The latest survey conducted by the Centro de Estudios Públicos (CEP) and the ISSP (International Social Survey Programme) delved into Chileans’ perceptions of the country’s economy and their personal situations. The findings reveal a significant decline in how the population views these aspects. Between May 9 and June 18, 2025, 25% of respondents rated their personal situation as “Good + Very Good,” marking an 8-percentage point decrease from the previous measurement in March-April when it had reached its highest level on record at 33%. In contrast, those who rated their situation as “Bad + Very Bad” increased from 17% to 23%. This narrowed the gap between the two categories to just 2 percentage points, compared to a 16-point difference in March-April. The percentage of people who considered their economic situation as “Neither Good nor Bad” returned to 52% after dropping to 49% in the previous survey.
Regarding perceptions of the “current economic situation of the country,” 11% rated it as “Good + Very Good” while 53% deemed it “Bad + Very Bad,” representing a 4-point increase from the previous period when it stood at 49%. Lastly, 35% evaluated Chile’s situation as “Neither Good nor Bad,” marking its first decrease after two consecutive measurements at 40%. When looking at future economic prospects, the outlook is more positive than in the previous survey. In this edition, 20% of respondents believe the country’s situation will improve in the next 12 months, compared to 16% in the previous survey. Meanwhile, 24% think the scenario will worsen, a 3-point decrease from the last survey, with 54% believing there will be no changes in the country’s situation over the next year.
In terms of personal expectations, nuances emerge. 34% of those surveyed believe their economic situation will be “Much Better + Better,” while 56% expect it to remain the same. Compared to the previous measurement, the former indicator decreased by 4 points while the latter increased by the same proportion. Those who anticipate their situation to be “Much Worse + Worse” remain at 9%, the same level as in the two previous surveys. The CEP survey draws a comparison between individuals’ financial situations in May-June 2025 and the results from April 2015. In this regard, 28% reported having a “Good” situation, up from 21% a decade ago. Conversely, those reporting a “Poor” situation decreased from 17% to 13%. The option “Neither good nor bad” also saw a 6-point decrease, dropping from 58% to 52%. Two indicators that increased were those reporting a “Very good” situation (from 2% to 3%) and “Very bad” situation (from 2% to 4%). Additionally, the results indicate that individuals now value having a paying job more than they did a decade ago.
In this edition, 53% strongly agreed or agreed with the statement “I would like to have a paying job, even if I didn’t need the money,” compared to 44% in 2015. On the topic of work-life balance, there are significant disparities between men and women. 23% of women said their work interferes “Always + Often” with their family life, 35% mentioned “Sometimes,” and 42% stated “Almost never + Never.” For men, 14% indicated their work interferes “Always + Often,” 29% said “Sometimes,” and the largest gap from women was seen with 57% believing it occurs “Almost never + Never.”
The survey results paint a complex picture of how Chileans perceive their economic and personal situations, reflecting both current sentiments and shifts over the past decade. The data not only provide insight into individual perspectives but also offer a glimpse into societal values and dynamics. As these perceptions shape behaviors and decisions, understanding these nuances is crucial for policymakers, businesses, and individuals alike. The evolving landscape of economic perceptions underscores the need for proactive measures to address concerns and foster confidence and stability in both personal and national financial outlooks.
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