Economy of Chile: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox Economy |
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|country = Chile |
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|currency = [[Chilean peso]] (CLP) |
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|year = calendar year |
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|organs = [[World Trade Organization|WTO]], [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]], [[South American Community of Nations|SACN]], [[Mercosur]] (associate), [[Andean Community of Nations|CAN]] (associate), [[Unasur]] |
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|rank = 46 |
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|gdp = $234.4 billion (2007 est.) |
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|growth = 5.2% (2007 est.) |
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|per capita = $14,400 (2007 est.) |
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|sectors = agriculture: 4.9%, industry: 49.7%, services: 45.4% (2007 est.) |
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|inflation = 6.5% (2007 est.) |
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|poverty = 18.2% |
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|gini = 54.9 (2003) |
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|labor = 6.97 million (2007 est.) |
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|occupations = agriculture: 13.6%, industry: 23.4%, services: 63% (2003 est.) |
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|unemployment = 7% (2007 est.) |
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|industries = aircraft, copper, other minerals, foodstuffs, fish processing, iron and steel, wood and wood products, transport equipment, cement, textiles |
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|exports = $66.43 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) |
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|export-goods = copper, fish, fruits, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine, a gem called Lapis Lazuli (only found in Andes Mountains, Egypt and Afghanistan) |
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|export-partners = [[United States|U.S.]] 15.6%, [[Japan]] 10.5%, [[People's Republic of China|China]] 8.6%, [[Netherlands]] 6.7%, [[South Korea]] 5.9%, [[Italy]] 4.9%, [[Brazil]] 4.8%, [[France]] 4.2% (2006) |
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|imports = $41.8 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.) |
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|import-goods = petroleum and petroleum products, chemicals, electrical and telecommunications equipment, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas |
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|import-partners = [[United States|U.S.]] 15.6%, [[Argentina]] 12.6%, [[Brazil]] 11.8%, [[People's Republic of China|China]] 9.7% (2006) |
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|gross external debt = $49.18 billion (30 June 2007) |
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|debt = 3.6% of GDP (2007 est.) |
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|revenue = $44.44 billion |
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|expenses = $31.36 billion (2007 est.) |
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|aid = $0 million (2006) |
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|cianame = ci |
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}}[[Chile]] has a dynamic market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade. During the early 1990s, Chile's reputation as a role model for economic reform was strengthened when the democratic government of [[Patricio Aylwin]] - which took over from the military in 1990 - deepened the economic reform initiated by the military government. Growth in real [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] averaged 8% during the period 1991-1997, but fell to half that level in 1998 because of tight monetary policies implemented to keep the [[current account deficit]] in check and because of lower export earnings - the latter a product of the global financial crisis. Chile's economy has since recovered and has seen growth rates of 5-7% over the past several years. In 2006, Chile became the country with the highest [[nominal GDP]] per capita in Latin America.<ref name=EC>[http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/chile/csp/07_13_en.pdf ''Chile: Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013.'' European Commission, 11/04/2007, §3.4, (E/2007/615)]</ref> Even though the exceptional Chilean economic results, when measured exclusively by the GNP indicators (a gauge that does not adequately depict the social depth of economic wellbeing) the Chilean economy [[income distribution]] has been extremely poor. Chile ranks 80th among the countries on the list of income distribution, being the fourth worst in Latin America (only above Brazil, Paraguay and Colombia) and ranking, on that important indicator, behind much poorer African countries such as Zambia, Nigeria and Malawi. |
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The [[Global Competitiveness Report]] for 2007-2008 ranks Chile as being the 26th most competitive country.<ref>[http://www.weforum.org/pdf/Global_Competitiveness_Reports/Reports/gcr_2007/gcr2007_rankings.pdf GCR.part1.qxd<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[Ease of doing business index]] created by the [[World Bank]] lists Chile as 33rd in the world that encompasses better, usually simpler, regulations for businesses and stronger protections of property rights.<ref>[http://www.doingbusiness.org/economyrankings/ Rankings - Doing Business - The World Bank Group<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The [[OECD]] agreed to invite Chile to be among four countries to open discussions in becoming an official member.<ref>[http://www.chileusafta.com/noticia%2047.htm Economic Department - Embassy of Chile in the United States of America<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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==Macroeconomic trend== |
