Updated
Overview
Argentina has 6.5 times the population of Paraguay: 45.85 million people against 7.01 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is 14 times the size of Paraguay's, at $683.10B versus $49.28B.
Per person, Argentina is the wealthier of the two: $14,898 against $7,027 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Paraguay | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $683.10B | $49.28B | 2025 | $633.27B / $44.46B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $14,898 | $7,027 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 4.4% | Higher: 6.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 4.0% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 3.8% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 4.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 35 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $811 | $443 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $370 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 7.01 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 7.60 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 27.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 2.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.5 yrs | 74.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 90% | 82% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 406,752 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 7.94 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 1.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $413.97M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 29,000 | 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
Paraguay is growing faster: 6.6% annual GDP growth versus 4.4%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 4.0%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Paraguay: a price level of 35 versus 46 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Argentina: $811 against $443 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Paraguay is the younger society: median age 27.0 versus 32.9 years.
Life expectancy is 3.6 years longer in Argentina (77.5 vs 74.0).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 6.8 times the size of Paraguay: 2,780,400 km² versus 406,752 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Argentina spends 10 times as much on defence as Paraguay: $4.18B versus $413.97M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 29,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Paraguay?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Paraguay covers 406,752 km², so Argentina is 6.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Paraguay?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 7.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Paraguay?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Argentina is richer: $14,898 against $7,027. Total GDP tells the same story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $49.28B for Paraguay.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Paraguay?
- Argentina spends more: $4.18B versus $413.97M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).