Chile's 2024 census counted 18,480,432 people, according to the first results released by the National Statistics Institute (INE) in March 2025, as reported by El Dínamo. That is about 906,000 more people than in the 2017 census, an increase of roughly 5%. The World Bank series, which rely on estimates and projections, give a higher figure: 19.86 million in 2025.
How many people live in Chile: census and estimates
| Source | Population | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 census (INE, preliminary results) | 18,480,432 | Direct count of people, March–July 2024 |
| 2017 census (INE) | 17,574,003 | Direct count |
| World Bank, 2024 | 19,764,771 | Estimate |
| World Bank, 2025 | 19,859,921 | Estimate |
The gap of more than one million people exists because a census is a count and international series are estimates based on projections. The 2024 census found fewer people than those projections expected, so official figures will be adjusted over time. The census figures used here are the first results, released in March 2025; INE may have published later adjustments.
Chile's population by decade
According to the World Bank, Chile's population grew more than 2.4 times between 1960 and 2025:
| Year | Population (World Bank) | People aged 65 or older |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 8,153,350 | 3.3% |
| 1970 | 9,845,344 | 3.9% |
| 1980 | 11,508,550 | 4.7% |
| 1990 | 13,437,176 | 6.0% |
| 2000 | 15,503,635 | 8.2% |
| 2010 | 17,181,464 | 10.0% |
| 2020 | 19,370,624 | 12.6% |
| 2025 | 19,859,921 | 14.6% |
Chile is aging: fewer children, more older adults
The census's most striking finding is aging. People aged 65 or older rose from 6.6% of the population in 1992 to 14% in 2024, according to INE results reported by Emol. World Bank series show the same trend: in 1960, only 3.3% were 65 or older.
- Fewer births: families have fewer children than a few decades ago.
- Longer lives: life expectancy exceeds 81 years, as we explain in another article.
- Migration: arrivals from other countries partly offset the drop in births.
See how much life expectancy has risen in life expectancy in Chile.
Women and men, and where people live
| 2024 census data | Figure |
|---|---|
| Women | 9,513,399 (51.5%) |
| Men | 8,967,033 (48.5%) |
| Metropolitan Region | 7,400,741 |
| Followed by | Valparaíso and Biobío |
Four in ten inhabitants live in the Metropolitan Region. That concentration explains much of the cost of housing and congestion in Santiago.
Chile compared with its neighbors
| Country | Population 2025 (World Bank) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 212,812,405 |
| Mexico | 131,946,900 |
| Colombia | 53,425,635 |
| Argentina | 45,851,378 |
| Peru | 34,576,665 |
| Venezuela | 28,516,896 |
| Chile | 19,859,921 |
| Guatemala | 18,687,881 |
| Ecuador | 18,289,896 |
| Bolivia | 12,581,843 |
Among the countries in the table, Chile is the seventh most populous. For other data on the country over time, see unemployment in Chile over the last 50 years and GDP growth.
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Chile?
The 2024 census counted 18,480,432 people. The World Bank estimates 19.86 million for 2025.
Why do the census and the World Bank differ?
Because the census is a direct count, while the World Bank uses estimates based on projections.
How many people live in the Metropolitan Region?
7,400,741, according to the 2024 census.
Is Chile aging?
Yes. People aged 65 or older went from 6.6% of the population in 1992 to 14% in 2024.
