Chile
The Republic of Chile is the southernmost country in the world, situated in Latin America, with a population of 19.5 million. It is one of the most industrialized countries in Latin America and is the world’s largest copper producer. Copper production constitutes 50% of the country’s exports and consequently, Chile is vulnerable to the fluctuations in global copper pricing.
While one of Latin America’s most economically prosperous countries, Chile also has the widest gap in wealth distribution.
SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children and young people without parental care, or at risk of losing it, in Chile since 1965.
Children are at risk
Young children in Chile are at a high risk of domestic violence and abuse. The fluctuating global price of copper has had a direct consequence on employment opportunities for the salaried, as well as income generation for the self-employed. This has resulted in growing social unrest in the face of inflation and rising costs of living. Many children are forced to leave school at a young age in search of work to contribute to the household income. Attaining a basic education has thus become less important and has perpetuated the poverty cycle of those children from low-income homes.
1 in 5
Children do not finish primary school
Education
In Chile, around 1 in 5 children do not finish primary school. This is not the same across all of the country because there is a wide disparity in educational attainment levels across the country.
Chile currently has one of the lowest public spending on education. This leaves many schools underfunded.
As a result, access to quality education is limited and related to a family’s socio-economic standing.
65%
Difference in wealth distribution
Income inequality
Despite successful measures to reduce poverty rates across the country, income inequality remains high.
Nearly 53% of households are classified as economically vulnerable, wherein families have no buffer against any abrupt changes in income.
Across Latin America, unequal wealth distribution is at its widest in Chile: 65% wider than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) average.
400,000
Homes destroyed in the 2010 earthquake
Natural disasters
In 2010, around 400,000 homes were destroyed in an earthquake. The earthquake devastated many areas around the country. The government estimated two million people had been directly affected with over 400,000 homes and commercial properties destroyed.
Infrastructure repairs began as soon as possible, however, the disparity in services provided to more deprived neighbourhoods was glaring. Hundreds of families had to move to makeshift shelters and many have been living in poor conditions till today.
Together we can make a difference for children in Chile
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320
Families
Can stay together
350
Children
Grow up in our care
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50
Children and young people
Are supported on their way to independence
