Chilean Peso flag

Chilean Peso

Peso chileno

Currency Code

CLP

ISO 152

Symbol

CLP

Native: $

Decimal Digits

0

Rounding: 0

Countries

CL

Using this currency

Currency Units

Major Unit

Name: peso

Symbol: $

Minor Unit

Name: centavo

Symbol:

Value: 0

Banknotes

Frequently Used

$1000$2000$5000$10000$20000

Coins

Frequently Used

$1$5$10$50$100$500

Plural Forms

English Plural

Chilean pesos

Native Plural

Pesos chilenos

Overview

The Chilean Peso is the currency of Chile, managed by the Central Bank of Chile. It has been free-floating since 1999 and is considered one of Latin America's more stable currencies.

Economy

  • Chile is a member of Pacific Alliance, OECD, APEC, Mercosur (associate), UNASUR.
  • Main industries include: Copper, Lithium, Other minerals, Foodstuffs, Fish processing, Iron and steel, Wood and wood products, Transport equipment, Cement, Textiles.
  • Chile is part of the World Trade Organization.
  • Imports are petroleum, chemicals, electrical machinery, industrial machinery, vehicles, natural gas.
  • Major exports include copper, fruit, fish products, paper and pulp, chemicals, wine.
  • GDP: $348.6 billion (2023 est.).
  • GDP per capita: $17,830 (2023 est.).
  • Unemployment rate: 8.9% (2023 est.).
  • Inflation rate: 7.6% (2023 est.).
  • Main trading partners: China, United States, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina.
  • Trade agreements: Pacific Alliance, Chile-US FTA, Chile-EU Association Agreement, CPTPP, Various bilateral FTAs.

History

  • Previous currencies used: Chilean escudo, Historical peso variants.
  • The current peso was introduced in 1975, replacing the escudo at 1000:1. Chile has had various currency reforms throughout its history, often related to inflation control.
  • 1975: Current peso introduced, replacing escudo (1000:1)
  • 1982: Peso devaluation during debt crisis
  • 1999: Adoption of free-floating exchange rate
  • 2001: Inflation targeting regime adopted
  • 2008: Global financial crisis impact
  • 2019: Social unrest and economic uncertainty
  • Exchange rate peg: USD (1979-1982) crawling peg.
  • Exchange rate peg: Free floating (1999-present).

General Information

  • ISO 4217 Code: CLP
  • Symbols: CLP/$
  • Currency Subunits: 100 centavos
  • Central Bank: Central Bank of Chile
  • Monetary Policy: Inflation targeting with 3% target. Free-floating exchange rate with focus on domestic price stability.
  • Bills: 1000 CLP, 2000 CLP, 5000 CLP, 10000 CLP, 20000 CLP
  • Coins: 1 peso, 5 pesos, 10 pesos, 50 pesos, 100 pesos, 500 pesos
  • USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 900-950 CLP per USD)
  • Pegged To: None (Floating)
  • Capital: Santiago
  • Population: 19,629,590 (2023 est.)
  • Area: 756,096 km²
  • Languages: Spanish (official), Mapudungun, German, English
  • Time Zones: UTC-4 (Continental), UTC-6 (Easter Island)
  • Government Type: Presidential republic
  • Head of Government: President (head of state and government)
  • Independence: September 18, 1810 (from Spain)
  • Ethnic Groups: White and non-indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, Other indigenous 1%, Other 0.3%
  • Religions: Roman Catholic 60%, Evangelical 18%, Other Christian 4%, Other 4%, None 13%, Unspecified 1%
  • Literacy Rate: 96.4% (2017 est.)
  • Transport: Good road network, modern airports (Santiago, Valparaíso), extensive coastline ports, limited rail
  • Communications: Advanced telecommunications, 90% internet penetration, comprehensive mobile coverage
  • Energy: Coal 28%, Hydroelectric 26%, Natural gas 16%, Solar 7%, Wind 7%, Other renewables 16%
  • Countries Using This Currency: Chile
  • Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Chile (bcentral.cl), Economic Data: National Institute of Statistics Chile, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: National Customs Service, Demographic Data: National Institute of Statistics Chile, Geographic Data: Chilean Meteorological Directorate, Historical Data: Central Bank of Chile archives
  • Last Updated: 2025