Argentina

Code: AR | Region: South America

Introduction

Background

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In 1816, the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. European immigrants heavily shaped the country's population and culture, with Italy and Spain providing the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political unrest and conflict between civilian and military factions. After World War II, former President Juan Domingo PERÓN -- the founder of the Peronist political movement -- introduced an era of populism, serving three non-consecutive terms in office until his death in 1974. Direct and indirect military interference in government throughout the PERÓN years led to a military junta taking power in 1976. In 1982, the junta failed in its bid to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) by force from the United Kingdom. Democracy was reinstated in 1983 and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the successive resignations of several presidents. The years 2003-15 saw Peronist rule by Néstor KIRCHNER (2003-07) and his spouse Cristina FERNÁNDEZ DE KIRCHNER (2007-15), who oversaw several years of strong economic growth (2003-11) followed by a gradual deterioration in the government’s fiscal situation and eventual economic stagnation and isolation. Argentina underwent a brief period of economic reform and international reintegration under Mauricio MACRI (2015-19), but a recession in 2018-19 and frustration with MACRI’s economic policies ushered in a new Peronist government in 2019 led by President Alberto FERNÁNDEZ and Vice President Cristina FERNÁNDEZ DE KIRCHNER. Argentina's high public debts, its pandemic-related inflationary pressures, and systemic monetary woes served as the catalyst for the 2023 elections, culminating with President Javier MILEI's electoral success. Argentina has since eliminated half of its government agencies and is seeking shock therapy to amend taxation and monetary policies.

Geography

Location

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Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay

Geographic coordinates

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34 00 S, 64 00 W

Map references

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South America

Area

total

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2,780,400 sq km

land

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2,736,690 sq km

water

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43,710 sq km

Area - comparative

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slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

Land boundaries

total

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11,968 km

border countries

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Bolivia 942 km; Brazil 1,263 km; Chile 6,691 km; Paraguay 2,531 km; Uruguay 541 km

Coastline

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4,989 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

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12 nm

contiguous zone

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24 nm

exclusive economic zone

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200 nm

continental shelf

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200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

Climate

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mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Terrain

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rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border

Elevation

highest point

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Cerro Aconcagua (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza; highest point in South America) 6,962 m

lowest point

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Laguna del Carbón (located between Puerto San Julián and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) -105 m

mean elevation

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595 m

Natural resources

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fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium, arable land

Land use

agricultural land

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42.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 14.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 27.3% (2023 est.)

forest

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17.2% (2023 est.)

other

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40.4% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

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13,910 sq km (2018)

Major lakes (area sq km)

fresh water lake(s)

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Lago Buenos Aires (shared with Chile) - 2,240 sq km; Lago Argentino - 1,410 sq km; Lago Viedma - 1,090 sq km; Lago San Martín (shared with Chile) - 1,010 sq km; Lago Colhué Huapi - 800 sq km; Lago Fagnano (shared with Chile) - 590 sq km; Lago Nahuel Huapi - 550 sq km

salt water lake(s)

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Laguna Mar Chiquita - 1,850 sq km;

Major rivers (by length in km)

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Río de la Plata/Paraná river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Paraguay, and Uruguay) - 4,880 km; Paraguay (shared with Brazil [s], and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Uruguay (shared with Brazil [s] and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage

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Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)

Major aquifers

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Guaraní Aquifer System

Population distribution

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one third of the population lives in Buenos Aires; pockets of agglomeration occur throughout the northern and central parts of the country; Patagonia to the south remains sparsely populated

Natural hazards

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San Miguel de Tucumán and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding in some areas volcanism: volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border; Copahue (2,997 m) last erupted in 2000; other historically active volcanoes include Llullaillaco, Maipo, Planchón-Peteroa, San José, Tromen, Tupungatito, and Viedma

Geography - note

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second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbón is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere; shares Iguazú Falls, the world's largest waterfalls system, with Brazil

People and Society

Population

total

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45,418,098 (2025 est.)

male

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22,535,980

female

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22,882,118

Nationality

noun

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Argentine(s)

adjective

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Argentine

Ethnic groups

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European (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) and Mestizo (mixed European and Indigenous ancestry) 97.2%, Indigenous 2.4%, African descent 0.4% (2010 est.)

