Updated
Overview
Argentina has 8.4 times the population of Ireland: 45.85 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $683.10B for Argentina and $721.70B for Ireland.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $683.10B | Higher: $721.70B | 2025 | $633.27B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 4.4% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 2.2% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | Higher: $5,697 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $2,579 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.5 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 4.4%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 2.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Ireland: $5,697 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the younger society: median age 32.9 versus 39.0 years.
Life expectancy is 5.5 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 77.5).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 65%.
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 40 times the size of Ireland: 2,780,400 km² versus 70,273 km².
Ireland is far more densely settled: 78 people per km² against 16.
Military
Argentina spends 3.1 times as much on defence as Ireland: $4.18B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Ireland?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Argentina is 40 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Ireland?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $14,898. Total GDP tells the same story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Ireland?
- Argentina spends more: $4.18B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).