SANTIAGO, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Chile's economic activity

expanded 4.7 percent in December of last year compared with the

same month of 2011, beating forecasts for 4.0 percent growth on

the back of surging services and retail, the central bank said

on Tuesday.

The small, exports-dependent country's economic activity

totaled 5.5 percent growth last year, defying forecasts for a

harsher slowdown on the back of slowing demand from top trade

partner China and fallout from the euro zone crisis.

The IMACEC indicator of economic activity grew

1.2 percent in December from November, broadly keeping up its

expansion rhythm after 1.3 percent growth in November from

October.

A tight labor market, along with firm domestic demand and

strong economic growth, has prompted Chile's central bank to

keep its key interest rate on hold since a surprise

cut in January 2012.

In December 2011, the IMACEC was up 6.9 percent versus a

year earlier

The central bank calculates its month-on-month IMACEC data

in seasonally adjusted terms. A monthly gauge, the IMACEC

measures more than 90 percent of the components comprising

Chile's gross domestic product, which is published quarterly.

For the central bank's statement on IMACEC, please see: http://www.bcentral.cl/prensa/notas-prensa/pdf/05022013.pdf

(Reporting By Santiago newsroom; Editing by W Simon)

Keywords: CHILE IMACEC/

(alexandra.ulmer@thomsonreuters.com)(Twitter: @ReutersChile, @AlexandraUlmer)(+562-370-4229)(Reuters Messaging: alexandra.ulmer.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)

COPYRIGHT

Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013. All rights reserved.

The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.