Country Profile: Argentina

Argentina is a large, diverse nation located in southern South America, bordered by Chile and Uruguay, with a coastline along the South Atlantic Ocean. The country has a population of approximately 45.4 million people, primarily concentrated in urban areas like Buenos Aires. Argentina boasts a mixed economy characterized by rich natural resources and a significant agricultural sector, yet faces challenges such as high public debt and inflation. Governed as a presidential republic, Argentina has experienced a tumultuous political history, alternating between democratic governance and military rule.

Geography

Argentina is the second-largest country in South America, featuring a varied geography that includes the rich plains of the Pampas, the rugged Andes mountains, and the flat plateaus of Patagonia. The country has a total area of approximately 2.78 million square kilometers, with significant natural resources like fertile land, minerals, and hydrocarbon deposits. It experiences a mostly temperate climate, although arid conditions are found in the southeast and subantarctic climates in the southwest.

4,989 km of coastline.
6,962 m high Cerro Aconcagua, the tallest mountain in South America.
11,968 km of land borders with neighboring countries.

People and Society

Argentina's population stands at around 45 million, with a majority of individuals of European descent, primarily of Spanish and Italian heritage. The nation is predominantly Roman Catholic, yet has a vibrant mix of religions and a rich cultural heritage. Urbanization is significant, with approximately 92.5% of the population living in urban areas, particularly in the capital, Buenos Aires, which is home to over 15 million people.

99.1% literacy rate (2020).
34.6 years median age (2025).
23.3% of the population is aged 0-14 years.

Economy

Argentina has a large, diversified economy that faces persistent financial challenges such as high inflation and significant public debt. In 2024, the real GDP is estimated at $1.213 trillion, with primary sectors including agriculture, industry, and services. Key exports include soybeans, corn, and crude petroleum, while imports largely consist of machinery and chemicals.

7.9% unemployment rate (2024 estimate).
41.7% of the population was living below the poverty line as of 2023.
15% of GDP derived from government consumption (2024).

Government

Argentina operates as a presidential republic, with the President serving as both the head of state and head of government. The current president, Javier Milei, assumed office in December 2023. The political structure includes a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, with voting age set at 18 years. The country’s legal system is based on civil law derived from Western European traditions.

The capital city is Buenos Aires.
23 provinces and 1 autonomous city.
18-70 years of age eligibility for suffrage.

Military and Security

Argentina's military comprises the Army, Navy, and Air Force, focusing on territorial defense and various internal missions. The country has an active-duty force of about 75,000 personnel. Military expenditures are approximately 0.6% of GDP, reflecting the nation’s efforts to modernize and maintain its defense capabilities while participating in international peacekeeping missions.

230 personnel deployed in Cyprus (UNFICYP) as of 2025.
Voluntary military service for ages 18-24; conscription was suspended in 1995.

Energy

Argentina has achieved 100% electrification, largely relying on a mix of fossil fuels, hydro, and wind energy. In 2023, the total installed electricity generation capacity reached 47.631 million kW. The energy sector is transitioning to incorporate more renewable resources.

61.5% of electricity generation capacity comes from fossil fuels (2023).
807,000 bbl/day total petroleum production (2023).

Environment

The country faces various environmental issues, including deforestation, soil degradation, and air pollution. Argentina is a participant in numerous international environmental agreements aimed at promoting sustainability and addressing climate change.

17.2% of land is forested as of 2023.
42.4% of land is allocated to agriculture.

Transportation

Argentina's transportation network features 764 airports and 17,866 km of railway lines. The country maintains a diverse merchant marine fleet alongside a significant number of ports, facilitating both domestic and international trade.

201 vessels in the merchant marine fleet.
37 total ports, including large and small operational facilities.

Communications

With a high level of telecommunications infrastructure, Argentina has 64.1 million mobile cellular subscriptions and over 89% of the population using the Internet. The media landscape is vibrant, with numerous television networks, radio stations, and newspapers.

11.5 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
6.42 million fixed-line telephone subscriptions.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	45,418,098 (2025 est.)
Area	2,780,400 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.213 trillion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	7.9% (2024 est.)
Inflation Rate	73.1% (2022 est.)
Birth Rate	10.47 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	78.8 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	99.1% (2020 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	78.496 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Rural Population Percentage	7.5% (2023 est.)