2016 Edition

Background

In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay went their separate ways, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe, with Italy and Spain providing the largest percentage of newcomers from 1860 to 1930. Up until about the mid-20th century, much of Argentina's history was dominated by periods of internal political conflict between Federalists and Unitarians and between civilian and military factions. After World War II, an era of Peronist populism and direct and indirect military interference in subsequent governments was followed by a military junta that took power in 1976. Democracy returned in 1983 after a failed bid to seize the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) by force, and has persisted despite numerous challenges, the most formidable of which was a severe economic crisis in 2001-02 that led to violent public protests and the successive resignations of several presidents.

Area

2,780,400 sq km 2,736,690 sq km 43,710 sq km

land

2,736,690 sq km

total

2,780,400 sq km

water

43,710 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than three-tenths the size of the US

Climate

mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest

Coastline

4,989 km

Elevation

595 m lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz) highest point: Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza; highest point in South America)

elevation extremes

lowest point: Laguna del Carbon -105 m (located between Puerto San Julian and Comandante Luis Piedra Buena in the province of Santa Cruz)

highest point

Cerro Aconcagua 6,960 m (located in the northwestern corner of the province of Mendoza; highest point in South America)

mean elevation

595 m

Environment - current issues

environmental problems (urban and rural) typical of an industrializing economy such as deforestation, soil degradation, desertification, air pollution, and water pollution Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets

note

Argentina is a world leader in setting voluntary greenhouse gas targets

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling Marine Life Conservation

party to

Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Marine Life Conservation

Geographic coordinates

34 00 S, 64 00 W

Geography - note

second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere

Irrigated land

23,600 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

11,968 km Bolivia 942 km, Brazil 1,263 km, Chile 6,691 km, Paraguay 2,531 km, Uruguay 541 km

border countries (5)

Bolivia 942 km, Brazil 1,263 km, Chile 6,691 km, Paraguay 2,531 km, Uruguay 541 km

total

11,968 km

Land use

53.9% arable land 13.9%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 39.6% 10.7% 35.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

53.9%

forest

10.7%

other

35.4% (2011 est.)

Location

Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Chile and Uruguay

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding in some areas volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border; Copahue (elev. 2,997 m) last erupted in 2000; other historically active volcanoes include Llullaillaco, Maipo, Planchon-Peteroa, San Jose, Tromen, Tupungatito, and Viedma

volcanism

volcanic activity in the Andes Mountains along the Chilean border; Copahue (elev. 2,997 m) last erupted in 2000; other historically active volcanoes include Llullaillaco, Maipo, Planchon-Peteroa, San Jose, Tromen, Tupungatito, and Viedma

Natural resources

fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium, arable land

Population - distribution

one-third of the population lives in Buenos Aires; pockets of agglomeration occur throughout the northern and central parts of the country; Patagonia to the south remains sparsely populated

Terrain

rich plains of the Pampas in northern half, flat to rolling plateau of Patagonia in south, rugged Andes along western border

Age structure

24.72% (male 5,590,165/female 5,259,163) 15.43% (male 3,461,288/female 3,312,056) 39.24% (male 8,593,500/female 8,627,846) 9.14% (male 1,948,179/female 2,064,463) 11.46% (male 2,104,830/female 2,925,258) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

24.72% (male 5,590,165/female 5,259,163)

15-24 years

15.43% (male 3,461,288/female 3,312,056)

25-54 years

39.24% (male 8,593,500/female 8,627,846)

55-64 years

9.14% (male 1,948,179/female 2,064,463)

65 years and over

11.46% (male 2,104,830/female 2,925,258) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

17 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

435,252 7% data represent children ages 5-13 (2003 est.)

note

data represent children ages 5-13 (2003 est.)

percentage

7%

total number

435,252

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.3% (2005)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

78.9% (2004/05)

