MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chile with some of the worst social indicators among the 34 OECD members

Income inequality is the highest in Chile with 38% of locals finding it very difficult to live on current earnings

Chile has some of the worst social indicators of the 34 countries that make up the Paris based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, according to the latest releases from the group.

At 56.1% of adults employed, Chile has the third lowest employment rate in the OECD after Turkey and Hungary, and much lower than the group’s average of 66.1%.

While life expectancy in Chile (78.8 years) is very close to OECD averages (79.3 years), infant mortality in Chile (7 per 1000 live births) is the third highest in the OECD after Turkey and Mexico. However, Chilean gains in reducing infant mortality in the last generation (by 28 deaths per 1000 live births) have also been the third highest in the OECD.

Income inequality in Chile is the highest in the OECD (with a Gini coefficient of 0.50), much higher than the OECD average of 0.31. At 18.9%, Chile also has the third highest relative poverty rate in the OECD after Mexico and Israel and well above the OECD average of 11.1%.

This in practical terms means that 38% of Chileans find it difficult or very difficult to live on their current income, well above the OECD average on 24%.

Chileans report the fifth highest positive experiences - feeling well-rested, being treated with respect, smiling, doing something interesting and experiencing enjoyment – in the OECD. At the same time Chileans have above OECD average negative experiences – pain, worry, sadness, stress and depression.

With 88% of the population voting, Chileans have the fourth highest voting rate in the OECD, well above the OECD average of 70%.

Finally only 13% of Chileans express high trust in their fellow citizens, much less than the OECD average of 59%. Low trust is very strongly associated with high income inequality, which is also very strong in Chile.