Updated
Overview
The United States has 17 times the population of Chile: 341.78 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 86 times the size of Chile's, at $30.77T versus $357.37B.
Per person, the United States is the wealthier of the two: $90,027 against $17,995 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $357.37B | 2025 | $29.18T / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $90,027 | $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.2% | Higher: 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 4.2% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,273 | $1,024 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,257 | $530 | 2026 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.9 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 million | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (2.2% for the United States, 2.5% for Chile).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.9% in the United States and 4.2% in Chile.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Chile: a price level of 48 versus 100 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United States: $6,273 against $1,024 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 38.5 (the United States) and 36.9 (Chile).
Life expectancy is 2.5 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 78.9).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 13 times the size of Chile: 9,833,517 km² versus 756,102 km².
Military
The United States spends 195 times as much on defence as Chile: $997.31B versus $5.11B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.6%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than Chile?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so the United States is 13 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or Chile?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United States is richer: $90,027 against $17,995. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.77T for the United States versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or Chile?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).