Demographic trends show shifting birth and mortality rates in Chile and Argentina

Demographic and health trends show varying patterns across Latin America. In Chile, June 2026 data from the National Statistics Institute (INE) indicates a 1.7% increase in births, a 21.2% rise in marriages, and a 55.2% surge in Civil Union Agreements. Conversely, deaths in Chile fell by 3.5% during the same period.

In Argentina, birth rates have seen a significant decline. Reports indicate that annual births dropped by approximately 46% between 2015 and 2024. The fertility rate is estimated at 1.2 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1. Additionally, health reports highlight a concerning rise in drug exposure among newborns in certain hospitals and reports of substance use among children as young as 8 or 9 in vulnerable neighborhoods.

In the Dominican Republic, the National Health Service (SNS) reported that maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality rates in the public hospital network remain under control and are trending downward due to the implementation of standardized medical protocols and improved diagnostic capabilities.