Languages

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Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Quechua, Guarani, Mapudungun)

major-language sample(s)

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La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions

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Roman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3% (Pentecostal 13%, other Evangelical 2.3%), Jehovah's Witness and Church of Jesus Christ 1.4%, other 1.2% (includes Muslim, Jewish), none 18.9% (includes agnostic and atheist), unspecified 0.3% (2019 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years

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23.3% (male 5,632,983/female 5,301,778)

15-64 years

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63.9% (male 15,071,215/female 14,956,069)

65 years and over

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12.8% (2024 est.) (male 2,570,596/female 3,461,743)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

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49.9 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

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30.3 (2025 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

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19.6 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

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5.1 (2025 est.)

Median age

total

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34.6 years (2025 est.)

male

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32.1 years

female

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34.6 years

Population growth rate

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0.26% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

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10.47 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

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7.94 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

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0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

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one third of the population lives in Buenos Aires; pockets of agglomeration occur throughout the northern and central parts of the country; Patagonia to the south remains sparsely populated

Urbanization

urban population

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92.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

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15.490 million BUENOS AIRES (capital), 1.612 million Córdoba, 1.594 million Rosario, 1.226 million Mendoza, 1.027 million San Miguel de Tucumán, 914,000 La Plata (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth

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1.07 male(s)/female

0-14 years

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1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years

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1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

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0.74 male(s)/female

total population

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0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

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33 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total

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7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

male

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9.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female

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7.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population

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78.8 years (2024 est.)

male

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75.8 years

female

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82 years

Total fertility rate

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1.43 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

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0.69 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

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urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

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total: (2020 est.) NA

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

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9.7% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

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15.2% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

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5.11 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

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3.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

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urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

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urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

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28.3% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total

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7.95 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

beer

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3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

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2.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

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0.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

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0.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total

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21.9% (2025 est.)

male

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26.9% (2025 est.)

female

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17.1% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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2% (2018 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

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49.7% (2020 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15

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2.4% (2020)

women married by age 18

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15.5% (2020)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

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5.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

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14% national budget (2023 est.)

Literacy

total population

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99.1% (2020 est.)

male

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99.1% (2020 est.)

female

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99.2% (2020 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total

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19 years (2022 est.)

male

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17 years (2022 est.)

female

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21 years (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues

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deforestation; soil degradation (erosion, salinization); desertification; air pollution; water pollution

International environmental agreements

party to

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Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

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Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation

Climate

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mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Land use

agricultural land

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42.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

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arable land: 14.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

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permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

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permanent pasture: 27.3% (2023 est.)

forest

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17.2% (2023 est.)

other

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40.4% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

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92.5% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

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0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

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198.141 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

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5.022 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

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102.998 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas

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90.122 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

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12 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Methane emissions

energy

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1,553.3 kt (2022-2024 est.)

agriculture

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3,035.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)

waste

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631 kt (2019-2021 est.)

other

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89.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

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17.911 million tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

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9.6% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

municipal

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5.85 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

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4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

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27.93 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources

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876.24 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name

conventional long form

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Argentine Republic

conventional short form

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Argentina

local long form

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República Argentina

local short form

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Argentina

etymology

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the name is derived from one of the Spanish words for "silver," but the origin is unclear; it may have described the land next to the Rio de la Plata ("Silver River"), a major river that forms the boundary between Argentina and Uruguay; another possible source is the Spanish explorers in the 16th century mistakenly believing that the silver ornaments they bought from inhabitants came from a local source of silver

Government type

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presidential republic

Capital

name

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Buenos Aires

geographic coordinates

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34 36 S, 58 22 W

time difference

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UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology

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the name translates as "fair winds" in Spanish; the full original name, Nuestra Senora Santa Maria de los Buenos Aires, was given only to the port; the city was founded separately from the port in 1536 and was named Ciudad de la Santissima Trinidad (City of the Most Holy Trinity); the shortened version of the port name eventually became the city name

