Macroscope
All countries

Argentina

Latin America and the Caribbean

All indicators of the Macroscope base for Argentina, with sources. Below: what past UN and IMF releases projected and what actually happened.

Population
45.5M
persons, 1 July, 2023
Births
413k
births per year, 2024
Total fertility rate
1.19
children per woman, 2024
Internet users
89.7
% of population, 2024
Mobile cellular subscriptions
140.2
per 100 people, 2024
GDP per capita, PPP
27,847
constant 2021 international $, 2025
Urban population
92.4
% of population, 2025

What the data shows

Computed with the same code as the observations under the main chart and in the API (get_insights). Moving together in time does not prove a cause.

How the indicators changed

  • Fertility (TFR): 3.16 in 1950 → 1.19 in 2024 (−62%). Peak: 3.36 in 1977; the latest value is 65% lower. Thresholds: below 2.1 since 2018, below 1.5 since 2024. The trend broke around 1981 and 2017: 0 → −0.03 → −0.13 a year.
  • Births: 443k in 1950 → 413k in 2024 (−7%). Peak: 775k in 2014; the latest value is 47% lower. The trend broke around 1984 and 2016: +8.41k → +1.59k → −41.6k a year.
  • Population: 17M in 1950 → 45.5M in 2023 (×2.7). The trend broke around 2017: change slowed down (+442k → +184k a year).
  • Internet: 0% in 1990 → 89.7% in 2024 (+90 pp). Thresholds: above 10% since 2002, above 50% since 2011. Fastest growth in 2008–2013: 28.1% → 59.9%.
  • Urban share: 71.7% in 1960 → 92.4% in 2025 (+21 pp). Threshold: above 75% since 1965. The trend broke around 1970 and 1994: +0.72 → +0.39 → +0.14 a year.
  • GDP per person (PPP): 17,007 PPP dollars in 1990 → 27,847 PPP dollars in 2025 (+64%). The trend broke around 2003 and 2011: +171 → +884 → −191 a year.
  • GDP growth: on average −0.9% in the 1980s, 4.3% in the 1990s, 2.6% in the 2000s, 1.4% in the 2010s, 1.3% in the 2020s. Lowest: −10.9% in 2002; highest: 10.5% in 1991.
  • Inflation: on average 8.6% in the 2000s, 22.1% in the 2010s, 93.0% in the 2020s. Lowest: −1.2% in 1999; highest: 219.9% in 2024.

What changed at the same time

  • The fastest decline of "Fertility (TFR)" was in 2014–2024: 2.39 → 1.19. Over the same years: births 775k → 413k; population 43M → 45.5M; internet 64.7% → 89.7%; urban share 91.4% → 92.3%; GDP per person (PPP) 28,201 PPP dollars → 26,772 PPP dollars; GDP growth −2.5% → −1.3%; inflation 10.6% → 219.9%.

How the indicators relate

  • Fertility (TFR) and internet (1990–2024, 34 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.89); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.26). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.
  • Fertility (TFR) and urban share (1960–2024, 65 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.73); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = −0.29). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.
  • Fertility (TFR) and GDP per person (PPP) (1990–2024, 35 years): levels are noticeably related, in opposite directions (r = −0.61); year-to-year changes are weakly related (r = 0.35).

Forecasts vs actual

  • Fertility (TFR): past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 11 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in none; median gap −1.6%.
  • The UN 2004 projection did not expect today's level (1.19, 2024) before its horizon ended (2047).
  • The UN 2019 projection did not expect today's level (1.19, 2024) before its horizon ended (2097).
  • Fertility (TFR): UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 1.54 (+29% vs 2024), 2100 — 1.58 (+33% vs 2024); low variant for 2100: 1.08.
  • Births: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 9 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 2; median gap −2.7%.
  • The UN 2004 projection did not expect today's level (413k, 2024) before its horizon ended (2047).
  • The UN 2008 projection did not expect today's level (413k, 2024) before its horizon ended (2047).
  • National statistics for 2024: 413k, 18% below the UN 2024 medium variant (507k) and below its 95% interval.
  • Births: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 457k (+11% vs 2024), 2100 — 291k (−30% vs 2024); low variant for 2100: 95.6k.
  • Population: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 7 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 5; median gap −1.2%.
  • The UN 1998 projection expected this level (45.5M) already around 2020: reality is 3 years behind it.
  • The UN 2022 projection expected this level (45.5M) already around 2022: reality is 1 year behind it.
  • Population: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 48.3M (+6% vs 2023), 2100 — 38.3M (−16% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 25.2M.
  • GDP growth: IMF next-year forecasts (36 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 1.6 pp below the forecast; below it in 67% of cases; typical error ±4.2 pp. The biggest miss was for 2020: IMF, April 2019 expected 2.2%, the outcome was −9.9%.
  • GDP growth: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 3.5%, 2028 — 3.8%, 2031 — 3%.
  • Inflation: IMF next-year forecasts (26 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 19.2 pp above the forecast; below it in 38% of cases; typical error ±24.2 pp. The biggest miss was for 2024: IMF, April 2023 expected 60.1%, the outcome was 219.9%.
  • Inflation: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 30.4%, 2028 — 9.6%, 2031 — 7.5%.

