Introduction
Background
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.
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Geography
Location
Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay
Geographic coordinates
34 00 S, 64 00 W
Map references
South America
Land boundaries
total: 11,968 km
border countries (5): Bolivia 942 km; Brazil 1,263 km; Chile 6,691 km; Paraguay 2,531 km; Uruguay 541 km
Coastline
4,989 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate
mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Terrain
rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border
Elevation
highest point: Cerro Aconcagua (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza; highest point in South America) 6,962 m
lowest point: Laguna del Carbón (located between Puerto San Julián and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) -105 m
mean elevation: 595 m
Natural resources
fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium, arable land
Land use
agricultural land: 43.4% (2022 est.)
arable land: 15.7% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.4% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 27.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 10.4% (2022 est.)
other: 46.2% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
13,910 sq km (2018)
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s): 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): Laguna Mar Chiquita - 1,850 sq km;
Major rivers (by length in km)
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: Paraná (2,582,704 sq km)
Major aquifers
Guaraní Aquifer System
Population distribution
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
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
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: 46,994,384 (2024 est.)
male: 23,274,794
female: 23,719,590
comparison rankings: total 34; male 33; female 33
Nationality
noun: Argentine(s)
adjective: Argentine
Ethnic groups
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
Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Quechua, Guarani, Mapudungun)
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
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: 23.3% (male 5,632,983/female 5,301,778)
15-64 years: 63.9% (male 15,071,215/female 14,956,069)
65 years and over: 12.8% (2024 est.) (male 2,570,596/female 3,461,743)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 50.9 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 31.5 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 19.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 5.1 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 33.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 32.1 years
female: 34.6 years
comparison ranking: total 112
Population distribution
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: 92.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
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: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 140
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 78.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 75.8 years
female: 82 years
comparison ranking: total population 72
Gross reproduction rate
1.04 (2024 est.)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.)
total: (2020 est.) NA
Health expenditure
9.7% of GDP (2021)
15.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
5.11 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
3.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 7.95 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 2.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 45
Tobacco use
total: 21.9% (2025 est.)
male: 26.9% (2025 est.)
female: 17.1% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 54
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
48.9% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 2.4% (2020)
women married by age 18: 15.5% (2020)
Education expenditure
4.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
12.7% national budget (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 71
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 19 years (2022 est.)
male: 17 years (2022 est.)
female: 21 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
deforestation; soil degradation (erosion, salinization); desertification; air pollution; water pollution
International environmental agreements
party to: 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: Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
Climate
mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Land use
agricultural land: 43.4% (2022 est.)
arable land: 15.7% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 0.4% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 27.3% (2022 est.)
forest: 10.4% (2022 est.)
other: 46.2% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 92.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
198.141 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 5.022 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 102.998 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 90.122 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 31
Particulate matter emissions
12 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Methane emissions
energy: 1,553.3 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture: 3,035.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste: 631 kt (2019-2021 est.)
other: 89.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 17.911 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 9.6% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 5.85 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial: 4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural: 27.93 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
876.24 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Argentine Republic
conventional short form: Argentina
local long form: República Argentina
local short form: Argentina
etymology: 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
presidential republic
Capital
name: Buenos Aires
geographic coordinates: 34 36 S, 58 22 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: 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
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 Atlantico Sur (Tierra del Fuego - Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands), Tucuman
note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica
Legal system
civil law system based on Western European legal systems
note: in 2015, Argentina adopted a new civil code, replacing the old one in force since 1871
Constitution
history: several previous; latest effective 11 May 1853
amendment process: 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
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years
Suffrage
18-70 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-17 years of age: optional for national elections
Executive branch
chief of state: President Javier Gerardo MILEI (since 10 December 2023)
head of government: President Javier Gerardo MILEI (since 10 December 2023)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
election/appointment process: 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: 22 October 2023, with a runoff held 19 November 2023
election results:
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: October 2027
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Congress (Congreso de la nación)
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name: Chamber of Deputies (Cámara de Diputados)
number of seats: 257 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: partial renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 10/22/2023
parties elected and seats per party: Union for the Homeland (UP) (48); Freedom Advances (LLA) (28); Together for Change (JxC/Juntos) (27); Other (27)
percentage of women in chamber: 42.4%
expected date of next election: October 2025
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name: Senate (Senado)
number of seats: 72 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: partial renewal
term in office: 6 years
most recent election date: 10/22/2023
parties elected and seats per party: 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: 45.8%
expected date of next election: October 2025
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of the court president, vice president, 2 judges, 1 vacancy)
judge selection and term of office: 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: federal-level appellate, district, and territorial courts; provincial-level supreme, appellate, and first-instance courts
Political parties
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: Ambassador Alejandro (Alec) Carlos Francisco OXENFORD (since 11 June 2025)
chancery: 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 238-6400
FAX: [1] (202) 332-3171
email address and website:
eeeuu@mrecic.gov.ar
https://eeeuu.cancilleria.gob.ar/en
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Heidi Gómez RÁPALO (since 11 July 2025)
embassy:
Avenida Colombia 4300, (C1425GMN) Buenos Aires
mailing address: 3130 Buenos Aires Place, Washington DC 20521-3130
telephone: [54] (11) 5777-4533
FAX: [54] (11) 5777-4240
email address and website:
Buenosairespublicaffairs@state.gov
https://ar.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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
9 July 1816 (from Spain)
National holiday
Revolution Day (May Revolution Day), 25 May (1810)
Flag
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)
Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol)
National color(s)
sky blue, white
National anthem(s)
title: "Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Vicente LOPEZ y PLANES/Jose Blas PARERA
history: 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: 12 (7 cultural, 5 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: 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
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)
$1.213 trillion (2024 est.)
