Slow Economic Growth and Fast Mortality Decline in Chile, 1960-1995.

Chile from 1960 to 1995 reduced its infant mortality rate from 118 to 11 per 1000, more than any other country in Latin America. Much of the decline occurred during the first 10 years of the Pinochet dictatorship, when, despite harsh repression, radical free-market reform, and falling GDP per capita, infant mortality fell from 65 to 19 per 1000. This paper examines the socioeconomic circumstances and social welfare policies that contributed to rapid infant mortality decline in Chile from 1960 to 1995, and explores the implications of the Chilean experience for the propositions that "wealthier is healthier" and "democracy promotes development." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]