EX-99.D 2 d874716dex99d.htm EX-99.D EX-99.D

Exhibit D

Description of

The Republic of Argentina

October 31, 2024

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     PAGE  

Defined Terms and Certain Conventions

     D-2  

Recent Developments

     D-6  

Presentation of Statistical and Other Information

     D-16  

Forward-Looking Statements

     D-17  

Data Dissemination

     D-18  

Summary

     D-19  

The Republic of Argentina

     D-20  

The Argentine Economy

     D-28  

Balance Of Payments

     D-60  

Monetary System

     D-81  

Public Sector Finances

     D-107  

Public Sector Debt

     D-136  


DEFINED TERMS AND CERTAIN CONVENTIONS

Certain Defined Terms

All references in this Annual Report to “Argentina” or the “Republic” are to the Republic of Argentina, and to the “Government” are to the non-financial sector of the federal government of Argentina, excluding the Central Bank, Banco de la Nación Argentina and Banco de Inversión y Comercio Exterior (Foreign Investment and Trade Bank, or “BICE”).

The terms set forth below have the following meanings for purposes of this Annual Report:

 

   

2005 Debt Exchange” refers to the restructuring and exchange of public debt that had been in default since the end of 2001 undertaken by the Government between January and May of 2005.

 

   

2010 Debt Exchange” refers to the restructuring and exchange of public debt that had been in default since the end of 2001 undertaken by the Government between April and December 2010.

 

   

2020 Debt Exchanges” refers to the restructurings and exchanges of public debt denominated in foreign currency and governed by foreign and local law undertaken by the Government between April and September 2020.

 

   

ALADI” refers to the Asociación Latinoamericana de Integración (Latin American Integration Association).

 

   

BADLAR” rate is an average rate published by the Central Bank based on a survey of financial institutions in Argentina regarding the nominal annual interest rate in peso-denominated time deposits of more than Ps.1.0 million from 30 to 35 days.

 

   

CAF” refers to Corporación Andina de Fomento (Andean Promotion Corporation);

 

   

Consumer Price Index,” or “CPI,” is an index calculated on a weighted basket of consumer goods and services. References in this Annual Report to “National CPI” refers to CPI figures that the INDEC began publishing in July 2017 based on a survey conducted by INDEC and several provincial statistical offices in 39 urban areas encompassing each of the Republic’s provinces. Results are not reported by the provinces, but on a national level and for six statistical regions: the Greater Buenos Aires Metropolitan area, the Cuyo region, the Northeast region, the Northwest region, the Central (Pampeana) Region and the Southern (Patagonia) region.

 

   

defaulted debt” or “debt in default” as of any given date refers to all of Argentina’s public indebtedness on which Argentina is not paying principal or interest as of such date, plus any past due principal and interest payments calculated at contractual rates.

 

   

FONPLATA” refers to the Fondo Financiero para el Desarrollo de la Cuenca del Plata (Financial Fund for the Development of the River Plate Basin).

 

   

GAFISUD” refers to the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering in South America.

 

   

Gross domestic product” or “GDP” means the total value of final products and services produced in Argentina during the relevant period.

 

   

IMF” refers to the International Monetary Fund.

 

   

IADB” refers to the Inter-American Development Bank.

 

   

non-performing debt” refers to public indebtedness of Argentina that was formally subject to the moratorium declared by the Government in December 2001, other than Untendered Debt. Argentina’s non-performing debt encompasses all public debt on which Argentina is in default as of any given date (other than Untendered Debt), including past due principal and interest payments calculated at contractual rates. Non-performing debt also includes the following:

 

  (i)

certain debt obligations on which the Government has continued to make payments on a case-by-case basis (such as in cases of extreme necessity (e.g., for senior citizens 75 years of age or older) or when the provision of essential services is threatened), despite being formally subject to the suspension of debt payments; and

 

  (ii)

certain obligations that resulted from the advance payment of tax obligations by certain companies. These advance tax payments gave rise to claims against the Government for the amount of the payment. The Government considers these claims additional public indebtedness of Argentina and they are treated as such in the Government’s accounts. These claims, however, are discharged when the tax obligation that gave rise to the advanced payment actually becomes payable, at which time the tax obligation is cancelled. Accordingly, although formally subject to the suspension of payments, the Government’s obligations in respect of these claims are not in default.

 

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Settlement Proposal refers to the proposal, published by the Republic on February 5, 2016, to settle all claims on Untendered Debt not otherwise time-barred, including bonds in litigation in the United States and elsewhere. See “Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—The Settlement.”

