Quick facts
Chile population overview
Chile is the 6th most populous of 14 countries and territories in South America. The United Nations put the population at 19,905,542 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 223 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 169,197 births (8.5 per 1,000 people) and 135,358 deaths (6.8 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 47,773 people. The infant mortality rate is 5.2 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 8,153,350 in 1960 to 19,859,921 in 2025 — a change of +143.6%, or +1.4% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 37.4 years; life expectancy at birth is 81.7 years; women have on average 1.1 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 16.5% of residents are under 15 and 14.6% are 65 or older (2025); 89.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Santiago. Chile covers 757,245 km², giving a population density of about 26.4 people per km². GDP was $357.37B in 2025 — about $17,995 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Chile population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 19,970,626 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 19,905,542 |
| World rank | #67 of 238 |
| Rank in South America | #6 of 14 |
| Share of world population | 0.2% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 169,197 |
| Deaths per year est. | 135,358 |
| Net migration per year est. | +47,773 |
| Birth rate | 8.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 5.2 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 37.4 years |
| Life expectancy | 81.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.1 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 89.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 757,245 km² |
| Population density | 26.4 per km² |
| Capital | Santiago |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $357.37B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $17,995 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Chile population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 19,970,626 | – | – |
| 2025 | 19,859,921 | +95,150 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 19,764,771 | +105,936 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 19,658,835 | +105,799 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 19,553,036 | +96,702 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 19,456,334 | +85,710 | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 19,370,624 | +1,322,999 | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 18,047,625 | +866,161 | +1% |
| 2010 | 17,181,464 | +832,686 | +1% |
| 2005 | 16,348,778 | +845,143 | +1.1% |
| 2000 | 15,503,635 | +976,254 | +1.3% |
| 1995 | 14,527,381 | +1,090,205 | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 13,437,176 | +1,041,902 | +1.6% |
| 1985 | 12,395,274 | +886,724 | +1.5% |
| 1980 | 11,508,550 | +836,991 | +1.5% |
| 1975 | 10,671,559 | +826,215 | +1.6% |
| 1970 | 9,845,344 | +832,406 | +1.8% |
| 1965 | 9,012,938 | +859,588 | +2% |
| 1960 | 8,153,350 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Chile
Population over time
- From 8,153,350 in 1960 to 19,970,626 today — up 144.9%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 81.4 years (2024), up 24.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.1 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.7 births vs 6.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 2.1 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 16.5% of the population is under 15 and 14.6% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 3.3% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 77.82 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 95.25 Mt in 2019 — down 18.3% since.
- Per person: 3.94 t in 2024, vs 2.93 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,029 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), up 94.6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 24.2% of final energy in 2021 (-9.8 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 25% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 20.5% to 25% since 1990 — roughly 34,127 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 89.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 67.8% in 1960 (+21.3 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 4% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 45,262 m³ in 2022, down 57.4% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $357.37B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 47.4% since 2015.
- That works out to $17,995 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4.2% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 95.6% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 132.7 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Chile in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Chile in 2026?
As of October 2026, Chile has an estimated population of 19,970,626. The United Nations estimated 19,905,542 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Chile growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 223 more people every day. Each year there are about 169,197 births and 135,358 deaths, with net migration of +47,773.
What is the population density of Chile?
About 26.4 people per square kilometre: 19,970,626 people living on 757,245 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Chile?
The median age is 37.4 years, and life expectancy at birth is 81.7 years. 16.5% of the population is under 15 and 14.6% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Chile rank by population?
Chile is the 67th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 6th in South America, with 0.2% of the global population.
How has the population of Chile changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 8,153,350; by 2025 it had grown to 19,859,921 (+143.6%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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KazakhstanSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.