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Argentina Population (2026 Overview)
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country located in the southern half of South America. It is the second-largest country on the continent by land area after Brazil and the third most populous country in South America.
According to the 2022 National Census (INDEC), Argentina’s population was recorded at 46,044,703. As of July 1, 2025, the estimated population of Argentina stands at 46,387,098, or about 46.4 million people.
Projected Population of Argentina (2026): ~46.4 million
Argentina Demographics – Quick Facts
Official Name: Argentine Republic
Continent: South America
Capital City: Buenos Aires
Total Population (2025 est.): ~46.4 million
Population Rank (South America): 3rd
Land Area: 2,736,690 sq. km (1,056,640 sq. mi)
Area Rank (South America): 2nd
Population Density: ~17 persons per sq. km
Urban Population: ~92.8%
Major Religion: Christianity (48.5%)
Largest Ethnic Group: European or Mestizo (≈81%)
Official Language: Spanish
Source: National Census of Population
Argentina Census Snapshot (2022)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population | 46,044,703 |
| South America Rank | 3rd |
| Urban Population | 92.8% |
| Land Area | 2,736,690 sq. km (1,056,640 sq. mi) |
| Area Rank | 2nd |
| Population Density | 17 persons per sq. km |
| Capital City | Buenos Aires |
Future Population Projection
Argentina’s population is expected to grow slowly over the coming decades, with growth gradually stabilizing due to declining fertility rates and an aging population. While modest increases are projected through mid-century, long-term trends suggest population leveling toward the end of the century.
| Year | Estimated Population |
|---|---|
| 2030 | ~47.1 million |
| 2040 | ~48.0 million |
| 2050 | ~48.6 million |
| 2100 | ~45.9 million |
Projection trend: Population growth is projected to peak around mid-century before experiencing a gradual decline by 2100.
➡️ For regional distribution and administrative divisions, read about the List of Provinces in Argentina.
Argentina Historical Population
Argentina’s population growth has evolved from slow colonial-era expansion to rapid growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, driven largely by European immigration. Growth moderated after the mid-20th century but has remained steady, with the population reaching over 46 million by the 2022 census.
Historical Population Growth
| Year | Population | Avg. Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 1650 | 298,000 | — |
| 1778 | 420,900 | +0.27% |
| 1800 | 551,500 | +1.24% |
| 1825 | 766,400 | +1.45% |
| 1857 | 1,299,600 | +1.90% |
| 1869 | 1,830,214 | +2.89% |
| 1895 | 4,044,911 | +3.10% |
| 1914 | 7,903,662 | +3.59% |
| 1947 | 15,893,811 | +2.14% |
| 1960 | 20,013,793 | +1.79% |
| 1980 | 27,949,480 | +1.81% |
| 2001 | 36,260,130 | +1.06% |
| 2010 | 40,117,096 | +1.13% |
| 2022 | 46,044,703 | +1.16% |
Trend note: Argentina’s fastest population growth occurred between 1895 and 1914, coinciding with mass European immigration, while recent decades show moderate but stable growth.
Religion in Argentina
Christianity remains the dominant religion in Argentina, with Catholicism as the largest religious affiliation, followed by smaller Protestant and Evangelical communities. Religion continues to play an important cultural role, although levels of religious identification vary by age and region.
According to the Latinobarómetro 2023 survey (n=1,200), 67.8% of Argentines identify as Catholic, while Evangelical and Protestant denominations together account for about 6–7% of the population. The study also highlights Argentina’s secular trend, with 16.8% reporting no religious affiliation, alongside 6.6% identifying as atheist or agnostic, particularly among younger age groups.
Non-Christian religions form a small but historically significant share of the population, including Judaism and Islam. Argentina is home to the largest Jewish community in Latin America, estimated at around 300,000 people, and also hosts the region’s largest Muslim minority.
📊 Religious Composition in Argentina
| Religion / Affiliation | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 67.8% |
| Evangelical / Protestant (combined) | ~6.6% |
| Other Christian & folk religions | ~1.2% |
| Atheist & Agnostic | 6.6% |
| No Religion | 16.8% |
| Other religions | ~0.9% |
| Don’t know / No answer | ~0.4% |
Source: Latinobarómetro 2023
Note: Latinobarómetro figures are survey-based estimates intended to reflect recent trends rather than official census totals.
Summary
Catholicism remains the largest single group, though its share has declined
Evangelical and Protestant groups together now account for nearly 8% of the population.
Unaffiliated, atheist, and agnostic populations constitute roughly 25%, reflecting increasing secularization.
Minor religions, including Judaism and African-derived faiths, continue to be present mainly in urban and immigrant communities.
Race & Ethnicity in Argentina
Argentina’s population reflects a long history of European immigration, particularly from Spain and Italy, resulting in a majority of residents identifying as White or of European-mixed ancestry. Indigenous, African, and mixed-heritage communities also form an important part of the country’s ethnic makeup.
According to the Latinobarómetro 2023 survey, 54.2% of Argentines identify as White and 26.2% as Mestizo, indicating a growing recognition of mixed ancestry, especially among younger generations. Indigenous peoples account for about 2.2%, while those identifying as Black or of African descent represent roughly 1–2% of the population.
Argentina also hosts smaller but historically significant ethnic communities, including Arab descendants (mainly Syrian and Lebanese) and the largest Jewish population in Latin America, placing it among the largest Jewish communities worldwide.
Racial Composition of Argentina
| Race / Ethnicity | Share of Population |
|---|---|
| European or Mestizo | 81% |
| African Ancestry | 4% |
| Arab and Other Asian | 2.9% |
| Amerindian / Indigenous | 2.1% |
Compiled from census records, academic estimates, and demographic studies
Survey Insight (Latinobarómetro 2023):
Recent survey data indicates growing self-identification as Mestizo, particularly among younger Argentines, suggesting a gradual shift away from exclusive European identification toward more mixed-heritage recognition.
Read in detail: Race and Ethnicity in Argentina
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