Updated
Overview
Argentina has 14 times the population of Uruguay: 45.85 million people against 3.38 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is 8.0 times the size of Uruguay's, at $683.10B versus $85.35B.
Per person, Uruguay is the wealthier of the two: $25,216 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | Uruguay | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $683.10B | $85.35B | 2025 | $633.27B / $80.96B |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $25,216 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 4.7% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 4.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 7.1% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 66 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | Higher: $1,192 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $297 | $46 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | $8.94 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 3.38 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 3.45 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 36.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.5 yrs | Higher: 78.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 92% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 181,034 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 18.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 171 Mt | Lower: 7.97 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 2.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $1.74B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 22,000 | 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 4.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 66 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Uruguay: $1,192 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the younger society: median age 32.9 versus 36.4 years.
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 15 times the size of Uruguay: 2,780,400 km² versus 181,034 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Argentina spends 2.4 times as much on defence as Uruguay: $4.18B versus $1.74B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Uruguay carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than Uruguay?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while Uruguay covers 181,034 km², so Argentina is 15 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or Uruguay?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 3.38 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than Uruguay?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Uruguay is richer: $25,216 against $14,898. Total GDP tells a different story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $85.35B for Uruguay.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or Uruguay?
- Argentina spends more: $4.18B versus $1.74B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).