Updated
Overview
Argentina has 3.6 times the population of Bolivia: 45.85 million people against 12.58 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is 11 times the size of Bolivia's, at $683.10B versus $64.77B.
Per person, Argentina is the wealthier of the two: $14,898 against $5,148 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Bolivia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $683.10B | $64.77B | 2025 | $633.27B / $49.67B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $14,898 | $5,148 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | -1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 19.5% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 5.1% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 40 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $811 | $462 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $362 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 12.58 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 12.44 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 25.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 2.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.5 yrs | 68.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 72% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 90% | 80% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 1,098,581 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 11.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 29 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 2.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $655.13M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 1.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 71,000 | 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 grew while the other economy contracted: 4.4% against -1.6%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 19.5%.
Average monthly earnings favour Argentina: $811 against $462 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Bolivia is the younger society: median age 25.2 versus 32.9 years.
Life expectancy is 8.8 years longer in Argentina (77.5 vs 68.7).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 72%.
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 2.5 times the size of Bolivia: 2,780,400 km² versus 1,098,581 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Argentina spends 6.4 times as much on defence as Bolivia: $4.18B versus $655.13M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 71,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Bolivia?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Bolivia covers 1,098,581 km², so Argentina is 2.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Bolivia?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 12.58 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Bolivia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Argentina is richer: $14,898 against $5,148. Total GDP tells the same story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $64.77B for Bolivia.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Bolivia?
- Argentina spends more: $4.18B versus $655.13M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).