Administrative divisions

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23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city*; Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires*, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlántico Sur (Tierra del Fuego - Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands), Tucuman

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note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica

Legal system

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civil law system based on Western European legal systems

note

note: in 2015, Argentina adopted a new civil code, replacing the old one in force since 1871

Constitution

history

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several previous; latest effective 11 May 1853

amendment process

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a declaration of proposed amendments requires two-thirds majority vote by both houses of the National Congress followed by approval by an ad hoc, multi-member constitutional convention

International law organization participation

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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

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yes

citizenship by descent only

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yes

dual citizenship recognized

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yes

residency requirement for naturalization

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2 years

Suffrage

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18-70 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-17 years of age: optional for national elections

Executive branch

chief of state

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President Javier Gerardo MILEI (since 10 December 2023)

head of government

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President Javier Gerardo MILEI (since 10 December 2023)

cabinet

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Cabinet appointed by the president

election/appointment process

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president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified majority vote (to win, a candidate must receive at least 45% of votes, or 40% of votes and a 10-point lead over the second-place candidate; if neither occurs, a second round is held); the president serves a 4-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term)

most recent election date

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22 October 2023, with a runoff held 19 November 2023

election results

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2023: Javier Gerardo MILEI elected president in second round; percent vote in first round - Sergio Tomás MASSA (FR) 36.7%, Javier Gerardo MILEI (PL) 30%, Patricia BULLRICH 23.8% (JxC/PRO), Juan SCHIARETTI (PJ) 6.8%, Myriam BREGMAN (PTS) 2.7%; percent of vote in second round - Javier Gerardo MILEI 55.7%, Sergio Tomás MASSA 44.3% 2019: Alberto Ángel FERNÁNDEZ elected president; percent of vote - Alberto Angel FERNÁNDEZ (TODOS) 48.1%, Mauricio MACRI (PRO) 40.4%, Roberto LAVAGNA (independent) 6.2%, other 5.3%

expected date of next election

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October 2027

Legislative branch

legislature name

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National Congress (Congreso de la nación)

legislative structure

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bicameral

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

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Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados)

number of seats

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257 (all directly elected)

electoral system

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proportional representation

scope of elections

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partial renewal

term in office

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4 years

most recent election date

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10/22/2023

parties elected and seats per party

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Union for the Homeland (UP) (48); Freedom Advances (LLA) (28); Together for Change (JxC/Juntos) (27); Other (25)

percentage of women in chamber

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42.4%

expected date of next election

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October 2025

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

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Senate (Senado)

number of seats

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72 (all directly elected)

electoral system

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proportional representation

scope of elections

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partial renewal

term in office

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6 years

most recent election date

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10/22/2023

parties elected and seats per party

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Union for the Homeland (UP) (9); Freedom Advances (LLA) (6); Together for Change (JxC/Juntos) (2); Front for the Renewal of Social Concord – Federal Innovation (2); Federal Renewal (2); For Santa Cruz (2); Other (1)

percentage of women in chamber

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45.8%

expected date of next election

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October 2025

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

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Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of the court president, vice president, 2 judges, 1 vacancy)

judge selection and term of office

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judges nominated by the president and approved by the Senate; ministers can serve until mandatory retirement at age 75; extensions beyond 75 require renomination by the president and approval by the Senate

subordinate courts

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federal-level appellate, district, and territorial courts; provincial-level supreme, appellate, and first-instance courts

