Updated
Overview
Brazil has 4.6 times the population of Argentina: 212.81 million people against 45.85 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 3.3 times the size of Argentina's, at $2.28T versus $683.10B.
Per person, Argentina is the wealthier of the two: $14,898 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $683.10B | 2025 | $2.18T / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.3% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 5.0% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 4.4% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.0% | 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $607 | Higher: $811 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $297 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $4.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 103,000 | 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 2.3%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 5.0%.
Average monthly earnings favour Argentina: $811 against $607 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 34.8 (Brazil) and 32.9 (Argentina).
Life expectancy is 1.5 years longer in Argentina (77.5 vs 76.0).
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 3.1 times the size of Argentina: 8,515,767 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Brazil spends 5.0 times as much on defence as Argentina: $20.95B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Argentina?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Brazil is 3.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Argentina?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Argentina is richer: $14,898 against $10,713. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Argentina?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).