Argentina

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 11.5 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2023 est.)

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 country code

.ar

Internet users

percent of population: 89% (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 6.42 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2024 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 64.1 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 140 (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

maize, soybeans, sugarcane, wheat, milk, sunflower seeds, barley, beef, potatoes, chicken (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Average household expenditures

on food: 23.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

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

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

Debt - external

$74.362 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

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

Exchange rates

Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar - 914.695 (2024 est.) 296.258 (2023 est.) 130.617 (2022 est.) 94.991 (2021 est.) 70.539 (2020 est.)

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

Exports - commodities

soybean meal, corn, trucks, soybean oil, crude petroleum (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Brazil 18%, USA 9%, Chile 8%, China 8%, India 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP (official exchange rate)

$633.267 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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

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

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

42.4 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

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

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

Imports - commodities

soybeans, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, natural gas, cars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

Brazil 23%, China 20%, USA 12%, Paraguay 5%, Germany 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

-7.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

73.1% (2022 est.) 47.1% (2021 est.) 40.5% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

22.286 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Population below poverty line

41.7% (2023 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt

55% of GDP (2016 est.)

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

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

Real GDP per capita

$26,500 (2024 est.) $27,100 (2023 est.) $27,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

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

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

Taxes and other revenues

10% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

7.9% (2024 est.) 6.2% (2023 est.) 6.9% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

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

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.)

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.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

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.)

Energy consumption per capita

78.496 million Btu/person (2023 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.)

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.)

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.)

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.)

Climate

mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

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

Land use

agricultural land: 42.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 14.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 27.3% (2023 est.) forest: 17.2% (2023 est.) other: 40.4% (2023 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.)

Particulate matter emissions

12 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

876.24 billion cubic meters (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.)

Urbanization

urban population: 92.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 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.)

Area

total : 2,780,400 sq km land: 2,736,690 sq km water: 43,710 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

Climate

mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Coastline

4,989 km

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 Carb n (located between Puerto San Juli n and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) -105 m mean elevation: 595 m

Geographic coordinates

34 00 S, 64 00 W

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 Carb n is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere; shares Iguaz Falls, the world's largest waterfalls system, with Brazil

Irrigated land

13,910 sq km (2018)

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

Land use

agricultural land: 42.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 14.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 27.3% (2023 est.) forest: 17.2% (2023 est.) other: 40.4% (2023 est.)

Location

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

Major aquifers

Guaran Aquifer System

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 Mart n (shared with Chile) - 1,010 sq km; Lago Colhu 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)

R o de la Plata/Paran 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: Paran (2,582,704 sq km)

Map references

South America

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

Natural hazards

San Miguel de Tucum n 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, Planch n-Peteroa, San Jos , Tromen, Tupungatito, and Viedma

Natural resources

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

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

Terrain

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

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 Atl ntico Sur (Tierra del Fuego - Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands), Tucuman note: the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years

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

Country name

conventional long form: Argentine Republic conventional short form: Argentina local long form: Rep blica 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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Peter LAMELAS (since 4 November 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/

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

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 Tom s 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 Tom s MASSA 44.3% 2019: Alberto ngel FERN NDEZ elected president; percent of vote - Alberto Angel FERN NDEZ (TODOS) 48.1%, Mauricio MACRI (PRO) 40.4%, Roberto LAVAGNA (independent) 6.2%, other 5.3% expected date of next election: October 2027

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

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

9 July 1816 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

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

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

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 (25) 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

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 color(s)

sky blue, white

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); Iguaz National Park (n); Cueva de las Manos (c); Vald s Pen nsula (n); Ischigualasto/Talampaya National Parks (n); Jesuit Block and Estancias of C rdoba (c); Quebrada de Humahuaca (c); Qhapaq an/Andean Road System (c)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

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

Political parties

Avanza Libertad or AL Civic Coalition ARI or CC-ARI Consenso Federal (Federal Consensus) or CF Frente C vico 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 Generaci n por un Encuentro Nacional (Generation for a National Encounter) or GEN Hacemos por C rdoba (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 R o Negro (Together We Are Rio Negro) or JSRN Partido Justicialista (Justicialist Party) or PJ La C mpora La Libertad Avanza (The Liberty Advances) or LLA Movimiento Popular Neuquino (Neuqu n 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 Dem crata (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) Uni n C vica Radical (Radical Civic Union) or UCR Uni n por la Patria (Union for the Homeland) or UP (formerly Frente de Todos (Everyone's Front) or FdT) (includes FR, La C mpora, 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

Suffrage

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

Background

In 1816, the United Provinces of the R o 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 PER N -- 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 PER N 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 N stor KIRCHNER (2003-07) and his spouse Cristina FERN NDEZ 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 FERN NDEZ and Vice President Cristina FERN NDEZ 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.

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' tat 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)

Military and security forces

Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic (Fuerzas Armadas de la Rep blica 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: Gendarmer a Nacional Argentina (National Gendarmerie), Coast Guard (Prefectura Naval) (2025) note: all federal police forces are under the Ministry of Security

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 deployments

230 Cyprus (UNFICYP) (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

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 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 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 (2025) 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

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)

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.)

Birth rate

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

Child marriage

women married by age 15: 2.4% (2020) women married by age 18: 15.5% (2020)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2% (2018 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

49.7% (2020 est.)

Death rate

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

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 49.9 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 30.3 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 19.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 5.1 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 99.8% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.2% of population (2022 est.) total: (2020 est.) NA

Education expenditure

5.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 14% national budget (2023 est.)

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.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.69 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

9.7% of GDP (2021) 15.2% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

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

Infant mortality rate

total: 7.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Quechua, Guarani, Mapudungun) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de informaci n b sica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 78.8 years (2024 est.) male: 75.8 years female: 82 years

Literacy

total population: 99.1% (2020 est.) male: 99.1% (2020 est.) female: 99.2% (2020 est.)

Major urban areas - population

15.490 million BUENOS AIRES (capital), 1.612 million C rdoba, 1.594 million Rosario, 1.226 million Mendoza, 1.027 million San Miguel de Tucum n, 914,000 La Plata (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

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

Median age

total: 34.6 years (2025 est.) male: 32.1 years female: 34.6 years

Nationality

noun: Argentine(s) adjective: Argentine

Net migration rate

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

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

28.3% (2016)

Physician density

5.11 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Population

total: 45,418,098 (2025 est.) male: 22,535,980 female: 22,882,118

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

Population growth rate

0.26% (2025 est.)

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.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 19 years (2022 est.) male: 17 years (2022 est.) female: 21 years (2022 est.)

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.)

Tobacco use

total: 21.9% (2025 est.) male: 26.9% (2025 est.) female: 17.1% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.43 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

urban population: 92.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.97% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Key space-program milestones

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

Space agency/agencies

Argentina National Space Activities Commission (Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, CONAE; formed in 1991) (2025) note: CONAE s predecessor was the National Commission for Space Research (Comisi n Nacional de Investigaciones Espaciales, CNIE; formed in 1960)

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 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)

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 9,175 (2024 est.) IDPs: 74 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 34 (2024 est.)

Airports

764 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

LV

Heliports

148 (2025)

Merchant marine

total: 201 (2023) by type: container ship 1, bulk carrier 1 general cargo 8, oil tanker 33, other 158

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

Railways

total: 17,866 km (2018)