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{{refimprovesect|date=May 2008}} |
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[[Image:Chile GDP.jpg|thumb|left|320px|[[Chile]] (blue) and average [[South America]] (orange) [[GDP]] per Capita (1945-2003).]] |
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After a decade of highly impressive growth rates, Chile experienced a moderate [[recession]] in 1999 brought on by the global economic slowdown and exacerbated by a severe [[drought]] reducing crop yields and causing [[hydroelectricity|hydroelectric]] shortfalls and rationing. Chile experienced negative economic growth for the first time in more than 16 years. Despite the effects of the recession, Chile maintained its reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. After averaging real GDP growth rates of around 7% in the 1990s, the economy grew 3.4% in 1998 and contracted 1.1% in 1999. By the end of 1999, exports and economic activity had begun to recover. The economy has recovered in 2000, with Asian markets rebounding and [[copper]] prices edging up. GDP growth for 2001 is expected in the 5%-6% range. The inauguration of [[Ricardo Lagos]] in March 2000, succeeding [[Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle|Eduardo Frei]], kept the presidency in the hands of the center-left Concertacion coalition that has held office since the return of civilian rule in 1990. |
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The government's limited role in the economy, Chile's openness to international trade and investment, and the high domestic savings and investment rates that propelled Chile's economy to average growth rates of 8% during the decade before the recession are still in place. The 1973-90 military government sold many state-owned companies, and the three democratic governments since 1990 have continued privatization at a slower pace. Policy measures such as the [[privatization]] of [[Chile pension system|the national pension system]] encourage domestic investment, contributing to an estimated total domestic savings rate of approximately 23% of GDP in 2001.{{Verify source|date=March 2008}} |
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Unemployment peaked well above Chile's traditional 4%-6% range during the recession and is stubbornly remaining in the 8%-10% range well into the economic recovery. Despite recent labour troubles, wages have on average risen faster than inflation over the last several years as a result of higher productivity, boosting national living standards. The share of Chileans with incomes below the [[poverty line]] — roughly $90/month for a family of four — fell from 46% of the population in 1987 to 14% in 2006. Critics, however, argue that this poverty line is unrealistically low, and point to previous studies by the National Census Institute which consider as much as 29% of population to be affected by poverty.<ref>[http://espanol.upi.com/Titulares/2007/10/21/udi_acusa_al_gobierno_de_falsear_cifras_de_pobreza_en_chile/5047/ UDI acusa al Gobierno de falsear cifras de pobreza en Chile]</ref> |
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Maintaining a moderate [[inflation]] level is a foremost Central Bank objective. In 1996, December-to-December inflation stood at 8.2%, falling to 6.1% in 1997 and to 4.7% in 1998. The rate fell to only 2.3% during the 1999 recession. Most wage settlements and spending decisions are indexed, reducing inflation volatility (See [[Unidad de Fomento]]). The rate for 2000 was 4.75%. The establishment of a compulsory [[Chile pension system|private sector pension system]] in 1981 was an important step toward increasing domestic savings and the pool of investment capital.<ref>[http://dido.econ.yale.edu/conferences/sum-08/struc/krasnokutskaya.pdf Choice of Product under Government Regulation: The Case of Chile Pension System]</ref> Under this system, most regular workers pay 10% of their salaries into privately managed funds. This large capital pool has been supplemented by substantial foreign investment.{{Verify source|date=March 2008}} |
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[[Image:Chile GDP growth.png|thumb|320px|Chile GDP growth since 1961.]] |
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Total public and private investment in the Chilean economy has remained high despite current economic difficulties. The government recognizes the necessity of private investment to boost worker productivity. The government also is encouraging diversification, including such non-traditional exports as fruit, wine, and fish to reduce the relative importance of basic traditional exports such as copper, timber, and other natural resources. |
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Chile's welcoming attitude toward [[foreign direct investment]] is codified in the country's Foreign Investment Law, which gives foreign investors the same treatment as Chileans. Registration is simple and transparent, and foreign investors are guaranteed access to the official foreign exchange market to repatriate their profits and capital. The Central Bank decided in May 1999 on the removal of the 1-year residency requirement on foreign capital entering Chile under Central Bank regulations, generally for portfolio investments. A modest capital control mechanism known as the "Encaje," which requires international investors to place a percentage of portfolio investment in non-interest-bearing accounts for up to 2 years, has been effectively suspended through reduction to zero of the applicable percentage; the mechanism could be resurrected depending on economic circumstances. |
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Total foreign direct investment flows in 2000 contracted to $3.6 [[1000000000 (number)|billion]] (3.6 G$), down from $9.2 billion in 1999, and $4.6 billion in 1998. The 2000 figure is about 13% of GDP. In 2000, Chile experienced an outflow of $1.5 billion, largely the result of diminished inward foreign investment and--for a second year running--elevated levels of Chilean direct investment abroad ($4.8 billion). |
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==Foreign Trade== |
