Chile foreign student enrollment rises 255% since 2017

The number of foreign students enrolled in the Chilean school system increased by approximately 255% between 2017 and 2024, according to a study by the Undersecretary of Education. In 2024, there were an estimated 275,900 foreign students, representing about 8% of total school enrollment. Projections for 2025 suggest this number could exceed 295,000.

Enrollment is not uniform across the country; significant concentrations are found in the Metropolitan Region, Tarapacá, and Antofagasta, though rural schools are also seeing new students. The student population is diverse, with varying levels of Spanish proficiency and different histories of educational continuity.

International organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and the OECD have emphasized the need for public policies that support integration. Key recommendations include providing cultural mediation, language instruction, and specialized resources to ensure student permanence and prevent discrimination within educational communities.