 

   

Untendered Debt” means, with respect to data included herein through 2016, defaulted debt in respect of securities that were eligible for, but not tendered in, the 2005 Debt Exchange and the 2010 Debt Exchange and have not been settled since February 5, 2016. References to Untendered Debt in this Annual Report do not constitute, and shall not be read or construed to constitute a waiver of any defenses available to the Republic with respect to the enforcement of any claim thereunder. See “Preservation of Defenses.” The Republic has not offered to pay time-barred claims on principal or interest. See “Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings.” Any amounts of Untendered Debt set forth in this Annual Report have been defined in this Annual Report to include unpaid principal plus accrued and unpaid interest at contractual rates through December 31, 2023, including penalty or default interest. In settling outstanding disputes with holdout creditors pursuant to the Settlement Proposal, the Republic took into consideration interest accrued after the originally scheduled maturity of each defaulted series of securities (other than time-barred interest), as well as default interest.

 

   

WTO” refers to the World Trade Organization.

For purposes of this Annual Report, the following terms, which refer to various public debt instruments and other debt instruments issued by the Central Bank, have the meanings set forth below:

 

   

2017 Globals”: U.S. dollar-denominated global bonds issued in the international capital markets pursuant to the 2010 Debt Exchange.

 

   

2035 GDP-Linked Securities”: Long-term government treasury securities denominated in U.S. dollars, euros, Japanese yen and pesos, issued in the international capital markets pursuant to the 2005 Debt Exchange and the 2010 Debt Exchange.

 

   

2045 Quasi-Par Bonds”: Peso-denominated long-term government treasury bonds issued in the international capital markets pursuant to the 2005 Debt Exchange.

 

   

Birads”: U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued by the Republic to finance the repurchase of GDP-Linked Securities.

 

   

Bocones”: Bonds issued by the Republic to restructure its obligations to pensioners and suppliers and to settle reparations of members of family of victims of the military dictatorship.

 

   

Bonacs,” “Bonads,” “Boncers,” “Bontes” and “Botapos”: Bonds issued by the Republic for general purposes. Except for the Bonads, which are denominated in U.S. dollars and payable in pesos (dollar-linked), the remaining bonds are denominated in pesos.

 

   

Bonares”: Bonds issued by the Republic for general purposes of the Government and in exchange for CER-index linked bonds.

 

   

Bonar Dual”: Bonds issued by the Republic for general purposes of the Government denominated in U.S. dollars but payable in pesos. Upon maturity, the Republic is required to pay the higher of (i) the principal amount outstanding in U.S. dollars converted into pesos at the exchange rate applicable as of the issuance date, plus capitalized accrued interest in pesos at a rate determined on the issuance date, and (ii) the principal amount outstanding in U.S. dollars plus capitalized accrued interest at a U.S. dollar interest rate, converted into pesos at the exchange rate applicable as of the maturity date.

 

   

Bopreal” U.S. dollar-denominated bonds issued by the Central Bank to provide predictability for payments associated with the stock of commercial debt accumulated by importers up to December 12, 2023.

 

   

Global”: U.S. dollar-denominated global bonds issued in the international capital markets pursuant to the 2020 Debt Exchanges.

 

   

Lebacs”: Short-term notes issued by the Central Bank mainly peso-denominated.

 

   

Lecaps”: Peso-denominated notes issued by the Ministry of Economy.

 

   

Lecer”: Peso-denominated, inflation-adjusted notes issued by the Ministry of Economy.

 

   

Lelink”: Peso-denominated notes pegged to the U.S. dollar issued by the Ministry of Economy.

 

   

Leliqs”: Liquidity notes issued by the Central Bank, denominated in pesos and with a 28-day maturity. Leliqs are offered twice a week and may only be purchased by banking entities for their own portfolio.

 

   

Lelite”: Short term peso-denominated notes, subscribed exclusively by mutual funds.

 

D-3


   

Letes”: U.S. dollar-denominated Treasury notes issued by the Republic for general purposes of the Government.

 

   

National Guaranteed Loans”: Tax-secured loans that the Republic exchanged for previously outstanding bonds as part of a voluntary debt offers that took place in 2001. Holders of National Guaranteed Loans retained the right to recover their original bonds upon default.

 

   

Nobacs”: Peso-denominated medium-term notes issued by the Central Bank.

 

   

Notaliqs”: Peso-denominated, floating rate liquidity notes issued by the Central Bank, with a 182-day average maturity.

Preservation of Defenses

Nothing in this Annual Report, or in any communication from the Republic, constitutes an acknowledgment or admission of the existence of any claim or any liability of the Republic to pay that claim or an acknowledgment that any ability to bring proceedings in any jurisdiction in respect of such claim or any limitation period relating thereto has been revived or reinstated, or an express or implied promise to pay any such claim (or part thereof). Whether or not a claim exists, the Republic may in its sole discretion and only if written notice to that effect is received from a duly authorized officer of the Republic, attribute a value to such claim for purposes of the Republic’s Settlement Proposal or for any other purpose. All defenses available to the Republic relating to any applicable statute of limitations or otherwise are expressly preserved for all purposes. This Annual Report may not be relied upon as evidence of the Republic’s agreement that a claim exists, or of the Republic’s willingness, ability or obligation to pay any claim. Any attribution of any value to any claim for purposes of the Republic’s Settlement Proposal or for any other purpose will not be considered an acknowledgment of the existence or validity of that claim and any consideration given by or on behalf of the Republic to the proponent of that claim will be consideration only for the agreement by the proponent of that claim to cease all actions or proceedings in respect of that claim and to irrevocably assign and transfer to the Republic all rights, if any, with respect to such claim and to undertake to complete any and all formalities or requirements necessary to ensure that if such claim existed neither the proponent nor any successor or assignee of the proponent (other than the Republic) is able to evidence or allege such claim to remain in existence or to be a liability of the Republic.