Death rate

7.5 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Demographic profile

Argentina's population continues to grow but at a slower rate because of its steadily declining birth rate. Argentina's fertility decline began earlier than in the rest of Latin America, occurring most rapidly between the early 20th century and the 1950s and then becoming more gradual. Life expectancy has been improving, most notably among the young and the poor. While the population under age 15 is shrinking, the youth cohort - ages 15-24 - is the largest in Argentina's history and will continue to bolster the working-age population. If this large working-age population is well-educated and gainfully employed, Argentina is likely to experience an economic boost and possibly higher per capita savings and investment. Although literacy and primary school enrollment are nearly universal, grade repetition is problematic and secondary school completion is low. Both of these issues vary widely by region and socioeconomic group. Argentina has been primarily a country of immigration for most of its history, welcoming European immigrants after its independence in the 19th century and attracting especially large numbers from Spain and Italy. European immigration diminished in the 1950s, when Argentina's military dictatorships tightened immigration rules and European economies rebounded. Regional migration, however, continued to supply low-skilled workers and today it accounts for three-quarters of Argentina's immigrant population. The first waves of highly skilled Argentine emigrant workers headed mainly to the United States and Spain in the 1960s and 1970s. The 2008 European economic crisis drove the return migration of some Argentinean and other Latin American nationals, as well as the immigration of Europeans to South America, where Argentina was a key recipient.

Dependency ratios

56.5% 39.4% 17.1% 5.8% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

17.1%

potential support ratio

5.8% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

56.5%

youth dependency ratio

39.4%

Drinking water source

urban: 99% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.1% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1% of population

Education expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

white (mostly Spanish and Italian) 97%, mestizo (mixed white and Amerindian ancestry), Amerindian, or other non-white groups 3%

Health expenditures

4.8% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.39% (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,300 (2015 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

109,700 (2015 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.7 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

10.1 deaths/1,000 live births 11 deaths/1,000 live births 9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

11 deaths/1,000 live births

total

10.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua)

Life expectancy at birth

77.1 years 74 years 80.4 years (2016 est.)

female

80.4 years (2016 est.)

male

74 years

total population

77.1 years

Literacy

age 10 and over can read and write 98.1% 98% 98.1% (2015 est.)

definition

age 10 and over can read and write

female

98.1% (2015 est.)

male

98%

total population

98.1%

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

BUENOS AIRES (capital) 15.18 million; Cordoba 1.511 million; Rosario 1.381 million; Mendoza 1.009 million; San Miguel de Tucuman 910,000; La Plata 846,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

52 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

31.5 years 30.3 years 32.7 years (2016 est.)

female

32.7 years (2016 est.)

male

30.3 years

total

31.5 years

Nationality

Argentine(s) Argentine

adjective

Argentine

noun

Argentine(s)

Net migration rate

-0.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

26.5% (2014)

Physicians density

3.86 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

43,886,748 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

one-third of the population lives in Buenos Aires; pockets of agglomeration occur throughout the northern and central parts of the country; Patagonia to the south remains sparsely populated

Population growth rate

0.93% (2016 est.)

Religions

nominally Roman Catholic 92% (less than 20% practicing), Protestant 2%, Jewish 2%, other 4%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96.2% of population rural: 98.3% of population total: 96.4% of population urban: 3.8% of population rural: 1.7% of population total: 3.6% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1.7% of population

total

3.6% of population (2015 est.)

urban

3.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

17 years 16 years 18 years (2013)

female

18 years (2013)

male

16 years

total

17 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.71 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.71 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.28 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

18.8% 16.7% 22.4% (2014 est.)

female

22.4% (2014 est.)

male

16.7%

total

18.8%

Urbanization

91.8% of total population (2015) 1.04% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.04% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

91.8% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

23 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia) and 1 autonomous city*; Buenos Aires, Catamarca, Chaco, Chubut, Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires*, Cordoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, Jujuy, La Pampa, La Rioja, Mendoza, Misiones, Neuquen, Rio Negro, Salta, San Juan, San Luis, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe, Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego - Antartida e Islas del Atlantico Sur (Tierra del Fuego), Tucuman the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica

note

the US does not recognize any claims to Antarctica

Capital

Buenos Aires 34 36 S, 58 22 W UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

34 36 S, 58 22 W

name

Buenos Aires

time difference

UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes yes 2 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

2 years

Constitution

several previous; latest effective 11 May 1853; amended many times, last in 1994 (2016)

Country name

Argentine Republic Argentina Republica Argentina Argentina originally the area was referred to as Tierra Argentina, i.e., "Land beside the Silvery River" or "silvery land," which referred to the massive estuary in the east of the country, the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver); over time the name shortened to simply Argentina or "silvery"

conventional long form

Argentine Republic

conventional short form

Argentina

etymology

originally the area was referred to as Tierra Argentina, i.e., "Land beside the Silvery River" or "silvery land," which referred to the massive estuary in the east of the country, the Rio de la Plata (River of Silver); over time the name shortened to simply Argentina or "silvery"

