Argentina has a population of roughly 46 million people.[1] The country is highly urbanized with 92% of its population living in cities[2] and only 8% residing in rural areas.[3] The agricultural sector in Argentina represents 7% of the national GDP[4]and employs 8% of the workforce.[5]
Argentina is one of the most important countries in terms of food exports worldwide. The agricultural sector is dominated by large scale farms, specifically in the region of Pampas. This region has undergone an important agricultural transformation through mechanization and increased production and has favored the cultivation of grains and soybeans.[6] Outside the Pampas, however, rural poverty is on the rise as the rural population has limited access to land and resources. Smallholder farmers struggle with low productivity and are excluded from larger markets and value chains. In addition, smallholder farmers are increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events due to climate change.[7]
The top produced commodities in Argentina are maize, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, milk and barley.[8] Similarly, Argentina’s top export commodities in terms of quantity are soybeans, maize, wheat and barley.[9]
- ^ World Bank (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=AR
- ^ World Bank (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=AR
- ^ World Bank (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS?locations=AR
- ^ World Bank (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=AR
- ^ World Bank (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=AR
- ^ OECD (2019). Agricultural Policies in Argentina. Trade and Agriculture Directorate Committee for Agriculture. https://www.oecd.org/officialdocuments/publicdisplaydocumentpdf/?cote=TAD/CA(2018)9/FINAL&docLanguage=En
- ^ IFAD. Country Profiles: Argentina. https://www.ifad.org/en/web/operations/country/id/argentina
- ^ FAOSTAT (2022). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country
- ^ FAOSTAT (2022). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country_exports
Minimum wage
The national minimum wage in Argentina is set by law at 234,315 Argentine pesos (261 EUR) per month, including retirement benefits. The law establishes different wage levels per sector, starting on this value for domestic workers.[1] Furthermore, the enforcement of labor law is not equal for all sectors, with the informal sectors being hit the hardest despite the fact it employs around to 35% of the national workforce. In many cases, workers could not refuse to compromise their safety without putting their jobs at risk, and the authorities are insufficient to protect them.[2]
The Global Living Wage Coalition has developed 2 reference value studies for Argentina based on the Anker Methodology. A Living Wage Reference Value for non-metropolitan urban Argentina and a Living Income Reference Value for rural Argentina.
- ^ Wage Indicator Foundation (2023). Minimum Wage-Argentina. https://wageindicator.org/salary/minimum-wage/argentina.
- ^ U.S. Department of State. 2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Argentina. https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/argentina/
Living wage
The living wage for non-metropolitan urban Argentina was estimated at 232,709 Argentine pesos (1241 EUR) per month. This is the wage workers in non-metropolitan urban areas of Argentina would need to afford a basic but decent standard of living.[1]
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition (2023). Anker Living Wage Reference Value: Non-Metropolitan Urban Argentina. https://www.globallivingwage.org/reference-value/living-wage-reference-value-non-metropolitan-urban-argentina/
Living income
Living Wage Reference Value, Non-Metropolitan Urban Argentina June 2023 UPDATE 
Updated living wage estimate for workers to be able to afford a basic but decent living standard in urban non-metropolitan areas of Argentina.
Living Income Reference Value, Rural Argentina 2023 UPDATE
Updated living income estimate for a typical family in rural Argentina to cover the monthly cost of a basic but decent standard of living.
Soybeans and their Economic Effect
This FAO report, focuses on the relationship of the soybean sector with economic growth and poverty in Argentina and Brazil.
The Invisible Poor-Rural Poverty in Argentina
This report deals with the poorest Argentines, rural populations, whose condition is not visible in official statistics due to urban bias.