Exchange Rates

The Republic publishes most of its economic indicators and other statistics in pesos. The peso floated freely with limited intervention by the Central Bank between January 2016 and August 2019. During this period, the peso lost 77.9% of its value compared to the U.S. dollar, from Ps.13.65 per U.S.$1.00 on January 1, 2016 to Ps.59.1 per U.S.$1.00 on August 30, 2019. During 2019 alone, the peso lost 36.9% of its value compared to the U.S. dollar. In September 2019, the Central Bank imposed restrictions on foreign exchange transactions, which were tightened between October and December 2019. See “Monetary System—Foreign Exchange and International Reserves—Foreign Exchange.” During 2023, the peso lost 72.4% of its value vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar and, on December 31, 2023, the exchange rate was Ps.808.48 to U.S.$1.00. As of October 16, 2024, the peso-dollar reference exchange rate was Ps.981.58 to U.S.$1.00.

The Central Bank maintains an exchange rate management policy aimed at consolidating the gradual process of lowering the inflation rate. In addition, the Central Bank seeks to maintain the real exchange rate at a competitive level to accumulate reserves and maintain a trade surplus.

 

D-4


The following table sets forth the annual high, low, average and period-end “reference” exchange rates for the periods indicated, expressed in pesos per U.S. dollar and not adjusted for inflation. There can be no assurance that the peso will not depreciate or appreciate in the future. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York does not report a noon buying rate for pesos.

 

     Exchange rates(1)  
     High      Low      Average(2)      Period end  

Year ended December 31,

           

2018

     40.897        18.416        28.094        37.808  

2019

     60.003        37.035        48.242        59.895  

2020

     84.145        59.815        70.594        84.145  

2021

     102.750        84.703        95.161        102.750  

2022

     177.13        103.04        130.81        177.13  

2023

     808.48        178.14        292.21        808.48  

2024

           

January

     826.25        810.65        818.35        826.25  

February

     842.25        827.35        834.91        842.25  

March

     857.42        842.75        850.34        857.42  

April

     876.75        861.25        868.96        876.75  

May

     895.25        878.25        886.86        895.25  

June

     911.75        896.42        903.78        911.75  

July

     932.75        914.50        923.77        932.75  

August

     952.83        933.42        942.92        952.83  

September

     970.92        952.75        961.83        970.92  

 

(1)

Central Bank reference exchange rates (Communication A 3500 of Central Bank).

(2)

Average of daily closing quotes.

Source: Central Bank.

Currency conversions, including conversions of pesos into U.S. dollars, are included for the convenience of the reader only and should not be construed as a representation that the amounts in question have been, could have been or could be converted into any particular denomination, at any particular rate or at all.

 

D-5


RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

The information contained in this section supplements the information about the Republic corresponding to the headings below that are contained in this Annual Report. This information is not necessarily indicative of the Argentine economy or fiscal results for the full year or any other period. You should read the following discussion of recent developments together with the more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report.

THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA

Recent Measures Adopted by the Republic

With the objective of reducing public sector deficit, the Milei administration implemented an economic program focused on rationalizing public sector spending, prioritizing social policies, improving public safety and modernizing the public administration. The measures adopted by the Government included: (i) the reduction of subsidies in the transport and energy sectors, aimed at improving the allocation of funds to benefit vulnerable groups, (ii) a reduction in transfers to the Provinces, administrative costs, and the financing of media advertisements, (iii) a reorganization of the public administration, which entailed a reduction in the number of public ministries, a reduction in the number public administration employees, and the elimination of transfers to state-owned enterprises, (iv) an increase in the budget for public security and defense, (v) the implementation of a new formula for updating social security payments, (vi) an increase in the transfers allocated to social programs, including the Asignación Universal por Hijo (Universal Child Allowance or “AUH”), Prestación Alimentar (Food Provision) and Plan 1.000 días (1,000 Days Plan), and (vi) the elimination of certain fiduciary funds, such as the Fondo Fiduciario para el Desarrollo de la Generación Distribuida de Energías Renovables (Trust Fund for the Development of Distributed Generation of Renewable Energies), Fondo Fiduciario Nacional de Agroindustria (National Agroindustry Trust Fund), Fondo Establizador del Trigo Argentino (Argentine Wheat Stabilizing Fund), Fondo para la Recuperación de la Actividad Ovina (Fund for the Recovery of Sheep Activity) and Fondo de Cobertura Universal de Salud (Universal Health Coverage Fund).

