Chile Population and religion percentage

Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It occupies a long, narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Chile is the southernmost country in the world, the closest to Antarctica. As per the UN World Population Prospects report, the estimated population of  Chile in 2024 is 19,658,840 (20 millions)

Chile

Chile map – Img courtesy Britannica

Chile 2024 Population
Total Population 19,658,840 (19.6 million)
Global Rank 65
Land Area  743,812 sq. km (287,187 sq. mi)
Area Rank 37
Pop. Density 26 people/sq. km

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2019

Religion in Chile

In Chile, the predominant religion is Christianity, with a significant majority of the population identifying as Christians. Among them, Catholics make up the largest religious group and makeup 45% of the population. Protestants are the second largest religious group and it is followed by 15% of the population.

Interestingly, around 36% of the Chilean population has declared themselves to be religiously unaffiliated or not adhering to any specific faith, highlighting the diverse religious landscape in the country. This cultural and religious diversity is an integral part of Chile’s societal fabric. Other smaller faiths and religions make up 4% of the Chile population.

Religion percentage in Chile

  • Roman Catholic – 45%
  • Protestant – 15%
  • None – 36%
  • Others – 4%

Chile Ethnic composition

Chile is a diverse society with varied ethnic backgrounds. Approximately 50-60% of the Chilean populace can be traced back to European roots, highlighting the significant influence of European settlers on the nation’s demographic landscape. 

In addition to the European heritage, a substantial portion of the Chilean population, accounting for 30-40%, identifies as Mestizo. Mestizo people are of mixed European and indigenous ancestry, representing a harmonious blending of cultures that is emblematic of many Latin American nations.

Furthermore, Chile is home to a diverse Indigenous population, constituting approximately 8-10% of the total inhabitants. These Indigenous communities, each with their distinct languages, traditions, and belief systems, add depth and richness to Chile’s cultural heritage. They have preserved their unique customs over generations, enriching the country’s cultural fabric and reminding the nation of its indigenous roots.

Ethnic Composition

  • White – 50-60%
  • Mestizo – 30-40%
  • Mapuche – 9.1%
  • Aymara – 0.7%
  • Other groups – 1.3%

Source: various estimates

Top Cities in Chile by Population
#CityProvincePopulation
1Santiago MetropolisSantiago Metropolitan Region5,428,590
2Greater ValparaísoValparaíso Region803,683
3Greater ConcepciónBiobío Region666,381
4Greater La SerenaCoquimbo Region296,253
5AntofagastaAntofagasta Region285,255
6Greater TemucoAraucanía Region260,878
7Rancagua conurbationO’Higgins Region236,363
8TalcaMaule Region191,154
9AricaArica and Parinacota Region175,441
10Chillán conurbationÑuble Region165,528
Population of Chile 2024 | Religion in Chile

Rajeev Rana

Rajeev Rana loves reading about history and demography and has been writing on these topics for five years. While not a certified expert, he has a deep understanding of demography in India. Rajeev contributes to several websites and has extensive knowledge of the Delhi NCR area.

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