local long form

Republica Argentina

local short form

Argentina

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Noah Bryson MAMET (since 16 January 2015) Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires international mail: use embassy street address; APO address: US Embassy Buenos Aires, Unit 4334, APO AA 34034 [54] (11) 5777-4533 [54] (11) 5777-4240

chief of mission

Ambassador Noah Bryson MAMET (since 16 January 2015)

embassy

Avenida Colombia 4300, C1425GMN Buenos Aires

FAX

[54] (11) 5777-4240

mailing address

international mail: use embassy street address; APO address: US Embassy Buenos Aires, Unit 4334, APO AA 34034

telephone

[54] (11) 5777-4533

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Martin LOUSTEAU (since 28 January 2016) 1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 238-6400 [1] (202) 332-3171 Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, DC

chancery

1600 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador Martin LOUSTEAU (since 28 January 2016)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington, DC

FAX

[1] (202) 332-3171

telephone

[1] (202) 238-6400

Executive branch

President Mauricio MACRI (since 10 December 2015); Vice President Gabriela MICHETTI (since 10 December 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Mauricio MACRI (since 10 December 2015); Vice President Gabriela MICHETTI (since 10 December 2015) Cabinet appointed by the president president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held in 2 rounds on 25 October and 22 November 2015 (next to be held in October 2019) Mauricio MACRI elected president; percent of vote: first-round results - Daniel SCIOLI (PJ) 37.1%, Mauricio MACRI (PRO) 34.2%, Sergio MASSA (FR/PJ) 21.4%, other 7.3%; second-round results - Mauricio MACRI (PRO) 51.4%, Daniel SCIOLI (PJ) 48.6%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Mauricio MACRI (since 10 December 2015); Vice President Gabriela MICHETTI (since 10 December 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Mauricio MACRI elected president; percent of vote: first-round results - Daniel SCIOLI (PJ) 37.1%, Mauricio MACRI (PRO) 34.2%, Sergio MASSA (FR/PJ) 21.4%, other 7.3%; second-round results - Mauricio MACRI (PRO) 51.4%, Daniel SCIOLI (PJ) 48.6%

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held in 2 rounds on 25 October and 22 November 2015 (next to be held in October 2019)

head of government

President Mauricio MACRI (since 10 December 2015); Vice President Gabriela MICHETTI (since 10 December 2015)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of light blue (top), white, and light blue; centered in the white band is a radiant yellow sun with a human face known as the Sun of May; the colors represent the clear skies and snow of the Andes; the sun symbol commemorates the appearance of the sun through cloudy skies on 25 May 1810 during the first mass demonstration in favor of independence; the sun features are those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

9 July 1816 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BCIE, BIS, CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, FATF, G-15, G-20, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of the court president, vice-president, and 5 judges) judges nominated by the president and approved by the Senate; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 75 federal level appellate, district, and territorial courts; provincial level supreme, appellate, and first instance courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Corte Suprema (consists of the court president, vice-president, and 5 judges)

judge selection and term of office

judges nominated by the president and approved by the Senate; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 75

subordinate courts

federal level appellate, district, and territorial courts; provincial level supreme, appellate, and first instance courts

Legal system

civil law system based on West European legal systems; note - in 2014, Congress passed government-backed reform to the civil code that will go into effect in 2016

Legislative branch

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership elected every 2 years) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 2 years) Senate - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held October 2017); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held October 2017) Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - Cambiemos 12, FpV 8, PF 2, Progresistas 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 84, Cambiemos 21, FR and allies 8, Progresistas 9, Federal Peronism 3, PP 3, other 2; note - as of 1 February 2016, the total seats per party of bloc in the legislature is as follows: Senate - FpV 117, UCR/CC 50, Pro 41, PJ 36, PS/GEN 9, other 4; Chamber of Deputies - FpV 42, UCR/CC 11, PJ 10, Pro 4, PS/GEN 2, other 3

description

bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Senate (72 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership elected every 2 years) and the Chamber of Deputies (257 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 2 years)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - Cambiemos 12, FpV 8, PF 2, Progresistas 2; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by bloc or party - NA; seats by bloc or party - FpV 84, Cambiemos 21, FR and allies 8, Progresistas 9, Federal Peronism 3, PP 3, other 2; note - as of 1 February 2016, the total seats per party of bloc in the legislature is as follows: Senate - FpV 117, UCR/CC 50, Pro 41, PJ 36, PS/GEN 9, other 4; Chamber of Deputies - FpV 42, UCR/CC 11, PJ 10, Pro 4, PS/GEN 2, other 3

elections

Senate - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held October 2017); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 25 October 2015 (next to be held October 2017)

