Updated
Overview
Argentina has 5.0 times the population of Switzerland: 45.85 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is about 55% larger than Argentina's, at $1.04T versus $683.10B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $683.10B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $633.27B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 0.2% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.5 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 20,000 | 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 much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 1.3%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the far younger society: median age 32.9 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.9 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 77.5).
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 67 times the size of Switzerland: 2,780,400 km² versus 41,284 km².
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 16.
Military
Switzerland spends about 60% more on defence than Argentina: $6.72B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Switzerland?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Argentina is 67 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Switzerland?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $14,898. Total GDP tells the same story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Switzerland?
- Switzerland spends more: $6.72B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).