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 Latinos & Blond Young & Catholic Rich & Poor The Center & the Regions Patriotic & Hospitable
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Rich & Poor
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While its
per capita GDP of USD 5,500 places Chile among
the top countries in Latin America, almost nowhere on
the Continent is the gap between rich and poor as wide
as here. . According to official statements,
one out of five Chileans (3.17 million) lives
in poverty, with as much as 5.7% of the population considered
'extremely poor' - and this with a poverty limit of a
meagre USD 65.00 in urban, and USD 45.00 in rural areas.
While corporate managers draw top salaries by international
comparison, unskilled workers have to make do with the
legal minimum wage of about USD 160.00/month. Professions
important to society such as teachers and salaried employees,
judges and policemen are chronically underpaid.
This social divide is reinforced by an
educational system , where excellence can only
be bought with money. While state-run schools are cheap
or free, they cannot compare with the expensive schools
of the middle and upper classes. Post-secondary education
also comes at a stiff price to families with kids.
Life is the most difficult for those who cannot find permanent employment, or who work in the large shadow economy without a social "net". They often live in make-shift slum dwellings or in deficient public housing on the periphery of the cities, where they do not offend the eyes of the people living in the better neighborhoods. Despite these social inequities the United Nations Human Development Index which evaluates, among other factors, life expectancy, education and income, ranks Chile among the 'highly developed' countries. In 2003, Chile ranked 43th, or third among South American countries behind Argentina (34) and Uruguay (40).
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ContactChile
Gestiones Interculturales |
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Huelén 219 piso 2
Providencia
Santiago de Chile
Ph./Fax: (56-2) 264 17 19
E-Mail: info@contactchile.cl
How to find our office
Business hours:
Mon - Fri 9 am to 5.30 pm
Sat 10 am to 1.30 pm
(Sat Housing only)
Local Time:
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Current Exchange Rates
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1 EUR = 615 CLP
1 USD = 485 CLP
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The Chileans