National anthem

"Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem) Vicente LOPEZ y PLANES/Jose Blas PARERA adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain

lyrics/music

Vicente LOPEZ y PLANES/Jose Blas PARERA

name

"Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem)

note

adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain

National holiday

Revolution Day, 25 May (1810)

National symbol(s)

Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol); national colors: light blue, white

Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol); national colors

light blue, white

Political parties and leaders

Cambiemos (a coalition composed of CC, PRO, and UCR) [Mauricio MACRI] Civic Coalition or CC (a coalition loosely affiliated with Elisa CARRIO) Dissident Peronists (PJ Disidente) or Federal Peronism (a right-wing faction of the Justicialist Party opposed to the Kirchners) [Ramon PUERTA] Front for Victory or FpV (left-wing faction of PJ) [Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER] Peronist (or Justicialist) Party or PJ [Eduardo FELLNER] Popular Path or PP Progresistas [Margarita STOLBIZER] Radical Civic Union or UCR [Ernesto SANZ] Republican Proposal or PRO [Mauricio MACRI] Socialist Party or PS [Hermes BINNER] Renewal Front (Frente Renovador) or FR [Sergio MASSA] numerous provincial parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Argentine Association of Pharmaceutical Labs or CILFA Argentine Industrial Union (manufacturers' association) Argentine Rural Confederation or CRA (small to medium landowners' association) Argentine Rural Society (large landowners' association) Blue and White CGT (dissident CGT labor confederation) Central of Argentine Workers or CTA (a union for employed and unemployed workers) General Confederation of Labor or CGT (Peronist-leaning umbrella labor organization) Roman Catholic Church business organizations; Peronist-dominated labor movement; Piquetero groups (popular protest organizations that can be either pro or anti-government); students

other

business organizations; Peronist-dominated labor movement; Piquetero groups (popular protest organizations that can be either pro or anti-government); students

Suffrage

18-70 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-17 years of age - optional for national elections

Agriculture - products

sunflower seeds, lemons, soybeans, grapes, corn, tobacco, peanuts, tea, wheat; livestock

Budget

$143.3 billion $173.9 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$173.9 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$143.3 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Commercial bank prime lending rate

24.92% (31 December 2015 est.) 24.01% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$16.11 billion (2015 est.) -$7.441 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$136.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $140.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

45.8 (2009)

Economy - overview

Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt, and capital flight. A severe depression, growing public and external indebtedness, and an unprecedented bank run culminated in 2001 in the most serious economic, social, and political crisis in the country's turbulent history. Interim President Adolfo RODRIGUEZ SAA declared a default - at the time the largest ever - on the government's foreign debt in December of that year, and abruptly resigned only a few days after taking office. His successor, Eduardo DUHALDE, announced an end to the peso's decade-long 1-to-1 peg to the US dollar in early 2002. The economy bottomed out that year, with real GDP 18% smaller than in 1998 and almost 60% of Argentines below the poverty line. Real GDP rebounded to grow by an average 8.5% annually over the subsequent six years, taking advantage of previously idled industrial capacity and labor, an audacious debt restructuring and reduced debt burden, excellent international financial conditions, and expansionary monetary and fiscal policies. Inflation also increased, however, during the administration of President Nestor KIRCHNER, which responded with price restraints on businesses, as well as export taxes and restraints, and beginning in 2007, with understating inflation data. Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER succeeded her husband as president in late 2007, and the rapid economic growth of previous years began to slow sharply the following year as government policies held back exports and the world economy fell into recession. The economy in 2010 rebounded strongly from the 2009 recession, but has slowed since late 2011 even as the government continued to rely on expansionary fiscal and monetary policies, which have kept inflation in the double digits. The government has taken multiple steps in recent years to deal with these problems. It expanded state intervention in the economy throughout 2012. In May 2012 the Congress approved the nationalization of the oil company YPF from Spain's Repsol. The government expanded formal and informal measures to restrict imports during the year, including a requirement for pre-registration and pre-approval of all imports. In July 2012, the government also further tightened currency controls in an effort to bolster foreign reserves and stem capital flight. In October 2013, the government settled long standing international arbitral disputes dating to before and following the 2001 Argentine financial crisis. During 2014, the government continued its expansionary fiscal and monetary policies and foreign exchange and imports controls. Between 2011 and 2013, Central Bank foreign reserves had dropped $21.3 billion from a high of $52.7 billion. In July 2014, Argentina and China agreed on an $11 billion currency swap; the Argentine Central Bank has received the equivalent of $3.2 billion in Chinese yuan, which it counts as international reserves. In 2014, the government also took some measures to mend ties with the international financial community, including engaging with the IMF to improve its economic data reporting, reaching a compensation agreement with Repsol for the expropriation of YPF, and agreeing to pay $9.7 billion in arrears to the Paris Club over five years, including $606 million owed to the US. In July 2014, Argentina made its first payment to Paris Club creditors. At the same time, the Argentine Government in July 2014 entered a technical default on its external debt after it failed to reach an agreement with holdout creditors in the US. The FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER government rejected repeated attempts by the court to encourage a negotiated solution with holdouts. Throughout much of 2015, negotiations to repay holdout creditors stalled. The government’s delay in reaching a settlement and the continuation of interventionist policies contributed to high inflation and a prolonged recession. After being elected into office on December 10, President MACRI has taken significant steps to liberalize the Argentine economy. His administration lifted capital controls; floated the peso, negotiated debt payments with holdout bond creditors, and removed export controls on some commodities.

