Updated
Overview
Argentina has 4.2 times the population of Portugal: 45.85 million people against 10.80 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is 2.0 times the size of Portugal's, at $683.10B versus $346.64B.
Per person, Portugal is the wealthier of the two: $32,082 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $683.10B | $346.64B | 2025 | $633.27B / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 2.3% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | Higher: $1,426 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $1,147 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.5 yrs | Higher: 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 90% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 52,000 | 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 1.9%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 2.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Portugal: $1,426 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the far younger society: median age 32.9 versus 46.9 years.
Life expectancy is 4.8 years longer in Portugal (82.4 vs 77.5).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 61%.
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 30 times the size of Portugal: 2,780,400 km² versus 92,090 km².
Portugal is far more densely settled: 117 people per km² against 16.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $4.18B (Argentina) and $4.64B (Portugal).
Relative to its economy, Portugal carries the heavier military burden: 1.5% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Portugal?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so Argentina is 30 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Portugal?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Portugal is richer: $32,082 against $14,898. Total GDP tells a different story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Portugal?
- Portugal spends more: $4.64B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).