La octava región en el escenario económico y demográfico del Siglo XXI

Abstract

BioBio Region is one of the most important regions in demography, natural resources and Chile. This is understood in terms of contribution to national economy. Indeed, it is the second populous region. Although Biobío shows a paradox of low growth as a result of its natural growth and negative net migration balances.

Population decreases in 21 communes. This variable is permanently observed in increasing levels between censuses.

From a period of 13 years to current time, Biobío Region has always shown very high unemployment rates. Those have been, for several years, 2 or 3 points over national
average.

The Region contributed 11% or 12% to Chilean GDP in the period 1960- 1990. This allowance was reduced to 9, 2% in 1990 and it was maintained in this range until 2000. At the beginning of this century the contribution has increased. For the last 4 years it has been above 10, 3%. Biobío Region’s growth was 50% lower than the national range. Thus, it implied the reduction on the region’s national contribution. However, in the latest years Biobío Region and Chile present almost similar growing levels.

The regional exportations have had an increasing tendency in the period 1983 – 1995. It means a raise from US$ 1.057 to 2.592 (millions). Then stagnation was observed
until 2002. While a new increasing phase was developed reaching US$ 6.000 (millions) in 2008. These exportations are basically related to forestry and fishery industry. However, manufactured and agricultural exportations have shown an increasing curve.
The population income and even to other in Biobío Region is really lower compared to the national average regions. In this context, the poverty and indigence rates, in Biobío, are considered as the highest in Chile. Nevertheless, poverty has been strongly reduced in the period 1990-2006. But, Biobío Region keeps on being one of the 2 poorest in the country.

As a consequence of the previously exposed, there indicators in are deficient human development communes of Biobío Region. This situation is observed in 1994, 1998 and 2003. While, in 2003, there are 8 communes which belongs to Biobío Region included in the national list of 12 communes with the substandard human indicators. Indeed, Biobío has no cases of communes with high or very high human development. This situation is negative compared to Metropolitan or other regions with communes that reached those high ranges in human development.