Political parties

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Avanza Libertad or AL Civic Coalition ARI or CC-ARI Consenso Federal (Federal Consensus) or CF Frente Cívico por Santiago (Civic Front for Santiago) Frente de Izquierda y de los Trabajadores – Unidad (Workers' Left Front) or FIT-U (coalition of leftist parties in lower house; includes PTS, PO, and MST) Frente de la Concordia Misionero (Front for the Renewal of Social Concord) or FRCS Frente Renovador (Renewal Front) or FR Generación por un Encuentro Nacional (Generation for a National Encounter) or GEN Hacemos por Córdoba (We do for Cordoba) or HC Hacemos por Nuestro Pais (We Do For Our Country) or NHP Juntos por el Cambio (Together for Change) or JxC (includes CC-ARI, PRO, and UCR); note - primary opposition coalition since 2019 Juntos Somos Río Negro (Together We Are Rio Negro) or JSRN Partido Justicialista (Justicialist Party) or PJ La Cámpora La Libertad Avanza (The Liberty Advances) or LLA Movimiento Popular Neuquino (Neuquén People's Movement) or MPN Movimiento Socialista de los Trabajadores (Workers' Socialist Movement) or MST Partido de los Trabajadores Socialistas (Socialist Workers' Party) or PTS Partido Demócrata (Democratic Party) or PDN Partido Libertario (Libertarian Party) or PL; note - party is also a founding member of the coalition La Libertad Avanza Partido Obrero (Workers' Party) or PO Partido Socialista or PS Propuesta Republicana (Republican Proposal) or PRO Unidad Federal (coalition of provencial parties in the lower house; includes FRCS and JSRN) Unión Cívica Radical (Radical Civic Union) or UCR Unión por la Patria (Union for the Homeland) or UP (formerly Frente de Todos (Everyone's Front) or FdT) (includes FR, La Cámpora, and PJ); note - ruling coalition since 2019; includes several national and provincial Peronist political parties Vamos con Vos (Let's Go with You) or VcV

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Alejandro (Alec) Carlos Francisco OXENFORD (since 11 June 2025)

chancery

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1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone

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[1] (202) 238-6400

FAX

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[1] (202) 332-3171

email address and website

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eeeuu@mrecic.gov.ar https://eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar/en

consulate(s) general

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Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

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Ambassador Peter LAMELAS (since 4 November 2025)

embassy

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Avenida Colombia 4300, (C1425GMN) Buenos Aires

mailing address

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3130 Buenos Aires Place, Washington DC  20521-3130

telephone

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[54] (11) 5777-4533

FAX

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[54] (11) 5777-4240

email address and website

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Buenosairespublicaffairs@state.gov https://ar.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

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AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (associate), CD, CABEI, CELAC, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, PROSUR, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNOOSA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Independence

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9 July 1816 (from Spain)

National holiday

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Revolution Day (May Revolution Day), 25 May (1810)

Flag

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description: three equal horizontal bands of sky blue (top), white, and sky blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face that is known as the Sun of May meaning: the colors represent the clear skies and snow of the Andes Mountains; the sun commemorates the first mass demonstration in favor of independence on 25 May 1810, when the sun broke through the clouds; the sun is designed to look like Inti, the Incan god of the sun

National symbol(s)

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Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)

National color(s)

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sky blue, white

National anthem(s)

title

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"Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem)

lyrics/music

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Vicente LOPEZ y PLANES/Jose Blas PARERA

history

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adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain; a 1900 presidential decree declared that only the first and last verses would be considered official, rather than the original nine verses

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

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12 (7 cultural, 5 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales

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Los Glaciares National Park (n); Jesuit Missions of the Guaranis (c); Iguazú National Park (n); Cueva de las Manos (c); Valdés Península (n); Ischigualasto/Talampaya National Parks (n); Jesuit Block and Estancias of Córdoba (c); Quebrada de Humahuaca (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c)

Economy

Economic overview

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large diversified economy; financial risks from debt obligations, rapid inflation, and reduced investor appetites; resource-rich, export-led growth model; increasing trade relations with China; G20 and OAS leader; tendency to nationalize businesses and under-report inflation

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

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$1.213 trillion (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

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$1.234 trillion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

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$1.255 trillion (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024

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-1.7% (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

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-1.6% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

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5.3% (2022 est.)

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note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024

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$26,500 (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

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$27,100 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

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$27,600 (2022 est.)

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note: data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

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$633.267 billion (2024 est.)

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note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

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73.1% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

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47.1% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020

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40.5% (2020 est.)

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note: annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

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6% (2024 est.)

industry

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24% (2024 est.)

services

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53.4% (2024 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

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68.1% (2024 est.)

government consumption

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15% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

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15.8% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

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-0.1% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

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15.3% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

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-12.8% (2024 est.)

