Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 2.2 times the population of Argentina: 101.60 million people against 45.85 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is 33% larger than Vietnam's, at $683.10B versus $514.70B.
Per person, Argentina is the wealthier of the two: $14,898 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $683.10B | 2025 | $476.39B / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.3% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 3.6% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 46 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $811 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $297 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $4.18B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 0.6% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 4.4%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 3.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 46 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Argentina: $811 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 33.4 (Vietnam) and 32.9 (Argentina).
Life expectancy is 2.8 years longer in Argentina (77.5 vs 74.7).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 88% smaller than Argentina: 331,212 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 16.
Military
Vietnam spends 32% more on defence than Argentina: $5.50B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Vietnam carries the heavier military burden: 1.8% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Argentina?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Argentina is 8.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Argentina?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Argentina is richer: $14,898 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Argentina?
- Vietnam spends more: $5.50B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).