Comparison

Chile vs Taiwan

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.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, cram schools (buxiban) are so common that streets around them have rush hour at 9 PM.

Taiwan's educational intensity rivals South Korea and Japan โ€” children's evenings are structured around supplementary classes that extend the school day well into the night.

Indicators side by side
Under-5 mortality rate
6.8
Chile
4.2
Taiwan
per 1,000
Education spending (% of GDP)
5.4%
Chile
4.3%
Taiwan
%
Child poverty rate
13.7%
Chile
n/a
Taiwan
%
Corporal punishment
Banned
Chile
Banned
Taiwan
Childcare enrollment (0-2)
30%
Chile
20%
Taiwan
%
Paid parental leave
30 wk
Chile
26 wk
Taiwan
weeks
Child stunting rate
1.8%
Chile
n/a
Taiwan
%
Immunization (DPT3)
93%
Chile
97%
Taiwan
%
Adolescent birth rate
23.1
Chile
4.0
Taiwan
per 1,000
PISA average score
412
Chile
547
Taiwan
points
Secondary completion rate
85%
Chile
97%
Taiwan
%
Early childhood education enrollment
85%
Chile
96%
Taiwan
%
Birth registration rate
100%
Chile
100%
Taiwan
%
Child labor rate
1%
Chile
0%
Taiwan
%
Child benefit spending (% of GDP)
1.2%
Chile
0.9%
Taiwan
% of GDP
How they compare
Child independence expectations
Chile
Taiwan
Low High
Structured enrichment emphasis
Chile
Taiwan
Low High
Risk tolerance in play
Chile
Taiwan
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.

East Asian model with recent progressive reforms

Taiwan

Nine years of compulsory education plus a 12-year extension making senior high school nearly universal. The curriculum underwent major reform in 2019, adding elective courses and reducing mandatory content. Mandarin is the language of instruction, with Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, and indigenous languages offered.

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โ† Chile profile ยท Taiwan profile โ†’