Chile's genetic profile reflects centuries of Native American, European and smaller African ancestry mixing.

A Nature Communications study analyzed 313 Chileans from across the country. Using weighted ancestry estimates, the population was modeled at roughly 55% European, 42% Native American and 2–3% African ancestry.

The European component was genetically closer to Spaniards and Italians than to British or northern-European references, consistent with Chile's colonial history. On the Native American side, Chileans were closer to Aymara and Quechua populations from the central Andes than to Maya or Nahua groups farther north.

Ancestry also changes geographically. Central Chile carried the highest European contribution, reaching about 57% in one central zone.

African ancestry was small overall but followed a clear north–south gradient: approximately 3.9% in the northernmost zone, declining to 1.3% in the far south. The authors connect this pattern to the historical distribution of African slavery along the Pacific coast.

The sex chromosomes reveal another colonial signature: European ancestry was disproportionately male-derived, while Native American ancestry was more strongly female-derived.

Individual variation was enormous. Native American ancestry ranged from about 13% to 91%, while European ancestry ranged from roughly 8% to 99%.

📚 Source: Eyheramendy et al. (2015), Nature Communications
Genetic structure characterization of Chileans reflects historical immigration patterns

🧬 Curious about your own ancestry?
🌍 Explore your DNA at https://www.worldgenetics.app/