Chile: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Chile?

Chile's national unemployment rate was 9.6% in the June to August 2026 rolling quarter, 1.0 percentage point higher than a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Institute's employment release of 30 September 2026. The rate was 10.3% for women and 9.1% for men.

Employment fell 0.9% over the year, while the labour force grew 0.3%, and the number of unemployed people rose 13.0%. The figures come from the National Employment Survey (ENE) and are published monthly for overlapping three-month periods, so consecutive releases share two months of data.

Official sources: employment release

How much do workers earn in Chile?

The average ordinary hourly wage in Chile was 7,614 pesos in August 2026, 8.4% more than a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Institute's wage and labour cost indices release. The nominal wage index rose 7.6% over 12 months and the real wage index, adjusted for inflation, rose 3.4%.

Women's average hourly wage was 7,426 pesos and men's 7,786 pesos. The average hourly labour cost to employers was 8,783 pesos. The indices cover employees, so they leave out the self-employed.

Official sources: wage and labour cost indices release

What is the minimum wage in Chile?

Chile's monthly minimum wage (ingreso mínimo mensual) for workers aged 18 to 65 is 553,553 pesos from 1 May 2026, under the adjustment law passed by the Senate on 17 June 2026, according to the Ministry of Labour. For workers under 18 and over 65 it is 412,938 pesos.

The increase of 2.7% matched inflation to April and was paid retroactively from May. The ministry said a further adjustment for May to December inflation is due on 1 January 2027. The amount is for a full-time working week and before pension and health deductions.

Official sources: Ministry of Labour

How many workers in Chile are informal?

26.3% of employed people in Chile were in informal work in June to August 2026, 0.3 percentage points more than a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Institute's employment release. The informality rate was 28.3% for women and 24.8% for men.

Informal workers are those without social security contributions linked to their job, such as unregistered employees and self-employed people without a registered business. The fall in employment over the year was concentrated in formal salaried jobs (-2.9%), manufacturing (-7.6%) and information and communications (-16.8%).

Official sources: employment release

How much is the minimum wage in Chile?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Chile was 500,000 CLP a month (about $530) in 2024. No year since 2012 has been higher.

What is the average wage in Chile?

$1,024 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Chile for 2024, according to the ILO. Since 2012 it has ranged from $782 a month (2015) to $1,249 a month (2019). It is 4th highest of 18 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is $532 a month. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 35th highest.

What is the unemployment rate in Chile?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Chile was 9.0%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 11.3%; its low point was 2013, at 6.4%. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 6.0%, and Chile placed 6th highest of 29. Worldwide: 39th of 174.

How many young people in Chile are unemployed?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 21.6%. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 26.7%; its low point was 2016, at 15.8%. It is 6th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 14.0%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 36th highest.

What share of people in Chile are in the labour force?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 62.3%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 55.7% (2005) to 63.2% (2018). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 63.4%, and Chile placed 17th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 85th highest.

How many women in Chile are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Chile was 52.9%, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 52.5%, and Chile placed 14th highest of 29. Worldwide: 92nd of 174.

How many people in Chile are employed?

56.7%: that is the employment to population ratio in Chile for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 58.4%; its low point was 2020, at 50.2%. It is 19th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 59.4%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 96th highest.

How common is self-employment in Chile?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Chile was 20.9% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 19.2% (2012) to 21.8% (2021). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 29.8%, and Chile placed 25th highest of 29. Worldwide: 115th of 174.

What share of workers in Chile earn a wage or salary?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are paid employees in Chile at 76.1% in 2025. The peak was 77.3% in 2012 and the low 74.8% in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 64.8%; Chile is 4th highest of 29. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 58th highest.