The Milei administration assumed office without a majority in either house of Congress and, therefore, has been operating by building consensus with other political parties. See “The Republic of Argentina—Political Parties.” Since taking office in December 2023, the Milei administration has relied on the use of the Executive branch’s legislative powers, such as legislative vetoes and executive decrees, to further its objective of reducing the public sector deficit, including in matters relating to the pension system and the education budget, among others.

On October 1, 2024, Congress enacted Law No. 27,781 introducing a Boleta Única de Papel (Single-Paper Ballot or “BUP”) for national elections, expected to be used for the first time in the 2025 legislative elections. The BUP will replace individual party ballots and is intended to (i) enhance electoral transparency, (ii) simplify the voting process, (iii) reduce the risk of ballot manipulation, (iv) speed up vote counting, (v) minimize counting errors, (vi) eliminate practices such as the theft of party ballots, and (vii) promote pluralism.

Foreign Affairs and International Organizations

On April 18, 2024, the Republic formally requested to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”) as a global partner. If granted, this status would provide the Republic with enhanced political and security cooperation with NATO members and access to advanced technology, security systems and training, without requiring that the Republic participates in collective military actions.

Moreover, on April 18, 2024, the U.S. Government announced a U.S. $40 million foreign military financing grant to Argentina, aimed at enabling key U.S. allies to purchase U.S. weaponry and supporting the Republic in equipping and modernizing its military forces.

In October 2024, the Republic and China entered into an agreement for the Elimination of Double Taxation with Respect to Income and Wealth Taxes and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance of its Protocol.

THE ARGENTINE ECONOMY

Role of the State in the Economy

Energy sector reforms

In 2024, to stabilize the energy sector, tariff adjustments were implemented by the Secretariat of Energy, with temporary postponements during mid-2024 to support the disinflation process, including measures to reform the energy sector, focusing on adjusting subsidies in line with Decree No. 332/2022, which established user segmentation based on income. Public hearings were convened to ensure transparency and citizen participation, particularly regarding changes to the subsidy regime, in compliance with previous legal rulings on tariffs and subsidies. In addition, through the enactment of Decree No. 465/2024, the Government introduced a transition period to move from a generalized subsidy regime to one targeting vulnerable users, aiming at reducing overlapping subsidies while gradually passing real energy prices to end-users.

 

D-6


Price and tariff updates for electricity and gas were resumed beginning August 2024 to avoid distortions and preserve the economic sustainability of the energy sector. The revised subsidy framework seeks to balance fiscal consolidation with social protection, focusing on vulnerable sectors while gradually correcting energy tariffs to reflect true costs.

Incentive Regime for Large Investments

On July 8, 2024, the Government issued Law No. 27,742, approving an incentive regime for large investments known as Régimen de Incentivo para Grandes Inversiones (Incentive Regime for Large Investments or “RIGI”), which is aimed at providing predictability, legal certainty and setting clear rules for the development of large investments, particularly those with export potential, and therefore boosting employment and growth. The RIGI seeks to develop investments in strategic sectors such as oil and gas, mining, renewable energies, forestry, steel, technology, infrastructure and tourism. To qualify for the regime, several requirements must be met, including a minimum investment of U.S. $200 million and the submission of both an application and a detailed investment plan. Each project is subject to approval by an evaluation committee responsible for reviewing applications to join the RIGI.

Privatization Policy

The Milei administration has also announced goals to privatize several state-owned companies across various industries, as permitted by Law No. 27,742, which authorized the total or partial privatization of certain companies wholly or majority owned by the State. This privatization initiative is part of the Milei administration’s broader goal of reducing government spending, modernizing the public sector, and promoting a leaner and more efficient public administration.

Poverty and Income Distribution

INDEC’s assessment of its essential goods and services basket for the Greater Buenos Aires area indicates that a standard family required Ps.421,474 to gain access to the essential goods and services basket in August 2024, compared to Ps.130,590 in August 2023.

According to INDEC, in August 2024, the essential food basket for households stood at Ps.136,399, compared to Ps.42,262 in August 2023.

Employment and Labor

Wages and Labor Productivity

In October 2024, the minimum monthly wage stood at Ps.271,571, representing an increase of 105.7% compared to October 2023.

In October 2024, the minimum income subject to income tax was Ps.3,503,688.17.

International Reserves

As of October 7, 2024, the gross international reserve assets of the Central Bank totaled U.S.$27.9 billion, compared to U.S.$23.1 billion as of December 31, 2023. See “Monetary System—Monetary Policy.”

MONETARY SYSTEM

Monetary Policy

Following Mr. Javier Milei’s election as president in November 2023, new authorities took office at the Central Bank in December 2023 and established new guidelines and policies.

