Country Profile: Argentina

Argentina is a country in Southern South America, bordered by the South Atlantic Ocean, Chile, and Uruguay. It features diverse landscapes, including the vast Pampas plains and the rugged Andes mountains, which shape its geographic and cultural identity. With a population of approximately 46.99 million, the country has a rich history influenced by European immigration and internal conflicts, leading to a complex political landscape. The economy is large and diversified, focusing on agriculture and resource exports, yet it faces challenges such as inflation and high public debt.

Geography

Argentina is the second-largest country in South America, covering an area of 2,780,400 sq km. It boasts a varied climate, ranging from temperate in most regions to arid in the southeast and subantarctic in the southwest. The terrain includes rich agricultural plains, flat plateaus, and the Andes mountains along the western border, where Cerro Aconcagua stands as the highest peak in South America at 6,962 m. The country has significant natural resources, including fertile land, minerals, and hydrocarbons.

4,989 km: Length of the coastline.
11,968 km: Total land boundaries with neighboring countries.
43.4%: Percentage of land used for agriculture as of 2022.

People and Society

Argentina has an estimated population of 46,994,384 as of 2024, with a diverse demographic primarily composed of European (mostly Spanish and Italian) descent along with Indigenous and African ancestry. The majority of the population is urbanized, with 92.5% living in cities. Spanish is the official language, and the country exhibits a variety of religious practices, predominantly Roman Catholic. Argentina faces social challenges, including poverty, with 41.7% of the population living below the national poverty line as of 2023.

33.3 years: Median age of the population in 2024.
15.2 births/1,000 population: Birth rate as of 2024.
78.8 years: Life expectancy at birth in 2024.

Economy

Argentina possesses a large and diverse economy characterized by significant agricultural exports and a resource-rich environment. However, it faces challenges including high inflation, public debt, and a contraction in GDP, with a forecasted growth rate of -1.7% in 2024. The economy's structure is dominated by services, followed by industry and agriculture. Recent political shifts have led to calls for economic reforms aimed at stabilizing the economy.

$633.267 billion: GDP at official exchange rate in 2024.
7.9%: Unemployment rate projected for 2024.
$96.899 billion: Expected exports in 2024.

Government

Argentina is a presidential republic with a history of political turbulence. The current president, Javier Milei, took office on 10 December 2023 following a contentious election process. The government is structured with a bicameral legislature and some degree of legal continuity since the latest constitution became effective in 1853. Argentina has a system of universal and compulsory suffrage.

18-70 years: Age range for compulsory voting.
23 provinces and 1 autonomous city: Political administrative divisions.
0.6% of GDP: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP projected for 2024.

Military and Security

Argentina's military encompasses the Army, Navy, and Air Force, totaling approximately 75,000 active personnel. The country focuses on territorial defense, counter-narcotics, and participation in international peacekeeping initiatives. Military expenditures remain modest, reflecting the government's priorities amidst economic constraints.

18-24 years: Age range for voluntary military service.
0.6% of GDP: Estimated military expenditure for 2024.
325: Argentine military personnel deployed in Cyprus for UN peacekeeping operations.

Energy

Argentina's energy sector is characterized by diverse sources including fossil fuels, nuclear, and renewable energy. Electricity access is universal, with 100% of the population having access as of 2022. The country also emphasizes the development of nuclear energy, with operational reactors contributing to energy generation.

114.667 billion kWh: Total electricity consumed in 2023.
61.5%: Share of installed electricity capacity from fossil fuels in 2023.
3: Operational nuclear reactors as of 2025.

Environment

Argentina faces numerous environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements, reflecting its commitment to sustainable practices. Urbanization is high, with potential impacts on local ecosystems and natural resources.

43.4%: Agricultural land usage in 2022.
12.04 micrograms per cubic meter: Particulate matter emissions in 2019.
876.24 billion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources as of 2020.

Transportation

Argentina boasts an extensive transportation network comprising roads, railways, and air travel. With a total of 764 airports and 17,866 km of railways, the country maintains robust civil transport systems. The merchant marine includes various types of vessels, supporting both domestic and international trade.

201: Total number of vessels in the merchant marine as of 2023.
37: Total ports as of 2024.
148: Number of heliports as of 2025.

Communications

Argentina has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure, characterized by high mobile phone penetration and growing internet usage. Approximately 89% of the population are internet users, with significant growth in broadband subscriptions.

62.7 million: Total mobile cellular subscriptions in 2023.
11.5 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions as of 2023.
7.034 million: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions in 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	46,994,384	Estimated for 2024
Area	2,780,400 sq km
GDP (official exchange rate)	$633.267 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment rate	7.9%	Projected for 2024
Birth rate	15.2 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2024
Life expectancy at birth	78.8 years	Estimated for 2024
Total energy consumption per capita	78.496 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Military expenditures	0.6% of GDP	Projected for 2024
Urban population	92.5%	Of total population as of 2023
Agricultural land usage	43.4%	Estimated for 2022