Argentina  

Argentina has a relatively high domestic savings rate and workers benefit from a relatively high capital stock in the form of offices, factories, and machinery. Unemployment and inflation both stand at a high level of 9%. Nevertheless, household expenditure is high, which has helped buoy up the economy despite extremely low exports as a capacity to import and foreign direct investment. Raw material exports are high, indicating a possible over-reliance on this sector. In the financial sector, net interest margins are slightly below average while only 2.7% of all loans have defaulted, suggesting a relatively healthy banking sector.

Argentina is not a country reliant on technology for its trade. Despite a good internet infrastructure – 24th best in the world as measured by bandwidth – there are only nine personal computers per 100 people and approximately 12 secure internet servers per 1 million capita. There is also a very low percentage of high-tech exports and an even lower percentage of ICT exports. Despite being ranked the 5th worst country in terms of barriers to setting up business, a high number of new businesses were registered in 2007. A low percentage of GDP is spent on R&D, leaving Argentina ranked 42nd on this variable. However, relatively high royalty receipts mean that companies are able to capitalise on what intellectual property they do produce. Argentina ranks 60th in terms of value added in its service industry, a figure that must improve to advance economic development.

Democracy in Argentina is strong compared to most South American countries. Significant political checks and balances are in place, in the form of veto points in the political system, making it difficult for a single political figure to change legislation arbitrarily without being challenged. Furthermore, electoral processes are free and well regulated, and characterised by a high level of open political competition for both the executive and legislative branches of government. Argentina’s judiciary, however, is not independent from the main body of government, which could lead to interference in the legal system by those in power. While political rights and civil liberties are not fully protected in Argentina, the country still ranks in the top 30 for those variables.

An extremely high level of enrolment of 99% in primary schools coupled with a ratio of one teacher per 17 students implies an extremely good level of primary education in Argentina. However, figures for secondary schools are poorer, with only 84% of children of secondary school age being enrolled at that level and 104 girls are enrolled for every 100 boys, a very high level, near gender equity. Argentina’s low rank of 78 with regards to average secondary years of schooling per worker is at odds with its position at 11th for tertiary years of schooling, revealing a disproportionate emphasis on tertiary education in the workforce. In fact, this is confirmed by high tertiary enrolment rates which place this country just outside the top 20 according to this variable.

The average Argentinean’s health-adjusted life expectancy is 65 years. A very high percentage of people are satisfied with their health while only 22% of respondents have health issues and 73% report feeling well rested.* Only 3% of the population is malnourished, but with 14 deaths in infancy per 1,000 live births, Argentina ranks 60th on this variable. While 91% of the population has access to improved sanitation facilities, only 66% of those questioned were satisfied with the quality of their water.*

Argentina faces few threats to national security. Groups with a history of social grievances are more highly related to Argentina’s domestic security concerns than refugees, but the likelihood of instability from either group is small. Data show that the Argentinean government allegedly engages in some instances of political violence against its citizens, such as torture or political imprisonment. Only 41% of surveyed respondents felt safe walking alone at night.* The levels of homicide, theft,* and assault* recorded in the country are near global averages.

Rule of law is at times applied unequally, meaning that some individuals may be unfairly prosecuted, and markets are sometimes badly regulated, making them uncompetitive. Argentina ranks below average for government effectiveness, which indicates that the civil service is somewhat inefficient when carrying through government policy. Although Argentina’s elections have been classified as free and fair, only 36% of people have confidence in the honesty of the electoral system.* Corruption is seen as very high in both local government and local businesses.* Furthermore, confidence in both the military and the judicial system is very low, with Argentina ranking 97th and 96th, respectively, in these categories.*

Argentineans reportedly enjoy excellent freedom of movement, religion, and speech, although only 69% are satisfied with their freedom of choice in their daily lives.* Argentina is 53rd with regards to tolerance of ethnic minorities although 72% of respondents believe that their area is a good place for immigrants to live.*

Less than two in 10 Argentineans believe that they can trust strangers. This, coupled with low group membership and low levels of charitable giving and volunteer work, point to a society with weaknesses in social capital, despite the fact that 51% of those interviewed claimed to have helped a stranger in 2008.* A high proportion of survey respondents believed that friends are important, and 90% believed that they could rely on their friends and family for support in times of need.* Although religious membership was reported at 40%, only 20% of Argentineans believe that religion is an important part of their daily lives.*

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

• Back to top