In December 2023, to provide predictability for payments associated with the stock of commercial debt accumulated by importers up to December 12, 2023, the Central Bank announced the terms for new instruments called “Bonds for the Reconstruction of a Free Argentina” (“Bopreal”). Through the auction of these instruments, the Central Bank aimed to offer an orderly solution to address the crisis caused by the accumulation of commercial debts by importers. In this context, importers were given the opportunity to acquire these instruments using their available liquidity in pesos to meet their foreign commitments and, in return, they received a certain flow of foreign currency from the Central Bank. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Central Bank had placed the full amount announced for each of the three series of Bopreals in an aggregate original principal amount of US$10.0 billion.

 

 

D-7


In January 2024, the Central Bank announced that small- and medium- enterprises (“SMEs”) with total indebtedness of up to U.S.$500,000 could access the Mercado Único y Libre de Cambios (“MULC”) to repay their debts in three installments in February, March and April 2024.

Among the large number of reforms aimed at normalizing the functioning of a banking system that hosted a complex web of disguised financial subsidies, the Central Bank redefined the incentive scheme, effective as of April 2024, to facilitate credit access for medium- small- and micro- enterprises (“MSMEs”). The scheme provides for a reduction in the minimum cash reserve requirements for financial institutions that maintain an average stock of SME’ loans representing at least 7.5% of their total deposits in pesos from the non-financial private sector. Moreover, the scheme requires that 30% of those holdings be channeled to investment projects with a minimum average term of 24 months. To further encourage longer-term investment projects, the Central Bank offered a 40% reduction in the minimum reserves required for financial institutions financing projects maturing in 36 months or more.

Since December 2023, there has been a sustained accumulation of international reserves, reversing the trend seen in 2023, supported by the BOPREAL offerings, which postponed the amount of foreign currency used to repay importers’ accumulated commercial debts and a phasing in installments of the payments of imports carried out since December 12, 2023. The Central Bank’s net reserves increased to U.S.$8.7 billion in the first quarter of 2024. In a context of no official intervention in the foreign currency market, the spread between the official and informal dollar prices was reduced and stabilized. This reduced exchange rate uncertainty and improved inflation expectations.

In this context, during the first half of 2024, the Central Bank adopted the following measures:

 

   

The monetary policy rate was reduced to 80% annually (from 100% annually) in March 2024, and further reduced to 60% annually by the end of April and to 40% annually in May 2024.

 

   

Access to repos was restored for financial institutions regulated by the Central Bank.

 

   

On May 16, 2024, the Central Bank’s Board established a regulatory framework to replace short-term remunerated liabilities with treasury notes, eliminating the monetary expansion associated with interest paid by the monetary policy main instrument.

 

   

Beginning on April 15, 2024, the Central Bank increased minimum reserves on term deposits held by mutual funds from 0% to 10%, as part of its liquidity management strategy.

 

   

Minimum rates for term deposits were eliminated, together with maximum rates on credit cards, a surcharge imposed on agricultural exporters holding stocks, and subsidies to payments in installments by consumers, among other measures.

 

   

The inclusion of a 30-day period for MSMEs to complete payment following registration of their imports. Additionally, for capital goods imports, enterprises can pay up to 20% of their value in advance.

 

   

The payment and cancellation of the swap with BIS under its credit facilities agreement representing an annual saving of U.S.$10 million in fees. Net reserves and the Central Bank’s liquidity position were not affected by such cancellation as the funds from the swap were technically not available by convention.

In July 2024, the Central Bank announced the second phase of its monetary program aimed at consolidating price stability.

 

   

Phase 1 focused on several key areas, such as eliminating net financing to the Treasury through monetary emission or U.S. dollar operations, and further liberalizing market restrictions. This included easing payment deadlines for importers, allowing 100% of import payments through the MULC in the first half of 2024, and reducing their financial costs. Additionally, the Central Bank doubled the amounts individuals could collect abroad for services without forced liquidation in the MULC, raising the limit to U.S.$24,000 annually. Individuals who received pandemic-related government assistance or enjoyed consumption subsidies were also allowed to engage in foreign exchange operations through bonds. A significant political monetary rate reduction followed, with the Central Bank eliminating interest on its remunerative liabilities and reducing the monetary policy rate on reverse repos from 130% to 40%, contributing to lower inflation rates. The Central Bank also introduced the Letra Fiscal de Liquidez (“LEFI”) on July 22, 2024, as a new instrument designed to regulate liquidity and absorb excess without sterilization costs on its balance sheet. LEFIs do not trade on secondary markets and are exchanged only between the Central Bank and financial institutions.

 

D-8


   

Phase 2 involved reducing the quantity of Pesos in the market to match the nominal amount of the broad monetary base, effectively making the Peso a scarce currency in times of currency competition. This phase aimed to reduce inflation by equipping the Central Bank with the tools to manage inflation expectations in the private sector while improving its balance sheet. The Central Bank’s monetary programming projected a rise in the real demand for money in the second half of 2024, anticipating an absorption of 21% of excess liquidity, and a rise in the money multiplier. By June 2024, credit in real terms had increased by 6.8% in Pesos and 79.8% in U.S. dollars compared to December 31, 2023. As the reduction in inflation progressed, the interest rate during phase 2 began shifting from negative to positive territory in real terms.

