People and Society of Chile

Chile is in the advanced stages of demographic transition and is becoming an aging society - with fertility below replacement level, low mortality rates, and life expectancy on par with developed countries. Nevertheless, with its dependency ratio nearing its low point, Chile could benefit from its favorable age structure. It will need to keep its large working-age population productively employed, while preparing to provide for the needs of its growing proportion of elderly people, especially as women - the traditional caregivers - increasingly enter the workforce. Over the last two decades, Chile has made great strides in reducing its poverty rate, which is now lower than most Latin American countries. However, its severe income inequality ranks as the worst among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Unequal access to quality education perpetuates this uneven income distribution. Chile has historically been a country of emigration but has slowly become more attractive to immigrants since transitioning to democracy in 1990 and improving its economic stability (other regional destinations have concurrently experienced deteriorating economic and political conditions). Most of Chile's small but growing foreign-born population consists of transplants from other Latin American countries, especially Peru.

Nationality

noun: Chilean(s) adjective: Chilean

Ethnic Groups

White and non-Indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, other Indigenous groups 1% (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Kawesqar, Yagan or Yamana), unspecified 0.3%

Population

16,746,491

Population (Male / Female)

male: 9,169,736 female: 9,494,916

Population Distribution

90% of the population is located in the middle third of the country around the capital of Santiago; the far north (anchored by the Atacama Desert) and the extreme south are relatively underpopulated

Urban Population

urban population: 88% of total population rate of urbanization: 0.78% annual rate of change

Population in Major Urban Areas

6.903 million SANTIAGO (capital), 1.009 million Valparaiso, 912,000 Concepcion

Age Structure

0-14 years: 19.2% (male 1,822,908/female 1,751,528) 15-64 years: 67.3% (male 6,274,620/female 6,278,467) 65 years and over: 13.6%

Median Age

total: 36.9 years male: 35.8 years female: 38.2 years

Sex Ratio at Birth

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female

Santiago has two main private hospitals that are accredited by The American Hospital Association and meet U.S. standards: Clinica Alemana and Clinica Las Condes. Both have international patient departments and experience with some international insurance companies. Medical care in Chile is generally good, though it may not meet U.S. standards in remote areas. Major hospitals accept credit cards, but many doctors and hospitals in Chile expect immediate payment in cash. Prescriptions written by local doctors and over-the-counter medicines are widely available. Air pollution is a major health concern in Santiago, resulting in severe bronchial ailments affecting infants, small children, and the elderly. The most severe air pollution occurs during the winter (May through August). The ozone layer is especially thin over parts of Chile. Take precautions to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation.

Life Expectancy at Birth

total population: 80.3 years male: 77.3 years female: 83.3 years

Infant Mortality Rate

total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population

Tobacco Use

total: 29.2% male: 31.6% female: 26.8%

Alcohol Consumption

total: 7.8 liters of pure alcohol beer: 2.76 liters of pure alcohol wine: 2.61 liters of pure alcohol spirits: 2.43 liters of pure alcohol other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Total School Life Expectancy

total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years

Classroom

Children wear uniforms that have a badge to school. The badge identifies which school the student attends. High school students wear black and white uniforms and are sometimes known by the nickname “penguins.” It is not unusual for a school to be an open-air building (especially in northern regions, which means that classes can be quite chilly in the winter. However, because it rarely rains in such areas, there is no need to provide protection against bad weather. Open schools usually have a large open courtyard that serves as a theater, playground, and assembly hall. Around the courtyard are hallways that lead to classrooms, offices, and bathrooms. Like students in many Asian schools, students stay in the same classroom all day—except when they have a class that requires different classroom equipment, such as a computer class. Until the mid-1990s, school was conducted in two shifts, morning and afternoon. This has now changed to a longer school day. The previous two-shift schedule was used in part to keep a low student-teacher ratio. Since the change, the national Ministry of Education has set a maximum ratio of no more than 45 students for every teacher. Most classes have about 40 students.

Education Culture

Although, as in most Latin American countries, has only in recent years encouraged girls to gain as much education as boys, the country also has a tradition of providing education to women who wanted higher levels of education. For example, Chile was the first country in Latin America to graduate female lawyers and physicians—in the 1880s from the University of Chile! As women have access to more and more education, the number of women in the workforce, including the professional workforce, is increasing. This means that extended family members often help to raise little children while their mothers are working during the day. Chile is similar to many Latin American countries in that most children (approximately 90%) attend elementary school. However, only slightly over half will attend preschool, and slightly less than half will remain in high school. Impressively, nearly 20% of the national government budget goes to education. Despite this, many Chileans feel that the educational system has some serious problems and does not do a very good job of educating their children. The school year begins in late February or early March and finishes in December so that the children do not attend during the hottest months. There are two major breaks of two weeks each in the school year—one in June or July and another in September. Approximately 70 percent of the schools in Chile are privately owned. Many students do not attend school after they finish elementary school. They are often required to begin working to support their family. Most high school students come from upper-middle-class or upper-class families.

