CHILE

Political and Social Background

A unitary republic is contemplated, including a strong executive elected for a four-year period according to Constitution. It includes a legislature with both Senate and a Chamber of Deputies and an independent judiciary power. Individual guarantees are well defined and protected. The whole purpose of the current political structure is to establish a well-balanced democracy to continue the Chilean republican tradition.

The Chilean legal system follows the Spanish and French patterns. The Civil Code was enacted in 1855 and has served as a model for other countries in Central and South America. Many other codes and laws are in force and a court decision is only valid for the specific case for which it is delivered. This legal structure is supported by and independent and well-established judiciary that includes a Supreme Court , Courts of Appeals and Judges of First Instance. Civil, criminal and labor judges exist. In addition, recourse to an arbitrator is provided for in order to settle civil and commercial disputes.

Population

Chile. Population based on census 2009 16,601,707 (December 2009 est.)

Age structure

Age pyramid of Chilean population (2008).

0-14 years: 24.1% (male 2,010,576/female 1,920,951)
15-64 years: 67.4% (male 5,480,703/female 5,492,988)
65 years and over: 8.5% (male 576,698/female 802,825) (2007 est.)

Median age

total: 30.7 years
male: 29.8 years
female: 31.7 years (2007 est.)
female: 18.5 years (2009 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.36 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.09 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 76.96 years
male: 73.69 years
female: 80.34 years (2007 est.)