Updated
Overview
Russia has 3.1 times the population of Argentina: 143.51 million people against 45.85 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 3.7 times the size of Argentina's, at $2.56T versus $683.10B.
Per person, Russia is the wealthier of the two: $17,547 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $683.10B | 2025 | $2.17T / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $17,547 | $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 8.7% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 6.7% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 46 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $811 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $297 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $4.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 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 1.0%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 8.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 46 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Argentina: $811 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the younger society: median age 32.9 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 4.1 years longer in Argentina (77.5 vs 73.4).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 75%.
Geography
By land area, Russia is 6.1 times the size of Argentina: 17,098,242 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
Military
Russia spends 36 times as much on defence as Argentina: $148.97B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Argentina?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Russia is 6.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Argentina?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Russia is richer: $17,547 against $14,898. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.56T for Russia versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Argentina?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).