UN projections vs actual

Solid line: actual data, UN WPP 2024 estimates to 2023, then national statistics where comparable with the UN. Dashed: medium variants of past UN revisions. The table shows what each revision expected for the latest year (or five-year period) with actual data.

Population

persons, 1 July
Argentina: PopulationActual 2023: 45.5M30M35M40M45M50M19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 1998202325 years46.4M45.5M−1.9%
UN 2000202323 years46.4M45.5M−1.9%
UN 2002202321 years46.4M45.5M−1.8%
UN 2004202319 years45.5M45.5M+0.1%
UN 2006202317 years45.5M45.5M+0.1%
UN 2008202315 years45.3M45.5M+0.6%
UN 2010202313 years44.8M45.5M+1.7%
UN 2012202311 years44.8M45.5M+1.6%
UN 201520238 years46.7M45.5M−2.5%
UN 201720236 years46.7M45.5M−2.5%
UN 201920234 years46.4M45.5M−1.9%
UN 202220231 year45.8M45.5M−0.5%

Births

births per year
Argentina: BirthsActual 2024: 413k400k500k600k700k800k19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years704k683k−3.1%
UN 20002015–202018 years704k683k−3.1%
UN 20022015–202016 years701k683k−2.7%
UN 20042015–202014 years687k683k−0.6%
UN 20062015–202012 years687k683k−0.6%
UN 20082015–202010 years679k683k+0.5%
UN 20102015–20208 years679k683k+0.5%
UN 20122015–20206 years686k683k−0.5%
UN 20152015–20202 years750k683k−8.9%
UN 20172015–20200 years750k683k−9%
UN 202220242 years624k413k−33.7%

Total fertility rate

children per woman
Argentina: Total fertility rateActual 2024: 1.1911.522.533.519902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years2.102.07−1.6%
UN 20002015–202018 years2.102.07−1.6%
UN 20022015–202016 years2.102.07−1.6%
UN 20042015–202014 years2.082.07−0.6%
UN 20062015–202012 years2.082.07−0.6%
UN 20082015–202010 years2.082.07−0.6%
UN 20102015–20208 years2.102.07−1.4%
UN 20122015–20206 years2.122.07−2.5%
UN 20152015–20202 years2.272.07−8.9%
UN 20172015–20200 years2.272.07−8.9%
UN 202220242 years1.851.19−35.8%

IMF forecasts vs actual

Solid line: actual values from the latest IMF edition (data get revised, so we use the newest). Dashed: April editions, current year and five years ahead. The table covers next-year forecasts from all editions: mean error shows bias, mean absolute error shows accuracy.

Real GDP growth

% per year
Argentina: Real GDP growthActual 2025: 4.4−15−5515252000200520102015202020252030
  • Actual (IMF)
  • WEO, April editions
IndicatorForecastsMean errorMean absolute errorActual below forecast
Real GDP growth36−1.6 pp4.2 pp67%
Inflation26+19.2 pp24.2 pp38%
Unemployment rate29−0.2 pp1 pp59%
Government gross debt25+14.9 pp16.9 pp28%

All indicators

Demography

Population

45.5M persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Argentina: Population1950: 17M; 2023: 45.5M010M20M30M40M50M19501975200020252050

Population on 1 July. UN estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024; past UN revisions for forecast checks.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Births

413k births per year latest value, 2024

Argentina: Births1950: 443k; 2024: 413k0200k400k600k800k19501975200020252050

Live births per calendar year. UN WPP 2024 and national statistics (64 countries, 2015-2025).

Source: DEIS Estadisticas Vitales 2024 (Serie 5 No 68)

Total fertility rate

1.19 children per woman latest value, 2024

Argentina: Total fertility rate1950: 3.16; 2024: 1.190.001.002.003.004.0019501975200020252050

Average number of children a woman would have at the age-specific fertility rates of the year.