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Chile's economy is highly dependent on international trade. In 2006, exports increased to $59.0 billion from $40.5 billion in 2005, and imports increased to $36.7 billion from $30.2 billion the previous year. Exports accounted for about 42% of GDP. Chile has traditionally been dependent upon copper exports; the state-owned firm [[CODELCO]] is the world's largest copper-producing company. Foreign private investment has developed many new mines, and the private sector now produces more copper than [[CODELCO]]. Copper output continued to increase in 2000. Non-traditional exports have grown faster than those of copper and other minerals. In 1975, non-mineral exports made up just over 30% of total exports, whereas now they account for about 60%. The most important non-mineral exports are forestry and wood products, fresh fruit and processed food, fishmeal and [[seafood]], and other manufactured products. |
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Chile's export markets are fairly balanced among [[Europe]], [[Asia]], [[South America]], and [[North America]]. The [[United States|U.S.]], the largest-single market, takes in 17% of Chile's exports. Latin America has been the fastest-growing export market in recent years. The government actively seeks to promote Chile's exports globally, and since 2004 has had the [[US-Chile Free Trade Agreement]] in place. Since 1991, Chile has signed several bilateral free trade agreements, including [[Canada]], [[Mexico]], [[South Korea]], [[United States|USA]], the [[People's Republic of China]], the [[Central American Common Market|CACM]] nations ([[Costa Rica]], [[El Salvador]], [[Honduras]], [[Guatemala]], [[Nicaragua]]), the [[EFTA]] and the [[European Union]] and has recently entered into the [[Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership]] which is a multilateral free trade agreement with [[New Zealand]], [[Singapore]] and [[Brunei]]. Chile has also recently signed a free trade agreement with [[Japan]]. This means that Chile has free-trade access to over half of the world's [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]. Chile intends to negotiate further agreements with countries such as [[India]]. Also, Chile is member (in different degrees) of many international economical instances, like [[APEC]], [[World Trade Organization|WTO]], [[Mercosur]]. Such diversity of relations prevents the Chilean economy from being exclusively dependent of any major partner and thus provides stability. |
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After growing for several years, imports were down in 1998 and 1999, reflecting reduced consumer demand and deferred investment. Imports have rebounded in 2000 and are up 19% over 1999; capital goods make up about 22% of total imports. The United States is Chile's largest-single supplier, supplying 18.5% of the country's imports in 2000, down from 21% in 1999. Chile unilaterally is lowering its across-the-board import tariff--for all countries with which it does not have a trade agreement--by a percentage point each year until it reaches 6% in 2003. Higher effective tariffs are charged only on imports of wheat, wheat flour, vegetable oils, and sugar as a result of a system of import price bands. |
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==Finance== |
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Chile's financial sector has grown faster than other areas of the economy over the last few years; a banking law reform approved in 1997 broadened the scope of permissible foreign activity for Chilean banks. Domestically, Chileans have enjoyed the recent introduction of new financial tools such as home equity loans, currency futures and options, factoring, leasing, and debit cards. |
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The introduction of these new products has been accompanied by increased use of traditional instruments such as loans and credit cards. [[Chile pension system|Chile's private pension system]], with assets worth roughly $36 billion at the end of September 2000, has provided an important source of investment capital for the stock market.{{Verify source|date=March 2008}} Chile has maintained one of the best credit ratings in Latin America despite the 1999 economic slump.<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000086&sid=aJpAMCwBazSQ&refer=latin_america Bloomberg.com: Latin America<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://periodistainternet.wordpress.com/2006/02/01/harvard-university-professor-will-be-chiles-finance-minister/ Harvard University professor will be Chile’s finance minister « The Chilean Observador<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In recent years, many Chilean companies have sought to raise capital abroad due to the relatively lower interest rates outside of Chile. There are three main ways Chilean firms raise funds abroad: bank loans, issuance of bonds, and the selling of stock on U.S. markets through [[American Depository Receipt]]s (ADRs). Nearly all of the funds raised go to finance investment. The government is rapidly paying down its foreign debt. The combined public and private foreign debt was roughly 50% of GDP at the end of 2000, low by Latin American standards. |
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==Income distribution== |
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The percent of total income earned by the richest 20% of the Chilean population is 61.0% of [[GDP]], while the percent of total income earned by the poorest 20% of the Chilean population is 3.3% of [[GDP]]. <ref name=ECO>[http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/eco_cou_152.pdf EarthTrends 2003]</ref> |
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Chile's [[Gini Coefficient]] in 2003 (53.8) has slightly changed in comparison with the value in 1995 (56.4). In 2005 the 10% poorest among the Chileans received 1.2% of [[GNP]] (2000 = 1.4%), while the 10% richest received 47% of [[GNP]] (2000 = 46%) <ref name=EC>[http://ec.europa.eu/external_relations/chile/csp/07_13_en.pdf ''Chile: Country Strategy Paper 2007-2013.'' European Commission, 11/04/2007, §3.4, (E/2007/615)]</ref>. |
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==GDP by sector== |
