Emerging Medical Marketplace Overview Latin America: Chile

Chile covers an area of 756,945 square kilometers (302,778 square miles), nearly twice the size of California. The country’s capital, Santiago, has a metropolitan area population of 5.2 million. The other main population centers in Chile are Concepción-Talcahuano (with a population of 840,000), Viña del Mar-Valparaiso (with a population of 800,000), Antofagasta (with a population of 245,000), and Temuco (with a population of 230,000). Chile has a total population of approximately 15 million; this population is increasing at an annual rate of 1.5%. Ethnic groups include Spanish/Native-American (Mestizo), European, and Native-American. The main religions are Roman Catholic (89%) and Protestant (11%). The adult literacy rate in Chile is 94%. The work force (which consists of 5.2 million people) is distributed with 36% of workers in services and government; 34% in industry and commerce; 14% in agriculture, forestry, and fishing; 7% in construction; and 2% in mining.