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Fact Sheet of Chile
| General | ||
| Official name | Republic of Chile | |
| Capital | Santiago | |
| Area | 756,102 sq.kms. | |
| Currency Exchange rate with US$ & INR | Chilean Peso 1 USD = Ch$ 600.55 (official rate – April 2018) 1 INR = Ch$ 9.2568 (official rate – April 2018) |
|
| GDP (PPP) | US$ 455.94 billion (2017 est.) | |
| GDP per capita (PPP) | US$ 24,588 (2017 est.) | |
| GDP Growth Rate | 1.7% (2017 est.) | |
| Unemployment | 6.64% (2017) | |
| Forest Cover | 17520869 hectares. (23% of total area). | |
| CO2 Emissions | 76 million Mt (2013 estimate) | |
| Tourist Arrivals | 64,49,883 (2017). (+14.3% as compared to 2016). | |
| Population | 17.37 million (estimate) | |
| 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) |
|
| Life Expectancy | 1. Overall: 78.8; Male: 75.7; Female: 81.9 2. (2016 estimate) |
|
| Languages | 90% of the population speaks Spanish and 10% speak various indigenous languages such as Mapudungun, Quechua, Aymara and Rapa Nui, in addition to Spanish. | |
| Ethnic Groups | Roughly 89% of the population is non-indigenous, represent-ing 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, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Kawesqar, Yagan or Yamana), unspecified (0.3%), with the largest (around 5%) being the Mapuche. (2012 estimate). | |
| Religion | Roman Catholic (66.7%), Evangelical or Protestant (16.4%), Jehovah’s Witnesses (1%), others (3.4%), none (11.5%), unspecified (1.1%). (2012 estimate). | |
| Internet Penetration | 11.256 million Internet users representing 64.3% of the population. (July 2015 estimate). | |
| Mobile Phones | 23.206 million. (Subscription per 100 inhabitants: 133). (July 2015 estimate). | |
| Urbanization | The vast majority of Chileans live in urban cities like Santiago, Valparaiso, Concepcion, Iquique (16.46 million). The remaining population resides in rural areas (2.17 million). (Figures of 2012). | |
| Exports | US$ 65.882 billion (2017) | |
| Imports | US$ 59.483 billion (2017) | |
| Major Trade Partners | USA, China, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Peru and India. | |
| 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. From 2014 till date, the ruling coalition “Nueva Mayoria” (New Majority) represented a mix of centrist and leftist parties, including the Communist Party. The elections of November-December 2017 have seen a shift to the rightist, with Sebastian Pinera´s “Chile Vamos” coalition returning to power with the participation of UDI, RN and EVO. (The “Chile Vamos” coalition was earlier called “Coalicion por el Cambio” (Coalition for Change) during Sebastian Pinera´s first term as President of Chile from 2010 to 2014). |
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| Major Political Parties according to political orientation | Senate: (1) Christian Democratic Party (DC) (Centre) (2) Independent Democratic Union (UDI) (Right) (3) Party for Democracy (PPD) (Centre-Left) (4) Socialist Party (PS) (Left oriented) (5) National Renewal (RN) (Centre-Right) Chamber of Deputies: (1) Independent Democratic Union (UDI) (Right) (2) Christian Democratic Party (DC) (Centre) (3) Socialist Party (PS) (Left oriented) (4) Party for Democracy (PPD) (Centre-Left) (5) National Renewal (RN) (Centre-Right) (6) Social Democrat Radical Party (PRSD) (Centre-Left) (7) Communist Party (PC) (Leftist) {Note: The DC, PS, PPD, PRSD and PC were part of “Nueva Mayoria” coalition from 2014-17. The UDI and RN are part of the “Chile Vamos” coalition}. |
|
| Head of State | H.E. Mr. Sebastian Pinera Echenique | |
| Head of Government | Same as above. | |
| Foreign Minister | H.E. Mr. Roberto Ampuero Espinoza | |
| Political Issues | Political issues include social reforms (abortion, women´s rights, free education, health etc.,), economic reforms (tax reform, fiscal reform, labour reform, a direction of economic policy 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 demand for autonomy for their region (Araucania) or at least a division of powers between the Central and Regional government. In this demand, Araucania is joined by the region of Punta Arenas, also in the south of Chile. The debate on all the above issues, shows considerable polarization between the right and left wings of the political spectrum, and consensus building is a major focus of most Chilean governments. Especially, in the last four years, the failure to achieve consensus has led to a lack of delivery on reform promises and this coupled with intense media coverage of financial scandals has led to a decrease in public trust in politicians. | |
| Bilateral | ||
| India’s Exports to Chile | US$ 776.99 million (2017) | |
| India’s Imports from Chile | US$ 1742.33 million (2017) | |
| Indian Exports to Chile (top items) | Motor cars (exceeding 1000 cc and below 1000 cc), Motor cars (exceeding 1000 cc but less than 3000 cc), motor vehicles for transport of goods, motor cycles, medicaments, Industrial leather gloves, electric panels/consoles, towels, dresses of artificial fibres, fish body oil, clothes, etc. | |
| Indian Imports from Chile (top items) | Copper ores and concentrates, Iodine, Chemical wood pulp of coniferous and eucalyptus, coal (not agglomerated), Molybdenum concentrate, Apples (Royal gala variety and Richard Delicious variety), Walnuts in shell, Stainless steel waste and scrap, Aluminium waste and scrap, kiwis, etc. | |
| Indian Investments in Chile | 26 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 are about US$ 216.25 million. | |
| Chilean Investments in India | Chilean investment in India is US$ 150.54 million. (Source: DIPP). | |
| Indian Community | The origins of the Indian community in Chile can be traced back to 1905. Currently, it is estimated that there are around 3000 Indians living in Chile of whom approx. 50% 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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