Background on Chile’s Declining Fertility Rate
In 2024, Chile’s total fertility rate (TFR) reached 1.03 children per woman, marking an 11% decrease in births from the previous year, according to data released by Chile’s National Statistics Institute (INE).
This decline places Chile among countries with some of the lowest TFRs globally, which is the average number of children born to a woman during her reproductive years.
Key Statistics and Trends
- In 2024, there were 154,441 live births in Chile, a decrease of 19,633 compared to 2023.
- The birth rate has been steadily declining, with a 9.1% drop in January 2025 and a 6.1% decline in February 2025, as reported by INE.
- According to the United Nations World Fertility Report, Chile’s fertility rate is among the lowest globally, similar to countries like Singapore, China, Ukraine, and South Korea.
- Only 14 countries or territories worldwide had a TFR lower than Chile’s in 2023 (1.16), as per INE data.
Factors Contributing to the Declining Fertility Rate in Chile
Experts have pointed out several reasons for this trend in Chile:
- Rising living costs
- Increased demands of motherhood
- Limited state support for childcare
Additionally, the average maternal age in Chile has risen to between 30 and 34 years, while teen pregnancies have drastically decreased by 80% over the past two decades.
Impact of Foreign-Born Mothers on Chile’s Birth Rate
Although the overall birth rate in Chile continues to decline, foreign-born mothers have marginally slowed this trend:
- Between 2017 and 2022, the proportion of births by foreign mothers in Chile increased from 6.9% to 18.9%, a more than two-fold rise.
- Among foreign-born mothers, Venezuelan (20.3%), Peruvian (10.6%), and Haitian (10.0%) mothers constitute the majority.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the total fertility rate (TFR) in Chile for 2024? The TFR in Chile for 2024 is 1.03 children per woman.
- Why has Chile’s birth rate continued to decline? Factors contributing to this trend include rising living costs, increased demands of motherhood, limited state support for childcare, and a rising average maternal age.
- Which groups of foreign-born mothers are contributing to Chile’s birth rate? Venezuelan, Peruvian, and Haitian mothers constitute the majority of foreign-born mothers in Chile.