In June 2024, the Central Bank entered into a renewal of the currency swap with China for U.S.$5.0 billion until July 2026.

 

D-9


Central Bank Balance Sheet

The following table sets forth information on the Central Bank’s balance sheet as of the dates specified.

Central Bank Balance Sheet(1)

(in millions of pesos, unless otherwise specified)

 

     As of October 7,  
     2023     2024  

Assets

    

International reserves:

    

Gold

     1,271,981       5,125,545  

Foreign currency

     5,212,403       17,343,471  

Placements of foreign currency

     2,736,052       5,361,211  

Other(2)

     (27,917     26,683  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total international reserves(3)

     9,192,519       27,856,909  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Public bonds(4)(5)

     37,190,233       62,990,947  

Credits to:

    

Government (temporary advances)(5)

     4,091,100       2,690,643  

Financial system

     1,902       1,071  

International organizations(6)

     1,880,375       5,405,802  

Other assets(7)(8)

     8,740,022       2,103,494  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     61,096,152       101,048,867  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Monetary Base:

    

Currency in circulation(9)

     5,628,802       15,043,715  

Current accounts in pesos(10)

     1,508,869       8,962,616  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total monetary base

     7,137,672       24,006,332  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deposits:

    

Government deposits

     2,034,211       13,480,036  

Other deposits

     6,139,631       17,560,840  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

     8,173,842       31,040,876  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Obligation to international organizations

     1,100,907       130,659  

Central Bank notes:

    

Notes issued in foreign currency

     803,990       10,021,775  

Notes issued in pesos

     22,008,202       170,415  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Central Bank notes(11)

     22,812,191       10,192,190  

Other liabilities

     13,967,938       22,124,868  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     53,192,550       87,494,926  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets

     7,903,602       13,553,941  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Memorandum items:

    

International reserves (in millions of U.S. dollars)

   U.S.$ 26,263     U.S.$ 28,557  

Exchange rate Ps./U.S.$(12)

     350.03       975.50  

 

(1)

The information included for each period on this table is based on the balance sheet presented by the Central Bank for the last week of each year.

(2)

Includes net results of transactions under a Reciprocal Credit Agreement with ALADI.

(3)

Includes short-term foreign-currency denominated bonds and foreign currency-denominated deposits.

(4)

Includes a 1990 consolidated Treasury note, IMF obligations and others.

(5)

Starting in 2024, the accounting valuation of Treasury Notes issued in U.S. dollars and temporary advances to the Government is based on the recovery value on an amortized costs basis.

(6)

Includes transfers to international organizations from Government accounts and transfers to the Government from the IMF.

(7)

Includes transition accounts and others.

(8)

Resulting from the addition of the amounts of derivatives on international reserves and multilateral credit agreements.

(9)

Includes cash in vaults at banks.

 

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(10)

Includes bank reserves in pesos at Central Bank.

(11)

Includes Nobacs and Leliqs.

(12)

Exchange rate used by the Central Bank to publish its balance sheet.

Source: Central Bank.

Foreign Exchange and International Reserves

Foreign Exchange

In May 2024, the Central Bank extended the settlement period for foreign exchange market operations from T+0 to T+1. Additionally, the settlement cycle for locally traded bonds and stocks was reduced from T+2 to T+1, aligning with a decision by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and following the international trend to synchronize settlement timings, thereby improving arbitrage opportunities.

Inflation

The table below sets forth the wholesale price index (“WPI”) and National CPI for the periods indicated:

 

     National CPI     WPI  

2024

    

January

     20.6     18.0

February

     13.2     10.2

March

     11.0     5.4

April

     8.8     3.4

May

     4.2     3.5

June

     4.6     2.7

July

     4.0     3.1

August

     4.2     2.1

September

     3.5     2.0

Sources: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

The monetary policy measures taken in the context of an economic recession led to a significant decrease in overall price inflation by the end of the first quarter of 2024, following a spike in January 2024, with a particularly notable impact on wholesale prices. Inflation in March 2024 was lower than projected in the Memorandum of Economic and Financial Policies agreed with the IMF for the first quarter of 2024.

To manage market liquidity, on May 2, 2024, the Central Bank increased the minimum cash reserve requirements for mutual fund deposits from 0% to 10%. This rate also applies to financial institutions engaging in repo funding in the market via stocks and bonds with a residual life of up to 29 days. Both measures aim to normalize the prudential management of liquidity by banks, and absorb excess liquidity from monetary financing used in previous years to address fiscal deficits.

The decrease in remunerative liabilities of the Central Bank, the sustained reductions of the repo rate and the crawling peg of the foreign exchange rate of 2%, limited the endogenous growth of Central Bank liabilities.

After reaching a peak of 289.4% in April of 2024, on September 30, 2024, year-on-year inflation stood at 209.0%.