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note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

text

maize, soybeans, sugarcane, wheat, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, beef, potatoes, chicken (2023)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries

text

food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel

Industrial production growth rate

text

-7.2% (2024 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force

text

22.286 million (2024 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024

text

7.9% (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

text

6.2% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

text

6.9% (2022 est.)

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total

text

21.2% (2024 est.)

male

text

19.8% (2024 est.)

female

text

23% (2024 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line

text

41.7% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023

text

42.4 (2023 est.)

note

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Average household expenditures

on food

text

23.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco

text

1.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%

text

1.9% (2023 est.)

highest 10%

text

31% (2023 est.)

note

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances

Remittances 2024

text

0.2% of GDP (2024 est.)

Remittances 2023

text

0.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2022

text

0.2% of GDP (2022 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget

revenues

text

$115.69 billion (2023 est.)

expenditures

text

$139.037 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Public debt

Public debt 2016

text

55% of GDP (2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

text

10% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Current account balance

Current account balance 2024

text

$6.285 billion (2024 est.)

Current account balance 2023

text

-$20.956 billion (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2022

text

-$4.055 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports

Exports 2024

text

$96.899 billion (2024 est.)

Exports 2023

text

$82.947 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2022

text

$102.928 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners

text

Brazil 18%, USA 9%, Chile 8%, China 8%, India 4% (2023)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities

text

soybean meal, corn, trucks, soybean oil, crude petroleum (2023)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports

Imports 2024

text

$79.999 billion (2024 est.)

Imports 2023

text

$92.3 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2022

text

$97.399 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners

text

Brazil 23%, China 20%, USA 12%, Paraguay 5%, Germany 4% (2023)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities

text

soybeans, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, natural gas, cars (2023)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

text

$29.56 billion (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

text

$23.081 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

text

$44.795 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

text

$74.362 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates

Currency

text

Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

text

914.695 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

text

296.258 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

text

130.617 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

text

94.991 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

text

70.539 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population

text

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity

text

47.631 million kW (2023 est.)

consumption

text

114.667 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports

text

31 million kWh (2023 est.)

imports

text

11.393 billion kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

text

27.027 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

text

61.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear

text

6.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

text

2.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind

text

11% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

text

16.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste

text

1.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Nuclear energy

Number of operational nuclear reactors

text

3 (2025)

Number of nuclear reactors under construction

text

1 (2025)

Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors

text

1.64GW (2025 est.)

Percent of total electricity production

text

6.3% (2023 est.)

Coal

production

text

869,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

consumption

text

2.534 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports

text

300 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

text

1.936 million metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves

text

799.999 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production

text

807,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

text

749,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

text

2.483 billion barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

production

text

43.69 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption

text

46.028 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

exports

text

2.344 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports

text

5.225 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves

text

396.464 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

text

78.496 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

text

6.42 million (2024 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

14 (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

text

64.1 million (2024 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

140 (2024 est.)

Broadcast media

text

one of South America's biggest media markets; dozens of TV networks, hundreds of radio stations, and more than 150 daily newspapers (2023)

Internet country code

text

.ar

Internet users

percent of population

text

89% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

text

11.5 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

text

25 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

text

Airports

text

764 (2025)

Heliports

text

148 (2025)

Railways

total

text

17,866 km (2018)

Merchant marine

total

text

201 (2023)

by type

text

container ship 1, bulk carrier 1 general cargo 8, oil tanker 33, other 158

Ports

total ports

text

37 (2024)

large

text

medium

text

small

text

very small

text

ports with oil terminals

text

key ports

text

Buenos Aires, Campana, Concepcion del Uruguay, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Puerto Belgrano, Puerto Ingeniero White, Puerto Madryn, Rosario, San Sebastian Bay, Santa Fe, Ushuaia, Zarate

