Key economic indicators of Argentina – Statistics & Facts for 2023
Post available in: 
English
Argentina is considered a developing nation of upper-middle-income. It is the third largest economy in Latin America and, as its membership in the G20 and prospective accession to the OECD reflect, it stands among the world’s major economies. Argentine GDP was estimated at 488.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2021, considerably far from the GDP of its regional competitors, Brazil and Mexico. Nevertheless, since the GDP is not adjusted for a country’s population size, GDP per capita is better suited for country-to-country comparisons. Looking at this indicator, the picture changes considerably, as Argentina falls to a 5th position in the Latin American region, 11th if the Caribbean is also considered, with a GDP per capita of 10,729 U.S. dollars.
Argentina counts with large and diversified agriculture and industry sectors, which account for about half of the national GDP and 30 percent of the employment. Across its 2.8 million square kilometres of territory, Argentina is privileged with access to vast natural resources. This natural richness has allowed the country to develop major industries in automobiles, agriculture, textiles, and mining. Nevertheless, this has also made the country develop high levels of commodity dependence, like most of its South American neighbours, and is therefore vulnerable to international economic shocks and commodity price fluctuations.
A country rich in natural resources
Considered an agricultural giant, the Spanish-speaking nation is one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of soy, beef, corn, yerba mate and wheat, amongst other products. Visibly, agriculture is one of the pillars of Argentina’s exports, as reflected in the volume of trade and diversity of its trade partners, ranging from neighbouring country Brazil to Algeria, or the Asian superpower, China. In 2020 alone, Argentina exported approximately 2.2 billion U.S. dollars worth of soybean, one of the country’s main commodities. Argentina ranks as one of the leading soybean-producing and exporting countries worldwide. However, while allowing for great economic profits, this shift towards extractivism and agribusiness has negative social and environmental consequences. For instance, the so-called “sojization” of Argentina’s agriculture has resulted in soil degradation, expansion of monocultures, replacement of food crops, displacement of farmers and indigenous people, and deforestation.
Argentina’s abundant natural resources mean it has great potential in the renewable energy sector as well, which it has yet to explore. Despite the fall in biofuel production experienced since 2017, it remains as one of the major biofuel producers worldwide, only surpassed by Brazil in the South American region. Moreover, the manufacturing sector — the largest industry in Argentina — while diversified, is also closely linked to this richness in natural resources, as food processing (of soybean oil, sunflower oil, wine, etc.) has a paramount role in the sector.
Inflation and public debt are the main challenges
Over the past decades, inflation — even hyperinflation in the late 80s — and public debt have become chronic issues in the South American nation. The economic stagnation, or even recession, experienced in recent years has not contributed to alleviating the situation. The government has resorted on several occasions to printing money to cover its fiscal deficit, especially given its temporary loss of access to international credit markets. This has only served to further boost inflation, which exceeded 40 per cent since the beginning of 2021, even surpassing 60 per cent by mid-2022. The sectors most affected by recent price increases have been clothing and footwear, restaurants and hotels, and food and non-alcoholic beverages.
The country’s inability to manage its finances has led to a long history of loans and defaults. The corralito, three sovereign defaults, massive debt restructurings, and the largest bailout of the IMF’s history are some of the country’s economic milestones in the 21st century. Since joining the IMF in 1956, Argentina has received over 20 financial-support programs from the institution. In 2021, even though the nation still owed 40 billion dollars to the IMF from the 2018 bailout, it took another 44 billion dollar loan, which added to the already substantial external debt. On the bright side, there seem to be some improvements: as of 2021, the national debt in relation to the Argentine GDP decreased to 80.6 per cent, the lowest level since 2017, and so did the size of the government’s debt held in foreign currency.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Source: Published by Statista Research Department, Jul 21, 2023
Contact the Gateway to South America team to learn about the best investment opportunities in the region. The company is a benchmark for foreign investors wishing to invest in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay, providing expert advice on property acquisition and investment tours.
The Gateway Team – When You are Serious About Property
www.gatewaytosouthamerica.com
About Gateway to South America
Established in 2006, Gateway to South America began as a single office in Buenos Aires. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant regional network, providing professional real estate marketing services to clients in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. If you enjoy reading our news site, please share it on your social media!
Post available in: English