Source: DEIS Estadisticas Vitales 2024 (Serie 5 No 68)

Life expectancy at birth, women

79.9 years latest value, 2023

Argentina: Life expectancy at birth, women1950: 64.3; 2023: 79.902040608010019501975200020252050

Years a newborn girl would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, men

74.8 years latest value, 2023

Argentina: Life expectancy at birth, men1950: 58.7; 2023: 74.802040608019501975200020252050

Years a newborn boy would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Median age

32.1 years latest value, 2023

Argentina: Median age1950: 24.4; 2023: 32.10102030405019501975200020252050

Age that divides the population in two halves (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Mean age of mothers at childbirth

29.1 years latest value, 2023

Argentina: Mean age of mothers at childbirth1950: 28.2; 2023: 29.101020304019501975200020252050

Mean age of mothers at the birth of their children of any order (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Sex ratio at birth

105.1 boys per 100 girls latest value, 2023

Argentina: Sex ratio at birth1950: 104.7; 2023: 105.105010015019501975200020252050

Boys born per 100 girls born (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Net migration

4.13k persons per year latest value, 2023

Argentina: Net migration1950: 60.5k; 2023: 4.13k−40k10k60k110k19501975200020252050

Immigrants minus emigrants per year (UN estimate and projection).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Old-age dependency

20.8 persons 65+ per 100 aged 20-64 latest value, 2020

Argentina: Old-age dependency1950: 7.4; 2020: 20.801020304019501975200020252050

Persons aged 65+ per 100 aged 20-64, every five years (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Digitalisation

Internet users

89.7 % of population latest value, 2024

Argentina: Internet users1990: 0; 2024: 89.70204060801001990199520002005201020152020

Share of individuals who used the Internet in the last three months from any device. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Mobile cellular subscriptions

140.2 per 100 people latest value, 2024

Argentina: Mobile cellular subscriptions1960: 0; 2024: 140.20501001502001960197019801990200020102020

Active mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people; can exceed 100 when people have several SIM cards. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Fixed broadband subscriptions

26.1 subscriptions per 100 people latest value, 2024

Argentina: Fixed broadband subscriptions2001: 0.2; 2024: 26.101020302005201020152020

Fixed subscriptions to high-speed Internet (256 kbit/s or more) per 100 people. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Economy

GDP per capita, PPP

27,847 constant 2021 international $ latest value, 2025

Argentina: GDP per capita, PPP1990: 17,007; 2025: 27,847010,00020,00030,00019901995200020052010201520202025

Gross domestic product per person at purchasing power parity, constant 2021 international dollars (World Bank, ICP).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Real GDP growth

4.4 % per year latest value, 2025

Argentina: Real GDP growth1980: 0.7; 2025: 4.405101519801990200020102020

Annual change of GDP at constant prices. Actual values and forecasts from IMF WEO editions.

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Inflation

41.9 % per year, average latest value, 2025

Argentina: Inflation1998: 0.9; 2025: 41.9050100150200250200020052010201520202025

Change of the annual average consumer price index (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Government gross debt

80.3 % of GDP latest value, 2025

Argentina: Government gross debt1992: 25; 2025: 80.30501001502001995200020052010201520202025

General government gross debt, percent of GDP (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Unemployment rate

7.4 % of labour force latest value, 2025

Argentina: Unemployment rate1980: 3; 2025: 7.4051015202519801990200020102020

Unemployed as a share of the labour force (IMF WEO; national definitions).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

GDP per capita, US dollars

14,355 current US dollars latest value, 2025

Argentina: GDP per capita, US dollars1980: 8,361; 2025: 14,35505,00010,00015,00019801990200020102020

GDP per person in current US dollars at market exchange rates (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Society

Urban population

92.4 % of population latest value, 2025

Argentina: Urban population1960: 71.7; 2025: 92.40204060801001960197019801990200020102020

Share of people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices (World Bank, from UN World Urbanization Prospects).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Tertiary enrolment, women

140.2 % gross latest value, 2023

Argentina: Tertiary enrolment, women1970: 11.4; 2023: 140.2050100150197019801990200020102020

Women enrolled in tertiary education as a share of women in the five-year age group after secondary school; can exceed 100 (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Women with upper secondary education

58.6 % of women 25+ latest value, 2022

Argentina: Women with upper secondary education1997: 34.3; 2022: 58.6020406020002005201020152020

Share of women aged 25+ who completed at least upper secondary education (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Life expectancy at birth

77.5 years latest value, 2024

Argentina: Life expectancy at birth1960: 64.2; 2024: 77.50204060801960197019801990200020102020

Life expectancy at birth, both sexes (World Bank, from UN and national statistics).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Same region: Latin America and the Caribbean