Comparison

Chile vs Norway

Side-by-side comparison of how these places approach childhood.

At a glance

Chile

In Chile, every newborn receives a free 'Chile Crece Contigo' box with baby supplies from the government.

This universal program, inspired by Finland's baby box, delivers diapers, clothes, and parenting guides to every family โ€” a rare social policy achievement in South America.

Norway

In Norway, all children have a legal right to attend kindergarten from age 1 โ€” and 92% do.

Since 2009, every Norwegian child has a statutory right to a kindergarten place. With fees capped at roughly $300/month and heavy public subsidies, near-universal attendance from age 1 is the norm.

Indicators side by side
Under-5 mortality rate
6.8
Chile
2.4
Norway
per 1,000
Education spending (% of GDP)
5.4%
Chile
6.6%
Norway
%
Child poverty rate
13.7%
Chile
7.6%
Norway
%
Corporal punishment
Banned
Chile
Banned
Norway
Childcare enrollment (0-2)
30%
Chile
60%
Norway
%
Paid parental leave
30 wk
Chile
59 wk
Norway
weeks
Child stunting rate
1.8%
Chile
n/a
Norway
%
Immunization (DPT3)
93%
Chile
97%
Norway
%
Adolescent birth rate
23.1
Chile
4.1
Norway
per 1,000
PISA average score
412
Chile
478
Norway
points
Secondary completion rate
85%
Chile
86%
Norway
%
Early childhood education enrollment
85%
Chile
97%
Norway
%
Birth registration rate
100%
Chile
100%
Norway
%
Child labor rate
1%
Chile
0%
Norway
%
Child benefit spending (% of GDP)
1.2%
Chile
3.2%
Norway
% of GDP
How they compare
Child independence expectations
Chile
Norway
Low High
Structured enrichment emphasis
Chile
Norway
Low High
Risk tolerance in play
Chile
Norway
Low High
School systems
Marketized South American model

Chile

School starts at age 6. Chile has one of the most market-driven education systems in South America, with public, subsidized-private, and fully private schools competing for students. School runs roughly 8 AM to 4 PM under the extended school day policy.

Nordic model

Norway

Children start school at age 6 with a year of play-based learning. Formal academic instruction begins at age 7. No grades until year 8. Education is free through university. Small class sizes and high teacher autonomy are hallmarks.

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โ† Chile profile ยท Norway profile โ†’