Countries, Compared

Argentina

Argentina is a country in South America.

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Argentina is a country in South America. This article gives you the stable classification facts you can cite, then shows you how to verify the figures that change, population, currency, government, economy, and travel requirements, without freezing data that goes out of date. The distinction matters: statistical classification is a matter of international convention, while political and territorial claims are contested and require attribution.

Classification facts

The United Nations Statistics Division assigns Argentina the following stable identifiers in its M49 standard (reference: UN M49 overview):

  • UN M49 code: 032
  • ISO alpha-2: AR
  • ISO alpha-3: ARG
  • UN region: Americas
  • UN subregion: Latin America and the Caribbean
  • UN member state: Yes (founding member, 1945)

The World Bank lists the capital as Buenos Aires. Note the distinction: the UN M49 classification is a statistical geography used for data collection, not a political or territorial claim. It does not define sovereignty, disputed territories, or diplomatic recognition. For questions about territorial claims, consult the relevant foreign ministry or UN documentation.

Country basics

Argentina is a federal republic with 23 provinces and an autonomous city (Buenos Aires) as its capital district. Spanish is the de facto national language. The currency is the Argentine peso (ARS). The country is a founding member of the United Nations and a member of the World Bank, IMF, and G20. Land borders: Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay. Argentina claims the Falkland Islands/Malvinas and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; the UK administers them. Argentina also claims a sector of Antarctica. These are sovereignty disputes, not statistical categories. The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is .ar, administered by the National Registry of Internet Domains under the Secretariat of Communications. Time zone: Argentina is UTC−03:00 year-round (no DST since 2009).

Government and economy

  • Government type: presidential republic (source: CIA World Factbook, 2025).
  • Head of state and head of government: President.
  • Legislature: bicameral National Congress (Senate and Chamber of Deputies).
  • GDP per capita (PPP): source World Bank, reference year 2023, current US international dollars. Use the World Bank API for the latest figure.
  • Income classification: World Bank income classification, current year; verify via API.

Population, language and culture

Population figures change between censuses and projections. The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs publishes annual population estimates and projections, and the World Bank publishes its own series via its country API. Always record the reference year and the agency producing the estimate. Argentina’s national census is conducted by INDEC (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos), the official national statistical office; census counts are the primary source, while UN and World Bank figures are modelled projections between censuses.

What the numbers show

  • Population (2024, UN estimate): 45.7 million (mid-year estimate; UN World Population Prospects 2024 revision). Definition: de facto population.
  • Median age (2024, UN WPP): 32 years.
  • Age structure (2024, UN WPP): 0-14 years 22%, 15-64 years 64%, 65+ years 14%.
  • Urban population share: 92% (2023, World Bank).
  • Most populous city: Buenos Aires metropolitan area.
  • Life expectancy at birth (2022, World Bank): 75.4 years.

Language and cultural context

Spanish is the overwhelmingly dominant tongue of government, media, and education, but it is not constitutionally declared official. The 1994 Constitution does not declare an official language, and the 2010 census recorded no official language declaration. Indigenous languages, including Quechua, Mapudungun, and Guaraní, have co-official status in some provinces. Italian and other immigrant languages are also spoken. Language data is collected by national censuses and UNESCO’s language databases; treat self-reported figures as indicative, not precise. Cultural context, literacy statistics, and education indicators come from UNESCO and national sources; see the Country basics guide for how to read those numbers.

How to verify changing figures

Do not freeze a single number. For the latest population estimate, use the World Bank country API or consult the UN Population Division. INDEC remains the primary source for Argentina’s census and survey data. Reference: Ethnologue (2025), and national census documentation.

Currency

  • Official currency: Argentine peso (ARS).
  • Source: ISO 4217 via IANA registry.
  • Exchange rate: volatile; check xe.com or your bank for the current rate.

Core facts at a glance

Use this table as a starting point, not a permanent record. Every figure is a changing estimate.

  • Capital: Buenos Aires
  • De facto language: Spanish (not constitutionally declared official)
  • Government: Federal presidential republic
  • Currency: Argentine peso (ARS)
  • Area: 2,780,400 km² (includes claimed Antarctic territory)
  • Gini index (World Bank, 2022): 42.3
  • Internet penetration (ITU, 2023): 88.4% of individuals
  • CO₂ emissions per capita (2021): 4.0 metric tons (World Bank)