At a glance: Chile and Peru in profile as River Island enters South America

Chile

Population 17.5 million

Santiago’s population 6.5 million

Gross domestic product (GDP) $409.3bn (£261.8bn)

GDP per capita $23,000 (£14,700)

Unemployment rate: 6.4%

Demographics

0-14 years: 20.46%

15-24 years: 15.88%

25-54 years: 43.21%

55-64 years: 10.24%

65 years and over: 10.22%

International retailers with a presence in Chile Topshop, H&M, Gap, Zara, Mothercare

Economic outlook

Over the last two decades, Chile has made significant strides in reducing its poverty rate, which is now lower than most Latin American countries. Chile is becoming an ageing society and women – who are traditionally caregivers – are increasingly entering the workforce.

Chile has historically been a country of emigration but is becoming more attractive to immigrants since its transition to democracy in 1990. Most of Chile’s small but growing foreign-born population come from other Latin American countries, especially Peru.

Peru

Population 30.4 million

Lima’s population 9.9 million

GDP $371.3bn (£237.3bn)

GDP per capita $11,800 (£7,550)

Unemployment rate 6%

Demographics

0-14 years: 26.95%

15-24 years: 18.93%

25-54 years: 39.65%

55-64 years: 7.45%

65 years and over: 7.03%

International retailers with presence in Peru Mothercare, Zara

Economic outlook

The poverty rate has dropped substantially during the last decade but remains stubbornly high at about 30%. The country was hit in the 1980s by an economic crisis and a violent internal conflict, but recent economic growth has benefitted Peru’s urban and coastal communities.