Updated
Overview
Argentina has 24% more people than Saudi Arabia: 45.85 million against 36.97 million (2025).
Saudi Arabia's economy is about 85% larger than Argentina's, at $1.28T versus $683.10B.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $683.10B | Higher: $1.28T | 2025 | $633.27B / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 4.4% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 2.1% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | Higher: $1,799 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 36.97 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.5 yrs | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 171 Mt | 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 282,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (4.4% for Argentina, 4.5% for Saudi Arabia).
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 2.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Saudi Arabia is the younger society: median age 29.6 versus 32.9 years.
Life expectancy is 1.4 years longer in Saudi Arabia (79.0 vs 77.5).
Internet adoption is higher in Saudi Arabia (100% vs 90% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 29% larger than Saudi Arabia: 2,780,400 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 19 times as much on defence as Argentina: $80.33B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Saudi Arabia fields the larger armed forces: 282,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so Argentina is 29% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Saudi Arabia?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $14,898. Total GDP tells the same story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).