Updated
Overview
Peru has about 75% more people than Chile: 34.58 million against 19.86 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $334.85B for Peru and $357.37B for Chile.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $9,684 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Peru | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $334.85B | Higher: $357.37B | 2025 | $289.22B / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $9,684 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.4% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 4.2% | 2025 | 2.0% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 5.1% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 51 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $563 | Higher: $1,024 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $273 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.99 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 34.58 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 32.77 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.2 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 82% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,285,216 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 26.9/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 70 Mt | 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.1 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $2.57B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 158,000 | 114,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Peru is growing faster: 3.4% annual GDP growth versus 2.5%.
Chile runs the hotter price environment: 4.2% inflation versus 1.5%.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $563 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Peru is the younger society: median age 30.2 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 3.4 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Chile (96% vs 82% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Peru is 70% larger than Chile: 1,285,216 km² versus 756,102 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Chile spends 2.0 times as much on defence as Peru: $5.11B versus $2.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Peru fields the larger armed forces: 158,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Peru bigger than Chile?
- Peru is larger by land area. Peru covers 1,285,216 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Peru is 70% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Peru or Chile?
- Peru has the larger population: 34.58 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Peru richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $9,684. Total GDP tells the same story: $334.85B for Peru versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Peru or Chile?
- Chile spends more: $5.11B versus $2.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).