Learning

Children study between 10 and 13 subjects during each school week, and they stay with the same group of classmates all day long. Children are required to attend elementary school for eight years (ages 6-13), with optional attendance in effect for four years of high school (ages 14-17). All classes are taught in Spanish, the national language. Subjects include math, science, history, geography, Spanish, English, music, belief systems, technology, and physical education. In some areas with high populations of native peoples, their local language is also taught in school. These tend to be in rural areas removed from cities and larger towns. General basic education (EGB) is compulsory and lasts for eight years, divided into two cycles of four years each. Secondary education (Educación media) lasts for four years. Students choose to specialize either in humanistic-scientific education (EMHC) or technical-professional education (EMTP). The humanistic-scientific branch, offered in liceos, is a preparation for higher education. Students are awarded the Licencia de Educación Media at the end. Technical-professional education offers a two-year common course and two years of specialization divided into five branches: industrial, technical, agricultural, commercial, and maritime. Students who successfully complete their secondary education obtain the Licencia de Educación Media or the title of Técnico de Nivel Medio.

To School

School generally begins at 8:00 in the morning and is done at around 4:00 in the afternoon. Kids will usually walk or ride a public transportation bus to school, depending on how far from the school they live. The public buses offer reduced fares to students, who wear badges that identify with the school they attend. Some schools provide lunch for the students, while others (in rural areas or certain private schools) allow students to go home for lunch.

• Roman Catholic89.0%
• Protestant11.0%

Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English

Spanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, Indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census

• Spanish

• Gabriela Mistral

  Born Lucila Godoy y Alcayaga, this Chilean educator, cultural minister, diplomat, and poet was the first Latin American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, awarded in 1945 "for her lyric poetry which, inspired by powerful emotions, has made her name a symbol of the idealistic aspirations of the entire Latin American world."

• Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto

  Born in southern Chile, on July 12, 1904. Chilean poet, writer, diplomat, political activist and exile, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, "people’s poet," senator, and one of the greatest South American poets.

• Diego Portales Palazuelos

• Manuel Blanco Encalada

  Chile’s first president.

• Pablo Neruda

  Chilean poet, writer, diplomat, political activist and exile, Nobel Prize winner for Literature, "people’s poet," senator. Born Neftalí Ricardo Reyes Basoalto in southern Chile, on July 12, 1904

Crime Information

Most foreigners visit Chile without incident. Nevertheless, street crime is a problem, especially in Santiago and Valparaiso. As in any large city, be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Be alert for pick-pocketing, purse and camera snatching, and thefts from backpacks and rental cars. Petty crime is common in major tourist destinations, in hotel lobbies and restaurants, internet cafes, at bus and subway stations, and in cruise ship ports. Exercise caution when touring Cerro Santa Lucia, Cerro San Cristobal, and Mercado Central as pick-pocketing and muggings occur frequently in these areas. Criminals usually work in groups and employ a variety of ruses to distract and victimize unsuspecting visitors. A few taxi drivers engage in currency switching and overcharge with altered taxi meters. Incidents of individuals smashing car windows of occupied vehicles stopped in traffic and taking items of value on seats have occurred. Drivers should keep car doors locked at all times and valuables out of sight while driving and while the vehicle is parked. Your passport is a valuable document. Report the loss or theft of a U.S. passport to the police and to the U.S. Embassy immediately. Secure your passport and other valuables in a hotel safe, and carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes. Leave copies of your passport and important documents with family members in case of emergency. Counterfeit and pirated goods may sometimes be available in Chile, and transactions involving such products are generally illegal under local law. In addition, bringing such goods back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. The local equivalents to the “911” emergency lines in Chile follow an ABC-123 plan: 131 - Ambulancia/Ambulance 132 - Bomberos/Fire Department 133 - Carabineros/Police Department

Criminal Penalties

While in Chile, you are subject to Chile's laws and regulations. Chilean laws may differ significantly from those in the United States. You may not have the same protections available to you as under U.S. law, and penalties for breaking the law can also be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Chile's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Chile are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Persons engaging in sexual conduct with children and using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country may be prosecuted in the United States. Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Chile, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S. Embassy in Santiago of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.