Longitudinal Study of the Antofagasta Region 2024
Social X-ray of Antofagasta
Antofagasta, June 3, 2025.- The Antofagasta Region has shown signs of progress and resilience, with notable improvements in health and education that open up opportunities for more equitable development. The data, along with the challenges that remain, were revealed by the 2024 Longitudinal Study of the Antofagasta Region, a social snapshot promoted by the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, the Catholic University of the North, and SQM, which is consolidating its position as a tool for building a more well-being future.
Thus, health coverage reaching 88,5% of the population, significant growth in early childhood education—with 47% attendance—and access to basic services exceeding 95% in urban areas are some of the study's findings.
The initiative reaffirms the value of public-private-academic collaboration as a tool to guide regional development with concrete evidence.
Social X-ray of the Antofagasta region
Thanks to the partnership, over two years, 5.460 households and more than 13.500 people have been monitored throughout the region, including camps. This has allowed for the generation of a robust and representative social snapshot that provides key input for the design of public policies and social programs.
"This type of study, in addition to telling us who we are and how we've evolved over time, provides us with information and science to inform our opinions and make public policies. It's very important to know what the barometer statistically indicates in order to design the city," explained Sacha Razmilic, mayor of Antofagasta.
Highlights in 2024
- Early education and health on the rise: Early childhood education attendance reached 47%, exceeding pre-pandemic levels and strengthening human capital from early childhood. In health, 88,5% of those with recent health problems accessed medical care, and 77,9% received AUGE-GES coverage, a seven-point improvement compared to the previous year.
- Employment stability and rising labor force participation in key areas: Although the labor market is mixed, municipalities such as Sierra Gorda and Ollagüe have participation rates exceeding 79%, with unemployment rates in the region remaining stable at around 5%.
Challenges to be addressed with evidence and coordinated action
The study also identifies aspects that require urgent attention: real income fell 16,1% in one year, and income poverty increased to 12,2%, especially in municipalities such as Antofagasta and María Elena. These data reinforce the need for targeted policies and better coordination between public, private, and social actors to prevent setbacks in well-being.
"We want to have conversations that tell us how to contribute to better and greater development and a more optimal quality of life for the region. We see a very strong spirit of public-private collaboration, and that is the most important thing to achieve a real impact at the regional and territorial level," added José Miguel Berguño, Vice President of Services and Sustainability at SQM Litio.
For her part, SQM Litio's Public Affairs Manager, Germana González, stated that "there is good news, but also a series of challenges that call on us to generate projects, and from the public sector, to develop public policies that put people at the center."
Also present at this discussion was Rodrigo Vera, Vice President of Planning and Projects at SQM Yodo Nutrición Vegetal, who emphasized that "these results have allowed us to understand the evolution of the Antofagasta region. We seek not only to contribute to growth and employment, but also to policies that allow us to commit to programs and activities that respond to the needs of the communities where we operate."
“Being able to conduct traceability over two years allows authorities and companies to measure the effectiveness of the programs being implemented. Therefore, we want to continue promoting this study and working collaboratively to advance and continue contributing to the residents and territories of the Antofagasta region,” added Aníbal Abogabir, Public Affairs and Community Manager at SQM Yodo Nutrición Vegetal.
A shared roadmap for regional development
The ELR-A results are available to the entire regional community through the Antofagasta Territorial Information System (SIT), allowing municipalities, community organizations, businesses, and universities to make decisions based on up-to-date data and verifiable objectives.
"It's a study that follows families over time, using a large-scale survey, contributing to the creation of a public good that can be used to generate regional agreements on priorities. This means we no longer need to replicate assessments, but rather prioritize and reach agreements in order to channel resources," explained Cristián Rodríguez, director of the Public Policy Institute at the Catholic University of the North.
With this instrument, the Antofagasta region positions itself as a national benchmark in evidence-based planning. If it aligns its efforts with the study's findings, it will be able to consolidate progress in education, health, and infrastructure, while decisively addressing the challenges of informality, aging, and emerging poverty.
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About SQM Lithium
SQM Litio is a global company listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Santiago Stock Exchange (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A), which develops and produces essential products for health, nutrition, renewable energy, and technology. The company leads the global markets for lithium, iodine, and potassium nitrate, driving human progress through innovation and sustainability.
About SQM Yodo Plant Nutrition
SQM Yodo Nutrición Plantal is a global chemical company based in northern Chile with over 50 years of experience, dedicated to transforming natural resources into solutions for health, nutrition, and technology. It operates through four business lines: Specialty Plant Nutrition, Iodine and Derivatives, Industrial Chemicals, and Potassium. Its values—Safety, Excellence, Integrity, Sustainability, and Challenge—guide every step of its journey toward innovation and development.