Foreign Exchange and International Reserves

Foreign Exchange

In June 2024, the Central Bank and the People’s Bank of China renewed a US$5 billion tranche of the currency swap agreement in place. See “Monetary System—Monetary Policy—Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2023 by the Fernández Administration.” This extension is expected to allow the Central Bank to continue reducing the risks it may face during the current economic transition that began in December 2023.

 

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Taxes on Foreign Trade

In August 2024, the Government extended the suspension of export duties on all dairy products for one year, retroactively to July 1, 2024, to support production and international commercialization in the sector.

PUBLIC SECTOR FINANCES

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2024, the primary fiscal result increased to a surplus of Ps.9.6 billion from a deficit of Ps.2.6 billion for the same period in 2023. Total revenues increased by 234.0% to Ps.69.2 billion from Ps.20.7 billion, while primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) increased by 155.3% to Ps.59.6 billion from Ps.23.3 billion.

Tax Revenues

Composition of Tax Revenues

On September 2, 2024, the Government lowered the Impuesto PAIS to import tariffs on goods and freight from 17.5% to 7.5%, with the objective of lowering the price of the U.S. dollar for importers and reducing the price of consumer goods.

In September 2024, tax revenues totaled Ps.63.7 billion, equivalent to a 241.7% annual increase, mainly due to an increase in VAT revenues, income tax and social security contributions.

Asset Regularization Regime

In July 2024, Congress enacted Law No. 27,743 establishing a tax amnesty law, the Régimen de Regularización de Activos (Asset Regularization Regime), which allows taxpayers to declare assets owned as of December 31, 2023, in order to normalize their tax situation and avoid future penalties. The regime permits a tax-free declaration of assets up to U.S.$100,000, with a 5% penalty applied to amounts exceeding that threshold, increasing to 10% for assets declared between September 30, 2024, and December 31, 2024. Additionally, the regime provides a tax exemption for amounts over U.S.$100,000 that are invested in a range of local government and corporate bonds, stocks, and new real estate projects, aimed at stimulating the construction sector.

In September 2024, the Government extended the deadline for declaring participation in the Asset Regularization Regime and making the mandatory advance payment to October 31, 2024, to ease administrative tasks for banks, tax advisors, and taxpayers. As of October 1, 2024, individuals who withdraw funds, either partially or fully, from assets regularized by September 30, will be ineligible to regularize additional amounts. Additionally, funds regularized during the extension must remain in special accounts or be allocated to authorized investments until October 31, 2024. From November 1, 2024, individuals may withdraw up to U.S. $100,000 without withholding, but amounts exceeding that amount must remain invested in authorized destinations until December 31, 2025, to avoid a 5% withholding.

As of the date of this Annual Report, the plan had increased private sector deposits in foreign currency to U.S. $11.9 billion, up from U.S. $7.7 billion during the previous tax amnesty in 2016.

In October 2024, President Milei announced the dissolution of the AFIP, the current tax collection authority, and its replacement with the newly created Agencia de Recaudación y Control Aduanero (the “Customs Collection and Control Agency,” or “ARCA”). ARCA will retain AFIP’s dual responsibilities of overseeing tax collection and customs monitoring. This measure aims to further reduce the size of the State by eliminating inefficiencies. ARCA is expected to feature a simpler structure, cutting bureaucracy, lowering costs, and reducing the number of employees.

Social Security

Retiree Programs

In March 2024, Decree 274/24 was enacted, establishing that future adjustments to pensions and allowances would be based on increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In October 2024, pensions and allowances rose by 4.17%, and retirees received a Ps. 70,000 bonus, bringing the minimum pension to Ps. 314,320.56 per month. Retirees whose pensions do not reach this amount are expected to receive a proportional bonus to ensure they receive the full Ps. 314,320.56.

 

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PUBLIC SECTOR DEBT

Overview

As of September 30, 2024, gross public debt totaled U.S.$460.1 billion, an increase of 24.1% compared to December 31, 2023, of which 0.02% (U.S.$104.2 million) was non-performing (excluding Untendered Debt). CER-indexed linked debt and local currency-denominated debt accounted for 28.3% of the total performing gross public debt, while foreign currency-denominated debt accounted for 55.8%.

As of October 16, 2024, the Ministry of Economy conducted 22 tender offers, including issues of securities within the short-term bills program, long-term bonds (including CER-indexed linked and dollar-linked bonds), as well as liability management transactions that extended the average maturity of short-term debt. As of September 30, 2024, the stock of short-term bills (Ledes, Lece and Lecap) amounted to U.S.$32.4 billion –which include accrued capitalization– compared to U.S.$4.8 billion as of December 31, 2023.

Debt Owed to Financial Institutions

IMF

In January 2024, the Milei administration renegotiated its common goals with the IMF, allowing the IMF program to resume. On June 13, 2024, the IMF’s Executive Board completed the eighth review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), resulting in a U.S.$800 million disbursement to support the Government’s efforts to lower inflation, rebuild fiscal and external buffers, and foster economic recovery. As of June 30, 2024, the IMF had disbursed U.S.$5.5 billion to the Republic under the EFF, aligning with its payment obligations of capital and interest for the same period. See “Public Sector Debt—Debt Owed to Financial Institutions—IMF.”

