Chile - Population

The population of Chile in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 15,805,000, which placed it as number 60 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 7% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 28% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 98 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 1.23%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 18,019,000. The population density in 2002 was 20 per sq km (53 per sq mi). However, over 80% of the people live in the central region, between La Serena and Concepción, although this area covers little more than a quarter of the country.

It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 86% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. Santiago, the capital and largest city, had a population of 5,440,000 in 2002. Other large cities include Viña del Mar, 302,765; Valparaíso, 276,737; Talcahuano, 246,556; Concepción, 329,304; Antofagasta, 226,749; Temuco, 240,880; and Rancagua, 187,134. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was 1.5%.