Chilean consumers prioritize health and wellness amid economic pressure

In Chile, consumer spending on health and wellness is increasing despite significant economic pressure on households. A study by Worldpanel by Numerator indicates that purchases associated with healthy behaviors grew by six percentage points over the last year. This trend persists even as the number of “Struggling” households—those using all income for monthly expenses—is projected to rise from 20% in 2025 to 28% in 2026.

“What we are seeing in Chile is that health has stopped being a dispensable expense and has transformed into a priority within the family budget,” stated Victoria Montecino of Worldpanel by Numerator. This shift places Chile among the Latin American markets with the highest presence of this trend, following only Peru and Brazil.

Parallel to human health trends, pet wellness is becoming a major focus for Chilean families. With 86% of households owning pets, the Colegio Médico Veterinario reports that approximately 33% of dogs in the country are overweight. Experts note that canine obesity is often driven by a combination of sedentary lifestyles and improper caloric intake, which can lead to serious conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.