Argentina profile

Demography and Health

Argentina in 2024 has a population just under 46 million people (45,696,159), placing it among the larger nations by population in the region. The country exhibits a relatively high life expectancy for the income group, at 77.4 years (2023), and a modest crude birth rate of 11.1 per 1,000 people paired with a death rate of 7.67 per 1,000, indicating gradual population aging over time. Under-5 mortality is still a concern at about 9.6 per 1,000 live births (2023), signaling persistent gaps in child health and services relative to top performers; however, a comprehensive health system is supported by a current health expenditure of 9.86% of GDP (2022) and a substantial per-capita health expenditure when measured in purchasing power parity terms (about 1,555 international US$ per person, 2022). Argentina also benefits from a relatively dense physician workforce, with 4.08 physicians per 1,000 people (2022), and 3.34 hospital beds per 1,000 people (2021), indicating good access to medical care by international standards. Internet penetration is high at 89.2% (2023), which supports digital health initiatives and information access across the population. Yet, social outcomes are uneven: the poverty headcount stands at 41.7% of the population in 2023, underscoring significant distributional challenges and the need for inclusive social protection and employment programs. Net migration is positive, with 3,454 people (2024) entering the country net, suggesting some pull for labor and opportunities despite domestic constraints. On nutrition, the prevalence of undernourishment is relatively low at 3.2% (2022), indicating that basic caloric needs are being met for most of the population, though regional disparities likely persist. Overall, Argentina shows a health system capacity and human capital strength that coexist with persistent poverty and regional inequalities, implying that health gains may be unevenly shared unless accompanied by broad-based economic and social reforms.

Economy

Argentina’s economy presents a mixed picture. GDP per capita in current US$ stands at about 13,858 (2024), with a GDP per capita at PPP around 30,176 international US$ (2024), indicating strong relative living standards when adjusted for price differences but still below the top tier of economies. Poverty remains a major challenge, with 41.7% of the population living below national poverty lines (2023), a signal of deep income inequality and the sensitivity of social outcomes to macroeconomic volatility. The country’s export orientation is moderate, with exports of goods and services accounting for 15.3% of GDP (2024) and imports at 12.8% of GDP (2024), suggesting a relatively open but not export-driven growth model. Argentina’s technology tilt is modest but notable: high-technology exports amount to 689.7 million current US$ (2023), and R&D expenditure is 0.549% of GDP (2022), with 406 resident patent applications in 2021. This points to a developing innovation base that, while improving, still lags behind more technologically advanced peers. The economy benefits from a positive current account balance of about 0.993% of GDP (2024), signaling a modest external surplus that can help stabilize external financing conditions, but the country remains sensitive to global commodity cycles and capital flows. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 1.81% of GDP (2024), indicating a moderate level of investor confidence, though reforms to governance and institutions could help attract higher inward investment. On the climate front, total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 8.03 t CO2e (2023), and the country presents opportunities to deepen energy efficiency and transition toward renewables, which is relevant for long-run sustainability and competitiveness. The combination of significant poverty, relatively low export intensity, and moderate investment inflows suggests that macroeconomic stabilization, structural reforms, and targeted social policies are essential to unlock higher and more inclusive growth.

Trade and Investment

Argentina’s trade and investment profile features a balanced but modest open economy with room for growth. Exports of goods and services as a share of GDP are 15.3% (2024), while imports equal 12.8% (2024), indicating a limited but essential participation in global trade that supports domestic consumption and production. The logistics and trade infrastructure quality is relatively strong by regional standards, with the Logistics Performance Index rating 2.8 (out of 5) in 2022 and ranking 18, signaling reasonably capable trade-related infrastructure though still with scope for efficiency gains. Domestic investment signals are modest but positive: foreign direct investment net inflows amount to 1.81% of GDP (2024), and there is a positive current account balance of 0.993% of GDP (2024), which can bolster confidence and exchange-rate stability. The technology and innovation dimension of trade is modest: high-technology exports total 689.7 million US$ (2023), and 406 patent applications were filed by residents in 2021, suggesting a developing yet meaningful base for knowledge-based competitiveness. The country’s research and development intensity remains relatively low at 0.549% of GDP (2022), pointing to a growth opportunity for knowledge-based exports and higher-value manufacturing. Taken together, Argentina’s trade and investment profile reflects a country with open trade links and some FDI contributions, but with structural constraints in productivity, governance, and innovation that cap the potential for rapid, broad-based export-led growth.

Governance and Institutions

Argentina’s governance indicators portray a challenging environment for policy credibility and business confidence. The political stability and absence of violence/terrorism index is negative at -0.128 (2023), and regulatory quality is -0.483, with rule of law at -0.411, control of corruption at -0.361, and government effectiveness at -0.378. These values collectively point to governance weaknesses, particularly in regulatory quality and the judicial/governance framework, which can hamper consistency in policy implementation, contract enforcement, and public service quality. Such governance dynamics can contribute to macroeconomic volatility, increase perceived policy risk for investors, and constrain efficient allocation of resources across public and private sectors. In parallel, Argentina’s strong human capital indicators (e.g., high physician density and internet penetration) exist alongside governance gaps, underscoring that health and innovation resources alone cannot guarantee sustained development without credible institutions and transparent governance. Addressing corruption, enhancing regulatory quality, strengthening the rule of law, and improving government effectiveness would likely improve the investment climate, boost productivity, and support long-term socio-economic resilience.

Infrastructure and Technology

Argentina demonstrates a capable but uneven infrastructure and technology profile. Health infrastructure is solid, with 3.34 hospital beds per 1,000 people (2021) and 4.08 physicians per 1,000 people (2022), indicating strong clinical coverage and potential for advanced medical services. The country also shows robust digital connectivity, with 89.2% of the population using the Internet in 2023, enabling broader access to digital services and e-health. The logistics environment is comparatively favorable, as evidenced by a logistics index of 2.8 (2022), ranking 18 for quality of trade and transport infrastructure, suggesting adequate but improvable logistics efficiency. Innovation activity, however, remains moderate: research and development expenditure stands at 0.549% of GDP (2022), and resident patent filings are 406 (2021), with high-technology exports totaling 689.7 million US$ (2023). The nation’s ability to translate scientific potential into competitive exports depends on both increased R&D investment and stronger intellectual property frameworks. Infrastructural and technological strengths, such as healthcare capacity, digital penetration, and logistics readiness, provide a solid base for growth, but require continued investment to raise productivity, reduce cost, and bolster resilience against external shocks.

Environment and Sustainability

Argentina faces environmental and sustainability considerations that interlock with its development trajectory. Level of water stress—freshwater withdrawal as a share of available freshwater resources—stood at 10.5% in 2021, ranking 92, indicating moderate water resource pressure that will intensify with population and agricultural demand if not managed sustainably. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita are 8.03 t CO2e (2023), placing Argentina in a mid-to-upper range for the region in terms of climate impact, while renewable energy consumption accounts for 9.2% of total final energy consumption (2021), signaling substantial potential for growth in cleaner energy sources. The country’s environmental performance is also linked to health and agricultural sectors; with undernutrition prevalence at 3.2% (2022) and a high share of population living in poverty (41.7% in 2023), social dimensions must be integrated into environmental policy to ensure just and inclusive climate action. While unemployment and industrial activity pose challenges, Argentina’s environmental indicators show both vulnerability to resource constraints and opportunities for a transition toward greater energy efficiency, renewable deployment, and climate-smart growth that can support long-term sustainability and economic diversification.