (Source: National Statistics Institute of Chile). |
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Mobile Phones |
26,6 million. 134.5 subscription per 100 inhabitants in 2021. (Source: Vice Ministry of Telecommunications). |
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Urbanization |
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). (Source: National Statistics Institute of Chile) |
ECONOMIC | ||
Currency | Chilean Peso (चिलेयन् पेसो) | |
Exchange rate with US$ & INR |
1 USD = CLP 795.85 (Official rate – April 2022) 1 INR = CLP 10.3586 (official rate – April 2022) |
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GDP (PPP) |
US$ 298.877 billion (2018); US$ 282.733 billion (2019) US$ 252.76 billion (2020) US$ 252.94 billion (2021) |
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GDP Growth Rate |
3.9% (2018): 1.1% (2019); -5.8% (2020), 11% (2021) |
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Major Sectors (% of GDP) |
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] |
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Unemployment (%) |
7.1 (2018) 7.1(2019); 10.3% (2020), 8.9% (2021) [Source: National Statistics Institute, INE] |
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Inflation (%) |
3.5% (2019); 3% (2020); 7.2% (2021) [Source: National Statistics Institute, INE] |
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GDP Per Capita |
US$ 25,714 (2018); US$ 25,395 (2019), US$ 25,110 (2020) [Source: International Comparison Program, WorldBank] |
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Total Trade |
US$ 131.899 billion (2019); US$ 123.123 billion (2020); US$ 171.962 billion (2021);[Source: Chilean Customs] |
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Exports |
US$ 71.147 billion (2019); US$ 71.129 billion (2020); US$ 92.213 billion (2021);[Source: Chilean Customs] |
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Imports |
US$ 64.567 billion (2019); US$ 55.851 billion (2020); US$ 87.511 billion (2021);[Source: Chilean Customs] |
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Balance of Trade |
US$5.026 billion (2019); US$ 12.240 billion (2020) |
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Major Trade Partners (Currency Unit billion) |
China, USA, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Mexico, and Peru. (2019) Source: Customs Office. [India is 14th largest trade partner of Chile in terms of Chile’s exports] (Source: Vice Ministry of Trade) |
Political | ||
Political Structure |
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. |
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Head of State (President) |
H.E. Mr. Gabriel Boric Font (महामहिम श्री गेब्रियल बोरिक फ़ॉन्ट) (Sworn in on 11 March, 2022) |
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Head of Government | Same as above. | |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | H.E. Ms. Antonio Urrejola Noguera (सुश्री एंटोनिया उर्रेजोला नोगुएरा) (from 11 March 2022) | |
Political Issues |
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. Public discontent and dissatisfaction with the government may explode if the Constituent Assembly process proves unsatisfactory. |
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Bilateral Trade |
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) |
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India’s Exports to Chile |
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) |
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India’s Imports from Chile |
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) |
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Major Items of Export and Import |
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. |
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Indian Investments in Chile |
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. |
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Chilean Investments in India |
Persons of Indian Origin is estimated around 2100 and the number of Indian students is estimated around 35-40. |
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Indian Origin/ PRs/ Indian Students |
Persons of Indian Origin is estimated around 2100 and the number of Indian students is estimated around 35-40. |
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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. 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. |
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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. |