Updated
Overview
Argentina has 3.8 times the population of Belgium: 45.85 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $683.10B for Argentina and $725.47B for Belgium.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $683.10B | Higher: $725.47B | 2025 | $633.27B / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 2.5% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | Higher: $7,044 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.5 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 24,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Argentina is growing much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 2.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the far younger society: median age 32.9 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 4.8 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 77.5).
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 91 times the size of Belgium: 2,780,400 km² versus 30,528 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 16.
Military
Belgium spends 2.0 times as much on defence as Argentina: $8.56B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Belgium?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Argentina is 91 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Belgium?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $14,898. Total GDP tells the same story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Belgium?
- Belgium spends more: $8.56B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).