Comparison

Taiwan vs Chile

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

At a glance

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.

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.

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

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.

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โ† Taiwan profile ยท Chile profile โ†’