Exchange rates

Argentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar - 9.2332 (2015 est.) 8.0753 (2014 est.) 8.0753 (2013 est.) 4.54 (2012 est.) 4.1101 (2011 est.)

Exports

$56.76 billion (2015 est.) $68.41 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

soybeans and derivatives, petroleum and gas, vehicles, corn, wheat

Exports - partners

Brazil 17%, China 8.6%, US 5.9% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

65.8% 18.2% 15.6% 1.1% 11.1% -11.9% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

11.1%

government consumption

18.2%

household consumption

65.8%

imports of goods and services

-11.9% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

15.6%

investment in inventories

1.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

10.9% 29.3% 59.7% (2015 est.)

agriculture

10.9%

industry

29.3%

services

59.7% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$22,600 (2015 est.) $22,500 (2014 est.) $22,700 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.2% (2015 est.) 0.5% (2014 est.) 2.9% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$585.6 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$972 billion (2015 est.) $960.4 billion (2014 est.) $956.1 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

14.3% of GDP (2015 est.) 17.1% of GDP (2014 est.) 16.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.5% 32.3% (2010 est.)

highest 10%

32.3% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

1.5%

Imports

$57.18 billion (2015 est.) $62.43 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum and natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics

Imports - partners

Brazil 22.4%, US 16.3%, China 15.5%, Germany 5.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

1.1% based on private sector estimates (2015 est.)

note

based on private sector estimates (2015 est.)

Industries

food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

26.5% (2015 est.) 38.1% (2014 est.) data are derived from private estimates

note

data are derived from private estimates

Labor force

17.47 million urban areas only (2015 est.)

note

urban areas only (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

5% 23% 72% (2009 est.)

agriculture

5%

industry

23%

services

72% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$34.24 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $43.58 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $63.91 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

30% data are based on private estimates (2010 est.)

note

data are based on private estimates (2010 est.)

Public debt

50.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 41% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$25.52 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $31.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$150.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $138.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$37.03 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $36.15 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$94.19 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $82.22 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$182.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $183.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$52.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $62.88 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.6% (2015 est.) 7.3% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

202 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

37,690 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

7,460 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

532,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

2.4 billion bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

116 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

200 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

68.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

26% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

2.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.4% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

10 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

36 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

126 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

1,500,000 96.4% 99.2% 96% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

96% (2013)

electrification - total population

96.4%

electrification - urban areas

99.2%

population without electricity

1,500,000

Natural gas - consumption

47.23 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

70 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

11.9 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

35.4 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

332.1 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

751,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

63,060 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

109,900 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

670,900 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Broadcast media

government owns a TV station and a radio network; more than 2 dozen TV stations and hundreds of privately owned radio stations; high rate of cable TV subscription usage (2007)

Internet country code

.ar

Internet users

30.142 million 69.4% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

69.4% (July 2015 est.)

