Updated
Overview
Italy has 28% more people than Argentina: 58.92 million against 45.85 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 3.7 times the size of Argentina's, at $2.55T versus $683.10B.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $683.10B | 2025 | $2.37T / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $43,309 | $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.5% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 1.0% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.4% | 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $3,994 | $811 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $297 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.1 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $4.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 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 much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the far younger society: median age 32.9 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 6.4 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 77.5).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Italy is 89% smaller than Argentina: 301,336 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
Italy is far more densely settled: 196 people per km² against 16.
Military
Italy spends 9.1 times as much on defence as Argentina: $37.96B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Italy carries the heavier military burden: 1.6% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than Argentina?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Argentina is 9.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or Argentina?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $14,898. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.55T for Italy versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or Argentina?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).