Military and Security

Military and security forces

text

Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic (Fuerzas Armadas de la República Argentina): Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino, EA), Navy of the Argentine Republic (Armada Republica, ARA; includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) Ministry of Security: Gendarmería Nacional Argentina (National Gendarmerie), Coast Guard (Prefectura Naval) (2025)

note

note: all federal police forces are under the Ministry of Security

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024

text

0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

text

0.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

text

0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

text

0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

text

0.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

text

approximately 75,000 active-duty Armed Forces (45,000 Army; 15,000 Navy, including about 3,500 marines; 15,000 Air Force) (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

text

the inventory of Argentina's armed forces is a mix of domestically produced and imported weapons, largely from Europe and the US; in recent years, France and the US have been the leading suppliers of equipment; Argentina has an indigenous defense industry that produces air, land, and naval systems (2025)

Military service age and obligation

text

18-24 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; conscription suspended in 1995; citizens can still be drafted in times of crisis, national emergency, or war, or if the Defense Ministry is unable to fill all vacancies to keep the military functional (2025)

note

note 1: as of 2024, women comprised nearly 20% of the active-duty military note 2: in 2025, the Argentine Government announced the creation of a Voluntary Military Service program for people aged 18–28 to be managed by the Ministries of Defense and Human Capital; the program's goals include to instill values like discipline and patriotism while offering training in trades such as cooking, mechanics, and security, alongside opportunities to complete compulsory education

Military deployments

text

230 Cyprus (UNFICYP) (2025)

Military - note

text

the Argentine military’s primary responsibilities are territorial defense and protecting the country’s sovereignty; duties also include border security, countering narcotics trafficking, and other internal missions, such as disaster response and infrastructure development; it conducts support operations and has bases in Antarctica to promote an active presence in areas of national territory that are sparsely populated; the military also participates in both bilateral and multinational training exercises and supports UN peacekeeping operations Argentina participates in the Tripartite Command, an interagency security mechanism created by Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay to exchange information and combat transnational threats, such as crime and terrorism, in the Tri-Border Area; in addition, Argentina and Chile have a joint peacekeeping force known as the Combined Southern Cross Peacekeeping Force, designed to be made available to the UN; Argentina has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation the Army and Navy were both created in 1810 during the Argentine War of Independence, while the Air Force was established in 1945; the military conducted coups d'état in 1930, 1943, 1955, 1962, 1966, and 1976; the 1976 coup, aka the "National Reorganization Process," marked the beginning of the so-called "Dirty War," a period of state-sponsored terrorism that saw the deaths or disappearances of thousands of Argentinians; the defeat in the 1982 Falklands War led to the downfall of the military junta (2025)

Space

Space agency/agencies

text

Argentina National Space Activities Commission (Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, CONAE; formed in 1991) (2025)

note

note: CONAE’s predecessor was the National Commission for Space Research (Comisión Nacional de Investigaciones Espaciales, CNIE; formed in 1960)

Space launch site(s)

text

Manuel Belgrano Space Center (Buenos Aires province); Punta Indio Space Center (Buenos Aires province); Teofilo Tabanera Space Center (CETT; Cordoba Province; testing/mission control) (2025)

Space program overview

text

has a national space program and a history in the development of space-related capabilities, including rockets and satellites; develops, builds, and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites, often in partnership with other countries; developing additional satellites with more advanced payloads; contracts with commercial and other government space agencies for launches, but has a domestic rocket program and is developing space launch vehicle (SLV) capabilities; cooperates with a broad range of space agencies and industries, including those of Brazil, China, the European Space Agency and its member states (particularly France, Italy), and the US; also has a commercial space industry (2025)

Key space-program milestones

text

1961-1967 - launched first rocket (Alfa Centauro) and was first country in Latin America to send an animal into space 1997 - first domestically built communications satellite (Nahuel-1A) launched on European satellite launch vehicle (SLV) 2007 - launch of first sub-orbital test rocket for domestic SLV (Tronador) project 2018 - first domestically built, synthetic-aperture-radar remote sensing satellite (SAOCOM 1A) launched by US 2020-2021 - worked with Mexico to create the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) 2023 - signed US-led Artemis Accords outlining best practices for space exploration 2025 - continued development of two-stage Tronador SLV

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s)

text

Hizballah

note

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees

text

9,175 (2024 est.)

IDPs

text

74 (2024 est.)

stateless persons

text

34 (2024 est.)