WORLD PRESS TRENDS - World Association of Newspapers

CHILE
Commentary – Asociación Nacional de la Prensa
The slowdown of the international economy in 2001 had a direct
impact on the Chilean economy, reducing its growth rate during
2002. The economy grew, but not by enough to return to the
level it had reached before 1998. The 2.0% increase in GDP was
the lowest for three years.
Inflation was only 2.8 % in 2002, since the very low exchange
rate pushed down the cost of imported commodities like fuel,
and domestic demand was weak. Unemployment fell slightly
to 8.9%, as a consequence of a moderate increase in employment
in the third and fourth quarters of the year.
Chile signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU in 2002,
and will sign one with the US at the beginning of 2004. This
will increase trade.
The advertising investment in publicity during 2002 increased
4% compared to 2001.
The Press Law was approved in June 2001, Parliament is still
discussing some problems related to the legal protection of
privacy and reputation.
The main publishing companies are preparing a new audit
system that will independently verify circulation, and are
framing a unique Readership Index for magazines.
POPULATION
Population
All individuals Male Female
000 % 000 % 000 %
0-14 3,891 26 1,983 27 1,908 25
15-24 2,483 16 1,258 17 1,225 16
25-34 2,394 16 1,189 16 1,205 16
35-44 2,366 16 1,158 16 1,208 16
45-54 1,663 11 811 11 852 11
55-64 1,103 7 527 7 576 8
65+ 1,217 8 522 7 695 9
Total 15,117 100 7,448 100 7,669 100
Source: INE (National Statistical Institute) 2002
Newspaper reach (%)
Adults 15+
Oct-Dec99
Men 77.9
Women 68.0
Source: Search (Santiago only, Oct-Dec99)
Housewives
%
Under 26 5.6
26-30 8.1
31-45 34.7
46+ 51.6
Total 100
Source: AC Nielsen (Santiago only, 2001)
Households
% of households
1-3 people 37.7
4-5 people 42.8
6+ people 19.5
without children 36.0
with children 64.0
oldest child aged 0-5 15.4
oldest child aged 6-11 27.5
oldest child aged 12-18 21.1
Total 100
Source: AC Nielsen (Santiago only, 2001)
Age structure of readership (1999)
% reach within
Age
age group
15-19 66.8
20-24 73.5
25-34 72.9
35-44 75.7
45+ 72.3
Source: Search (Santiago only, Oct-Dec99)
Population by social class
Adults
%
AB 4
C1 6
C2/C3 45
D 35
E 10
Total 100
Source: Search (Santiago only, 2001)
NUMBER OF TITLES AND CIRCULATION
Change (%)
1999 2000 2001 2002 99/2002 2000/02
Number of titles
Total dailies 51 53 51 47 -7.84 -7.84
National dailies 9 9 9 10 11.11 11.11
Regional & local dailies 42 44 42 37 -11.90 -11.90
Non-dailies 6 9 12 12 100.00 0.00
National non-dailies 3 7 10 9 200.00 -10.00
Regional & local non-dailies* 3 2 2 3 0.00 50.00
Sundays 1 1 1 1 0.00 0.00
Free papers 2 2 4 2 0.00 -50.00
Total annual sales (millions of copies)
Dailies 335 348 354 - - -
Free papers - 48 62 72 - 15.38
* only those affiliated to the Chilean Newspaper Association
Titles
54
52
50
48
46
44
Number of daily titles
1999 2000 2001 2002
WORLD ASSOCIATION OF NEWSPAPERS - WORLD PRESS TRENDS 2003 77