Chile's economy delivered a stronger-than-expected end to the second quarter. The central bank reported Monday that its Imacec activity index, a proxy for GDP, rose 0.6% from May. Economists had projected a 0.3% gain, so the reported figure came in at double the consensus. Compared with June 2025, activity climbed 2.4%, the first positive annual reading so far this year.
According to the central bank, mining output rose 3.4% month over month in June. Trade was up 1.5%, services edged up 0.5%, and industry fell 0.9%. The mixed pattern underscores how dependent the economy remains on mining even as other sectors gradually improve.
The June data give President José Antonio Kast a bit of breathing room after a weak quarter, but the broader picture remains challenging. The national jobless rate, now at its steepest in half a decade, and softer investment prospects have led analysts to cut 2026 growth expectations to close to 1%. Kast took office in March promising to jump-start one of Latin America's wealthiest nations. Yet inflation remains well above the central bank's 3% objective, and the bank has held off on cutting its benchmark interest rate.
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On July 6, Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz pointed to June sales tax receipts as evidence that the economy was gaining momentum, and he predicted expansion in the months ahead. Congress has already passed the core of Kast's economic plan - lower corporate taxes and guarantees for investment projects - that his government hopes will speed up growth.
The government's approach rests on structural changes rather than immediate stimulus. That mix of fiscal optimism and monetary caution leaves limited room for a rapid acceleration.
Chile is still recovering from winter storms that hit parts of the country in July. The storms killed over 12 people, isolated tens of thousands of residents, disrupted some mining operations and temporarily closed schools. Those disruptions are expected to weigh on July activity.
The labor market adds pressure. ICARE reported that business confidence fell for a fifth straight month in July, to a level not seen since December 2024.
The central bank's quarterly monetary report, released June 17, revised the 2026 growth forecast down to 1%-1.75% from the 1.5%-2.5% band presented in March. That downgrade is an important reminder that one good month does not signal a sustained recovery.
The June reading gives policymakers a brighter starting point for the second half, but it comes after several months of weak data.
"There's still much work to be done," "Daniel Mas, Chile's mining and economy minister, said Monday in a post on X". "Our goals of unblocking investment projects and creating 300,000 new jobs remain firm."
The June rebound may offer short-term relief, but investors will be watching whether policy measures can overcome high unemployment, above-target inflation and the effects of the storms. The coming months will test whether Kast's economic bill can deliver the faster growth he has promised.
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