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Gross domestic product by sector of the economy for the year 2007. |
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right" |
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!Sector!!% |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Agriculture]] and [[forestry]]||'''4.0 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Fishing]]||'''1.1 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Mining]]<br> |
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:[[Copper]]<br> |
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:Rest |
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|'''7.7'''<br>6.3<br>1.4 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Manufacturing|Manufacturing industry]]<br> |
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:[[Food]], [[Drink|beverage]] and [[tobacco]]<br> |
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:[[Textile]], [[clothing]] and [[leather]]<br> |
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:[[Wood]] and [[furniture]]<br> |
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:[[Paper]] and [[printing]]<br> |
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:[[Chemical]], [[oil]], [[rubber]] and [[plastic]]<br> |
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:Non-metallic mineral products and basic metals<br> |
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:Metallic products, [[machinery]], [[equipment]] and rest |
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|'''17.1'''<br>5.1<br>0.8<br>1.1<br>2.1<br>4.6<br>1.4<br>2.0 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Electricity]], [[gas]] and [[water]]||'''2.5 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Construction]]||'''7.6 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Retail]], [[restaurants]] and [[hotels]]||'''11.1 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Transportation]]||'''7.5 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Communications]]||'''2.8 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Financial services]]||'''17.2 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Real estate]]||'''5.7 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | Personal services (health, education, etc.)||'''11.5 |
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|- |
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| align="left" | [[Public administration]]||'''4.2 |
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|} |
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<small>Note: Does not include [[Value added tax|VAT taxes]] and [[import duties]] (ID). Includes ''imputaciones bancarias'' (IB). Total GDP = GDP - IB + VAT + ID. Source: [http://si2.bcentral.cl/Basededatoseconomicos/951_417.asp?m=CN_B03_24&f=A&i=E Central Bank of Chile].</small> |
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==See also== |
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* [[Chile]] |
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* [[Miracle of Chile]] |
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* [[Economy of South America]] |
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* [[Economic history of Chile]] |
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* [[Agriculture in Chile]] |
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* [[Fishing in Chile]] |
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* [[Tourism in Chile]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==Bibliography== |
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* COLLIER, Simon and Sater, William F. ''A History of Chile, 1808-2002'', New York and London, Cambridge University Press, 2004. |
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* CONSTABLE, Pamela and Valenzuela, Arturo. ''A Nation of Enemies: Chile Under Pinochet.'' New York, W. W. Norton & Company, 1993. |
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* PALEY, Julia. ''Marketing Democracy: Power and Social Movements in Post-Dictatorship Chile''. University of California Press, 2001 |
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* [http://www.counterpunch.org/schaefer10202003.html SCHAEFER, Standard. ''Chile's Failed Economic Laboratory: an Interview with Michael Hudson.'' CounterPunch, October 20, 2003] |
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* [http://www1.tau.ac.il/eial/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=77&Itemid=114 WINN, Peter (editor).''Victims of the Chilean Miracle: Workers and Neoliberalism in the Pinochet Era, 1973-2002''. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2004.] |
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==External links== |
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* [http://www.chileangovernment.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=41 Invest in Chile] |
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{{South America in topic|Economy of}} |
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[[Category:Economy of Chile| ]] |
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[[Category:WTO member economies|Chile]] |
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[[bn:চিলির অর্থনীতি]] |
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[[bg:Стопанство на Чили]] |
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[[ca:Economia de Xile]] |
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[[de:Wirtschaft Chiles]] |
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[[es:Economía de Chile]] |
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[[fa:اقتصاد شیلی]] |
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[[fr:Économie du Chili]] |
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[[gl:Economía de Chile]] |
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[[io:Ekonomio di Chili]] |
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[[oc:Economia de Chile]] |
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[[pt:Economia do Chile]] |
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[[ro:Economia Chile]] |
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[[ru:Экономика Чили]] |
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