Updated
Overview
Argentina has 2.5 times the population of the Netherlands: 45.85 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 2.0 times the size of Argentina's, at $1.33T versus $683.10B.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $683.10B | Higher: $1.33T | 2025 | $633.27B / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 3.3% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | Higher: $6,402 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $2,538 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.5 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 41,000 | 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 1.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 3.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the far younger society: median age 32.9 versus 41.5 years.
Life expectancy is 4.4 years longer in the Netherlands (82.0 vs 77.5).
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 66 times the size of the Netherlands: 2,780,400 km² versus 41,850 km².
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 16.
Military
The Netherlands spends 5.5 times as much on defence as Argentina: $23.18B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the Netherlands carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than the Netherlands?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Argentina is 66 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or the Netherlands?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $14,898. Total GDP tells the same story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or the Netherlands?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).