Chile
South America · South America
South America's most stable economy, with excellent infrastructure and strong institutions.
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Ideal destination
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At a Glance
📈Chile's Human Development Index
0.860
Very High human development#43 of 191 countries worldwide, #1 of 12 in South America.
Higher than 78% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Chile
Chile is a country of extraordinary geographic length, running from the driest desert on earth in the Atacama north to the dramatic glaciers and fjords of Patagonia in the south, with fertile wine valleys, volcanoes, and the lakes district in between. The cities, particularly Santiago and Valparaíso, are sophisticated and culturally engaged. It suits a wide range of travellers, from serious hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to those who enjoy excellent wine, food, and a well-functioning urban culture.
- Longest country in the world — 4,300km from top to bottom.
- The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar place on earth — parts have never recorded rainfall.
- World's largest copper reserves — roughly a third of global supply.
Quick Facts
Capital
Santiago
Language
Spanish
Currency
$ CLP
Area
742,832 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
338Mbps
Mobile
83Mbps
GDP / Capita
$18K
PPP / Capita
$38K
Inflation
4.2%
Unemployment
9.0%
Innovation (GII)
33.1
GNI / Capita
$17K
Tax Revenue
18.3%
FDI Inflows
4.1%
Education Spend
4.9%
Cost of Living
39.0
Price Level Index
42nd pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.705 → 0.860 (+0.155)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
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💬Quick answers
What is Chile's Human Development Index?
Chile's Human Development Index is 0.860 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #43 of 191 countries.
Is Chile safe?
Chile scores 1.83 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #52 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
How expensive is Chile?
Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Chile at 39.0 (New York = 100); that is #61 cheapest of 143 countries with data.
What is life expectancy in Chile?
Life expectancy at birth in Chile is 81.4 yrs (World Bank), ranked #35 of 195 countries.
What is the quality of life in Chile?
Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Chile at 109.8, ranked #70 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.