Chile
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Chile experienced a notable decline in its total maternal rate (TMR) in 2020, dropping by 5 percentage points from the previous year, continuing a longer-term downward trend since the 1990s. Contrarily, the lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) rose by 5 percentage points, reflecting a growing share of people remaining childless. These shifts illustrate changing reproductive patterns amid modest growth in average maternal age and fluctuations in family size distributions.
- TMR fell from 69.3% in 2019 to 64.3% in 2020, marking a steady decline over recent decades from over 92% in the 1990s.
- Childlessness among women rose sharply to 35.7% in 2020, a significant increase from 30.7% in 2019, and much higher than 7.6% in the 1990s.
- Average maternal age at birth increased to 27.2 years, up 0.3 years from 2019, continuing a gradual upward trend.
- The proportion of women having a transitional family gap (TGF) also increased notably, reaching 29.6% in 2020, signaling more widespread generational birth delays.
In 2020, Chile had the lowest fertility and maternal age rates globally, reflecting ongoing demographic shifts since the 1990s.
- Total maternal rate lowest worldwide at 64.3%
- Average maternal age youngest globally at 27.2 years
- Generational birthgap very high, with births rapidly declining
- Childlessness rate lowest globally but rising
- Societal Half-Life shortest worldwide, indicating fast demographic turnover
Key fertility indicators — Chile
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 64.3% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 35.7% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 27.2 years |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 57.7 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 35 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Total maternal rate (TMR) in Chile reached 64.3% in 2020, marking a decrease of 5.0 percentage points compared to 2019. The trend over the last five years shows a decline, with the 2016–2020 average standing at 68.6%. When compared to the 1990s average of 92.3%, this represents a drop of approximately 28.0 percentage points. The early 2000s, particularly 2003–2005, saw the lowest average TMR at 78.5%. Among global comparisons, Chile ranks lowest on this metric, positioned 38th out of 38 countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 82.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2019 | 69.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2020 | 64.3% |
| 2000 | 86.4% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The children per mother (CPM) metric in Chile stood at 2.27 in 2020, showing virtually no change from the 2.27 recorded in 2019. Over the latest five years, CPM has remained fairly consistent, averaging 2.35. When comparing to the 1990s average of 2.48, the current figure is about 0.21 lower.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.35 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2019 | 2.27 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2020 | 2.27 |
| 2000 | 2.40 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth reached 27.2 years in 2020, marking an increase of 0.3 years from 2019. Over the last five years, AMA has shown a steady rise, with a five-year average of 26.4 years. This figure is 4.0 years higher than the average during the 1990s. Among the 38 countries compared, Chile ranks lowest in average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 24.22 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2019 | 26.90 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2020 | 27.21 |
| 2000 | 23.34 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2020, Chile's Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 29.6%, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.46. This marks a significant rise from 2019, with an increase of 5.4 percentage points. Over the period from 2016 to 2020, the TFG showed a consistent upward trend, averaging 22.0%. When compared to the 1990s average of zero percent, the current level is higher by roughly 29.6 percentage points. Since 2001, Chile has experienced a continuous generational birthgap. The earliest low point for the TFG occurred in the early 1990s, specifically between 1992 and 1999, with an average at zero percent. On the global scale, Chile ranks last among 38 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 5.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2019 | 24.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2020 | 29.6% |
| 2000 | n/a |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2020, Chile’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 57.7 years. It has decreased by 14.8 years compared with 2019. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 83.2 years. Compared with the 1990s average (347.5 years), SHL is now shorter by about 289.8 years.
Globally, Chile has the shortest Societal Half-Life (ranked 38/38).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Chile, there would be 35 great-grandchildren, representing a -65.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Chile has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 38/38).
Birth trajectory
The birth pattern recorded in 2020 shows a significant decline in total births over time, assuming no migration influences. Starting from 194,987 births in 2020, the number is projected to decrease by half to 97,494 by 2078. The trend continues downward with births expected to drop by 75% in 2135 and then fall sharply by 90% to just 19,499 by 2212.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
By 2020, the lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Chile reached 35.7%, marking an increase of 5.0 percentage points since 2019. Over the five years from 2016 to 2020, the TCR has shown an upward trend, averaging 31.4%. This rate is significantly higher than the 1990s average of 7.6%, with a difference of about 28 percentage points. The period between 1992 and 1994 recorded the lowest rates, averaging just 5.6%. When compared globally, Chile ranks last out of 38 countries for childlessness rate, having the lowest level overall.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 17.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2019 | 30.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2020 | 35.7% |
| 2000 | 13.6% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2020, Chile recorded 194,987 total births, marking a decrease of 15,120 compared to the previous year. Births have been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average yearly total of 215,544. This figure is notably lower than the 1990s average of 273,712 births, reflecting a decline of 78,725 births or 28.8%.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 250.2k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2019 | 210.1k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2020 | 195.0k |
| 2000 | 251.1k |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Chile's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 13.4% in 2020, marking an increase of 4.7 percentage points from the previous year. The indicator has shown an upward trend over the five years from 2016 to 2020, averaging 7.6%. When compared to the 1990s average of -114.0%, the current figure is approximately 127.5 percentage points higher. Notably, Chile holds the lowest BRI value globally, ranking 35th out of 35 countries.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | -10.4% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2019 | 8.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2020 | 13.4% |
| 2000 | -52.7% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.