Emigrating from Chile: unemployment rates force many to leave

Recent statistics released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) Unemployment rates in Chile have risen again, reaching 8,7%. Data released for the months of February through April show an increase of more than one percentage point over the last 12 months. This set of figures is causing concern among a large part of society and is leading many to consider emigrating from Chile, particularly women, as the unemployment rate for women is 9,5%, compared to 8,0% for men.

This new increase marks a series of assessments in recent years, in which an increase was observed in the last six quarters, following the lows of February-April 2021. This data is particularly worrying in the Metropolitan Region, where unemployment reached 9,7%, marking a year-on-year increase of 1,1 percentage points.

Causes and effects

Some economists point out that this increase in unemployment is directly related to the sharp rise in the labor force of 2,3%, more than 1,3 percentage points above the number of employed people. Specifically, this means that the number of unemployed in Chile now totals 853.902, while the labor force stands at 9,6 million.

Furthermore, this figure comes at a time when the Chamber of Deputies approved an increase in the minimum wage, raising it to 500.000 pesos. This legally mandated increase, which applies to all workers between 18 and 65 years old, also includes support packages for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives to help them meet the established wage increases.

According to the most recent figures and the best estimates, the rate of Informal employment reaches 27,4% in ChileThis is a particularly worrying fact, since many economists point out that those who cannot find work in the formal market end up resorting to the precariousness of informal employment.

The phenomenon of emigration

The sharp increase in the number of Chileans leaving the country prompted measures such as the "Chile Calls You" plan, which aimed to repatriate many citizens. While the plan initially seemed promising, progress was limited, and the actual number of people leaving continued to rise, further fueling the exodus from Chile.

One of the clearest explanations is the lack of opportunities in the country, particularly in the Metropolitan Region, where almost half of the national population lives. These signs of discouragement are one of the main reasons why more and more people are turning to services that offer visa processing for countries like Portugal, Greece, and Spain, some of Europe's gems where economic conditions are more stable.

This phenomenon is not being restricted in terms of purchasing power, since in addition to the possibility of obtaining what is known as a "Golden Visa" in countries such as Spain, Greece and Portugal, other mechanisms are also being implemented in these destination countries, which favor those people who are suddenly thinking of going to work in a country that shows more stability than their own.

The Iberian Peninsula as an option to emigrate from Chile

The case of Spain is particularly noteworthy, where, since the enactment of the "Grandchildren Law," formally known as the "Democratic Memory Law," thousands of people in Latin America have applied for Spanish citizenship. This measure, which aims to redress the crimes of the Franco regime in Spain, is geared towards those who can prove that their Spanish ancestors emigrated from the country during the years of Francisco Franco's dictatorship.

Since its launch in July 2022, hundreds of thousands of people across our continent have seen it as an attractive option to leave behind a perhaps less favorable reality in order to live in a country with a stable economy. Over time, other ways to obtain it have also become available, given the program's success.

The requirements, which are not very demanding, include being born outside of Spain, except for those born on or after January 1, 1988. In addition, the visa is also open to “grandchildren of Spanish women who were born in Spain and married non-Spanish citizens before the 1978 Constitution came into effect; and who renounced their Spanish citizenship for that reason.” Finally, the visa is also open to “children of those who obtained Spanish nationality by origin (through the Historical Memory Law, regulated by Law 52/2017), who could not become Spanish citizens when the law came into effect because they were over 18 at the time.”

On the other hand, interested parties must have a way to prove their Spanish ancestry, in addition to other requirements that are quite simple to meet, especially if we Contact us to schedule an interviewBecause in addition to visa processing, we can help you find your ancestors.

Besides being a restorative measure, the Spanish government believes this measure will also attract a large workforce to Spain. This is a somewhat unique moment in Latin American history, where the migration of our ancestors from Europe to this continent seems to be reversing, allowing many descendants of Europeans (like many people in Chile) to return to the "Old Continent."

Other options for emigrating from Chile

Beautiful Portugal, also on the Iberian Peninsula, is a top destination for many people from around the world, especially Latin Americans. Migrants to Portugal are primarily Brazilian, although recently there has also been a significant increase in the number of Spanish speakers residing there.

Especially knowing that there are not only great benefits in economic and social terms, but also because services like the Portuguese Golden Visa are so successful that the possibility of obtaining it is beginning to close, and only those who complete the process in the coming months will be considered for entry.

Furthermore, Portugal is also trying to attract young entrepreneurs who are eager to work remotely in a country that welcomes them as fellow citizens. This is particularly relevant given the existence of a program known as the "Digital Nomad Visa," which allows individuals earning over €3040 and who can demonstrate at least three months of experience in that job to work remotely.

The world of immigration is growing by leaps and bounds, and beyond the love one may have for their homeland, considering the future is a key factor many are weighing when considering their options. Perhaps destiny is calling them from a warmer place, where everything is easier and stability is the norm.