Which areas of Chile attract the largest numbers of internal migrants?

In Chile, internal migration is primarily driven by a steady flow of people moving from rural regions—particularly those in the Central Valley and north-central areas—toward the country's large cities and industrial centers.1

The areas that attract the largest numbers of these internal migrants include:

• Santiago: As the national capital, it is the primary destination for the majority of internal migrants.1
• Valparaíso–Viña del Mar: This metropolitan area serves as the second-largest population center and a major destination for migrants.12
• Concepción–Talcahuano: These industrial centers also receive a significant portion of the migrant population.12

Additionally, some migration occurs toward northern coastal cities, which receive individuals from Santiago and Valparaíso as well as from small villages in the far north. In the south, Punta Arenas has historically attracted migrants from the Chiloé islands. These movements are largely motivated by unfavorable conditions in the countryside, such as the concentration of land ownership and the concentration of health, educational, and recreational facilities in major urban districts.13