Argentina: cost of living

What is Argentina's core inflation?

Argentina's core consumer prices rose 1.7% in September 2026 from August, according to INDEC's consumer price index report of 13 October 2026. The headline index rose 1.9% in the month, 23.6% since December 2025 and 33.4% over the year.

Core inflation excludes seasonal items, such as fruit and vegetables, and regulated prices, such as utilities and fuel, so it shows the underlying trend. INDEC says restaurant meals and medicines drove core prices in September. Seasonal prices rose 2.9% and regulated prices 2.3%.

Official sources: INDEC: consumer price index, September 2026

How fast are food prices rising in Argentina?

Food and non-alcoholic drink prices in Argentina were 35.1% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to INDEC's consumer price index report. Since December 2025 they have risen 24.5%, slightly more than the overall index at 23.6%.

In the Northeast region, food prices rose 40.8% over the year, the most of any region; in Patagonia they rose 29.8%. INDEC says food was the division with the largest contribution to monthly inflation in all regions except Greater Buenos Aires, where housing and utilities contributed most.

Official sources: INDEC: consumer price index, September 2026

How much does a family need to stay out of poverty in Argentina?

A family of four in Greater Buenos Aires needed $1,632,505 in September 2026 to stay above the poverty line, according to INDEC's basic basket report of 13 October 2026. To cover only basic food (the indigence line) it needed $738,690.

The family in INDEC's example is a man of 35, a woman of 31 and children of 6 and 8. The food basket rose 40.0% over the year and the total basket 38.7%, both faster than overall consumer prices. Both rose 1.7% from August.

Official sources: INDEC: basic food and total baskets, September 2026

How fast are wholesale prices rising in Argentina?

Argentina's domestic wholesale price index (IPIM) rose 2.1% in August 2026 from July, according to INDEC's wholesale price report of 16 September 2026. Prices of domestic products rose 2.1% and imported products 2.9%.

Crude oil and gas contributed 0.71 points to the monthly rise and agricultural products 0.25 points. Wholesale prices measure what businesses pay for goods before retail, so changes can feed through to consumer prices later. The index does not include services.

Official sources: INDEC: wholesale price index, August 2026

Do prices rise at the same pace across Argentina?

Consumer prices rose 36.9% in the year to September 2026 in Argentina's Northeast region, the most of the six regions, and 30.3% in Patagonia, the least, according to INDEC's consumer price index report. The national rate was 33.4%.

The gap is largest in housing, water, electricity and gas, which rose 76.9% in the Northeast against 45.2% in Greater Buenos Aires. Regional differences reflect local utility tariffs and the weight of each item in household spending in each region.

Official sources: INDEC: consumer price index, September 2026

What is the inflation rate in Argentina?

In 2024, consumer price inflation in Argentina was 219.9%, according to the IMF. That is the highest since at least 2018. Latin America & Caribbean median: 3.5%; Argentina is 1st highest of 30. Of 172 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.

How much do households in Argentina spend per person?

According to the World Bank, household consumption per person in Argentina was $9,022 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at $9,285; its low point was 2005, at $6,428. It is 3rd highest of 15 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is $4,566. World rank, highest first: 43rd of 124.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Argentina?

In 2024, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Argentina was 1.0%, according to the World Bank. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.1%; Argentina is 11th highest of 14.

What is the poverty rate in Argentina?

In 2025, the share of people below the national poverty line in Argentina was 28.2%, according to the World Bank. The peak was 42.0% in 2020 and the low 25.7% in 2017. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 23.5%, and Argentina placed 3rd highest of 8.

What is income inequality in Argentina?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2024, is 42.4. Since 2005 it has ranged from 40.7 (2022) to 47.8 (2005). Latin America & Caribbean median: 43.6; Argentina is 10th highest of 14.

How many people in Argentina go hungry?

31.7%: that is moderate or severe food insecurity in Argentina for 2024, according to the FAO. Since 2015 it has ranged from 19.2% (2015) to 36.9% (2020). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 28.0%, and Argentina placed 8th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 49th of 135.