Population Growth Trends in Chile (1990-2023)
Chile's population increased from 13.3 million in 1990 to 19.6 million in 2023, with a marked acceleration in the 1990s and early 2000s. Economic reforms and political stabilization after the Pinochet era helped boost development, leading to better living conditions and higher birth rates. Urbanization accelerated as Chileans moved to cities for improved economic prospects, contributing to population growth. In the early 2000s, healthcare advancements reduced child mortality and extended life expectancy, sustaining a growing population. However, starting in the 2010s, growth rates began to slow. Economic shifts and changing societal norms led to declining fertility rates, reflecting increased female labor force participation and greater emphasis on family planning. By 2018, growth had leveled off, and between 2020 and 2023, the population stabilized with minimal annual increases. The slowing trend is tied to Chile’s transition toward a more developed economy, with aging demographics and reduced birth rates pointing to an evolving population structure that could present future economic and social challenges.
For a deeper dive into the topic, explore Chile’s evolving median age, Chile’s manufacturing contribution to GDP, Chile’s military personnel proportion.