total

30.142 million

Telephone system

in 1998 Argentina opened its telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment encouraging the growth of modern telecommunications technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is improving microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; fixed-line teledensity is increasing gradually and mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing rapidly; broadband Internet services are gaining ground country code - 54; landing point for the Atlantis-2, UNISUR, South America-1, and South American Crossing/Latin American Nautilus submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and US; satellite earth stations - 112; 2 international gateways near Buenos Aires (2011)

domestic

microwave radio relay, fiber-optic cable, and a domestic satellite system with 40 earth stations serve the trunk network; fixed-line teledensity is increasing gradually and mobile-cellular subscribership is increasing rapidly; broadband Internet services are gaining ground

general assessment

in 1998 Argentina opened its telecommunications market to competition and foreign investment encouraging the growth of modern telecommunications technology; fiber-optic cable trunk lines are being installed between all major cities; major networks are entirely digital and the availability of telephone service is improving

international

country code - 54; landing point for the Atlantis-2, UNISUR, South America-1, and South American Crossing/Latin American Nautilus submarine cable systems that provide links to Europe, Africa, South and Central America, and US; satellite earth stations - 112; 2 international gateways near Buenos Aires (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

10,119,920 23 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

23 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

10,119,920

Telephones - mobile cellular

60.664 million 140 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

140 (July 2015 est.)

total

60.664 million

Airports

1,138 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

10 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

65

2,438 to 3,047 m

29

914 to 1,523 m

53

over 3,047 m

4

total

161

under 914 m

10 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

448 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

43

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

484

over 3,047 m

1

total

977

under 914 m

448 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

LV (2016)

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 1, cargo 5, chemical tanker 6, container 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 4 14 (Brazil 1, Chile 6, Spain 3, Taiwan 2, UK 2) 15 (Liberia 1, Panama 5, Paraguay 5, Uruguay 1, unknown 3) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 1, cargo 5, chemical tanker 6, container 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 18, refrigerated cargo 4

foreign-owned

14 (Brazil 1, Chile 6, Spain 3, Taiwan 2, UK 2)

registered in other countries

15 (Liberia 1, Panama 5, Paraguay 5, Uruguay 1, unknown 3) (2010)

total

36

National air transport system

14,245,183 243,772,567 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

243,772,567 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

14,245,183

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

107

number of registered air carriers

6

Pipelines

gas 29,930 km; liquid petroleum gas 41 km; oil 6,248 km; refined products 3,631 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Ushuaia Arroyo Seco, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin (Parana) Buenos Aires (1,851,701) Bahia Blanca

container port(s) (TEUs)

Buenos Aires (1,851,701)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Bahia Blanca

major seaport(s)

Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, La Plata, Punta Colorada, Ushuaia

river port(s)

Arroyo Seco, Rosario, San Lorenzo-San Martin (Parana)

Railways

36,917.4 km 26,391 km 1.676-m gauge (149 km electrified) 2,745.1 km 1.435-m gauge (41.1 km electrified) 7,523.3 km 1.000-m gauge; 258 km 0.750-m gauge (2014)

broad gauge

26,391 km 1.676-m gauge (149 km electrified)

narrow gauge

7,523.3 km 1.000-m gauge; 258 km 0.750-m gauge (2014)

standard gauge

2,745.1 km 1.435-m gauge (41.1 km electrified)

total

36,917.4 km

Roadways

231,374 km 69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways) 161,962 km (2004)

paved

69,412 km (includes 734 km of expressways)

total

231,374 km

unpaved

161,962 km (2004)

Waterways

11,000 km (2012)

Military - note

the Argentine military is a well-organized force constrained by the country's prolonged economic hardship; the country has recently experienced a strong recovery, and the military is implementing a modernization plan aimed at making the ground forces lighter and more responsive (2008)

Military branches

Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino), Navy of the Argentine Republic (Armada Republica; includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.91% of GDP (2012) 0.9% of GDP (2011) 0.91% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-24 years of age for voluntary military service (18-21 requires parental consent); no conscription; if the number of volunteers fails to meet the quota of recruits for a particular year, Congress can authorize the conscription of citizens turning 18 that year for a period not exceeding one year (2012)

Disputes - international

Argentina continues to assert its claims to the UK-administered Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands in its constitution, forcibly occupying the Falklands in 1982, but in 1995 agreed to no longer seek settlement by force; UK continues to reject Argentine requests for sovereignty talks; territorial claim in Antarctica partially overlaps UK and Chilean claims; uncontested dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime; the joint boundary commission, established by Chile and Argentina in 2001 has yet to map and demarcate the delimited boundary in the inhospitable Andean Southern Ice Field (Campo de Hielo Sur); contraband smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal narcotic trafficking are problems in the porous areas of the border with Bolivia

Illicit drugs

a transshipment country for cocaine headed for Europe, heroin headed for the US, and ephedrine and pseudoephedrine headed for Mexico; some money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; law enforcement corruption; a source for precursor chemicals; increasing domestic consumption of drugs in urban centers, especially cocaine base and synthetic drugs (2008)