Updated
Overview
Argentina has 2.3 times the population of Chile: 45.85 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is about 90% larger than Chile's, at $683.10B versus $357.37B.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $683.10B | $357.37B | 2025 | $633.27B / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 4.2% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 7.1% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | Higher: $1,024 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.5 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 114,000 | 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 faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 2.5%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 4.2%.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the younger society: median age 32.9 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 3.8 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 77.5).
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 3.7 times the size of Chile: 2,780,400 km² versus 756,102 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Chile spends 22% more on defence than Argentina: $5.11B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Chile carries the heavier military burden: 1.6% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Chile fields the larger armed forces: 114,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Chile?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Argentina is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Chile?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $14,898. Total GDP tells a different story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Chile?
- Chile spends more: $5.11B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).