$1.234 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.255 trillion (2022 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 29
Real GDP growth rate
-1.7% (2024 est.)
-1.6% (2023 est.)
5.3% (2022 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 205
Real GDP per capita
$26,500 (2024 est.)
$27,100 (2023 est.)
$27,600 (2022 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 88
GDP (official exchange rate)
$633.267 billion (2024 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
73.1% (2022 est.)
47.1% (2021 est.)
40.5% (2020 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 207
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 6% (2024 est.)
industry: 24% (2024 est.)
services: 53.4% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: agriculture 102; industry 99; services 129
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 68.1% (2024 est.)
government consumption: 15% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 15.8% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.1% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services: 15.3% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services: -12.8% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
maize, soybeans, sugarcane, wheat, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, beef, potatoes, chicken (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Industrial production growth rate
-7.2% (2024 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 186
Labor force
22.286 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 33
Unemployment rate
7.9% (2024 est.)
6.2% (2023 est.)
6.9% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 132
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 21.2% (2024 est.)
male: 19.8% (2024 est.)
female: 23% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 52
Population below poverty line
41.7% (2023 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
42.4 (2023 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 31
Average household expenditures
on food: 23.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 1.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.9% (2023 est.)
highest 10%: 31% (2023 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
0.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $115.69 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures: $139.037 billion (2023 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Taxes and other revenues
10% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 129
Current account balance
$6.285 billion (2024 est.)
-$20.956 billion (2023 est.)
-$4.055 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 34
Exports
$96.899 billion (2024 est.)
$82.947 billion (2023 est.)
$102.928 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 50
Exports - partners
Brazil 18%, USA 9%, Chile 8%, China 8%, India 4% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
soybean meal, corn, trucks, soybean oil, crude petroleum (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$79.999 billion (2024 est.)
$92.3 billion (2023 est.)
$97.399 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 51
Imports - partners
Brazil 23%, China 20%, USA 12%, Paraguay 5%, Germany 4% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
soybeans, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, natural gas, cars (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$29.56 billion (2024 est.)
$23.081 billion (2023 est.)
$44.795 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 57
Debt - external
$74.362 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 13
Exchange rates
Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
914.695 (2024 est.)
296.258 (2023 est.)
130.617 (2022 est.)
94.991 (2021 est.)
70.539 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 47.631 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 114.667 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 31 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 11.393 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 27.027 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: installed generating capacity 29; consumption 31; exports 94; imports 20; transmission/distribution losses 195
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 61.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 2.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 11% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 16.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors: 3 (2025)
Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 1 (2025)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 1.64GW (2025 est.)
Percent of total electricity production: 6.3% (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 869,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 2.534 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 300 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 1.936 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 799.999 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 807,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 749,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.483 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 43.69 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 46.028 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 2.344 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 5.225 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 396.464 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 7.034 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 22
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 62.7 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 29
Broadcast media
one of South America's biggest media markets; dozens of TV networks, hundreds of radio stations, and more than 150 daily newspapers (2023)
Internet users
percent of population: 89% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 11.5 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 21
Transportation
Railways
total: 17,866 km (2018)
Merchant marine
total: 201 (2023)
by type: container ship 1, bulk carrier 1 general cargo 8, oil tanker 33, other 158
comparison ranking: total 66
Ports
total ports: 37 (2024)
large: 1
medium: 2
small: 10
very small: 24
ports with oil terminals: 19
key ports: 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
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: all federal police forces are under the Ministry of Security
Military expenditures
0.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
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
the inventory of Argentina's armed forces is a mix of domestically-produced and mostly older 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 (2024)
Military service age and obligation
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 (2024)
note: as of 2024, women comprised nearly 20% of the active duty military
Military deployments
325 Cyprus (UNFICYP) (2024)
Military - note
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
Argentina National Space Activities Commission (Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, CONAE; formed in 1991); CONAE’s predecessor was the National Commission for Space Research (Comisión Nacional de Investigaciones Espaciales, CNIE; formed in 1960) (2025)
Space launch site(s)
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
has a long 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; has a national space plan; 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, which includes efforts to design, build, and launch reusable SLVs (2025)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Hizballah
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: 9,175 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 74 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 34 (2024 est.)