World Bank

During the first semester of 2024, the World Bank disbursed a total amount of U.S.$28.0 million to the Republic.

IADB

During the first semester of 2024, the IADB disbursed a total amount of U.S.$122.0 million to the Republic.

CAF

In December 2023, the Government secured a short-term bridge loan from CAF in the amount of U.S.$960.0 million. The proceeds of the bridge loan were used to cancel outstanding debt payments to the IMF.

Legal Proceedings

The Settlement

As of September 30, 2024, agreements in principle have been executed with holders of approximately 87% of the nominal amount of Untendered Debt outstanding as of December 31, 2015 (including in the calculation claims that the Republic considers time-barred and for which no agreements have been entered into).

As of October 15, 2024, payments to settling creditors had resulted in the dismissal of claims in the United States for an aggregate nominal amount of approximately U.S.$3.5 billion, plus interest, and the discharge of judgments in the amount of approximately U.S.$5.5 billion. Additional claimants in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “New York District Court”) have entered into settlement agreements, upon payment of the amounts contemplated in such settlements, the claims are to be dismissed.

As of September 30, 2024, the Republic has settled with holders of German law governed bonds for a nominal amount of €750.1 million.

Individual litigation in the United States

As of October 15, 2024, 28 complaints involving bonds defaulted in 2001 with an alleged nominal amount of approximately U.S.$249.5 million were pending in court. In these actions, judgments for a total value of approximately U.S.$483.9 million have been entered involving bonds with a nominal amount of approximately U.S.$175 million. Argentina will seek to resolve these claims via a negotiated settlement. In one case in which the plaintiff received a judgment in December 2020 for $95.4 million, the plaintiff filed a motion for turnover in May 2024, which is pending before the New York District Court.

 

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GDP warrant litigation (United States and United Kingdom)

On March 31, 2024, the New York District Court in the six coordinated U.S. GDP-linked warrants actions for the year 2013 granted the Republic’s summary judgment motion and closed the case. On April 29, 2024, plaintiffs filed their notice of appeal. On August 12, 2024, they filed their opening appeal brief. The Republic is scheduled to file its responsive brief by November 11, 2024.

On July 2, 2024, the Republic moved to dismiss the complaint filed in December 2023 in the U.S. GDP-linked warrants action for years after 2013. On October 22, 2024, the plaintiffs amended their complaint. The Republic is scheduled to answer or move to dismiss the amended complaint by December 23, 2024.

On September 25, 2024, the same group of plaintiffs as in the six coordinated U.S. GDP-linked warrants actions for the year 2013 filed a new complaint in the New York District Court based on purported ownership of 2005 and 2010 GDP-linked warrants, seeking approximately U.S.$1.3 billion for non-payment of amounts allegedly due under such GDP-linked warrants for the year 2013, plus interest. The Republic has time to answer or move to dismiss until November 26, 2024.

On January 18, 2024, the Republic was granted permission to appeal the judgment of the High Court of England rendered in the U.K. GDP-linked warrants litigation to the Court of Appeal of England. On June 12, 2024, the Court of Appeal dismissed the Republic’s appeal. The Republic sought permission to appeal from the U.K. Supreme Court on July 10, 2024. The Supreme Court refused the Republic’s application for permission to appeal on October 14, 2024.

Litigation in Germany

As of October 15, 2024, final judgments entered for a total amount of approximately €121.5 million in principal plus interest and costs in suits on Untendered Debt brought against Argentina in Germany remain unsettled, while claims seeking approximately €940 thousand in principal on defaulted debt, plus interest, have been filed in Germany although no final judgment has yet been rendered.

Litigation in Spain

As of October 15, 2024, three plaintiffs have brought enforcement actions against the Republic in Spain. The total amount sought to be enforced against the Republic across those three cases is approximately €452 million. All three cases are currently being briefed.

ICSID Arbitration

As of October 24, 2024, there were (i) seven final outstanding awards issued by ICSID tribunals against Argentina totaling U.S.$810.8 million, (ii) one ICSID award against Argentina for U.S.$21.7 million pending annulment requested by Argentina, (iii) five ongoing ICSID proceedings against Argentina, with claims totaling U.S.$2.5 billion, and (iv) one suspended ICSID proceeding against Argentina for an unspecified amount. All amounts are approximate and refer to principal, excluding interest and costs.

In the August 24, 2021 action seeking enforcement of an ICSID award in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the Court denied the Republic’s motion to dismiss on August 19, 2024. The petitioner filed a motion for summary judgment on October 4, 2024. The Republic is scheduled to filed its opposition to petitioner’s summary judgment motion on October 25, 2024, and petitioner is scheduled to file its reply on November 4, 2024.

In the action seeking enforcement of an ICSID award in Argentine courts, as of October 24, 2024 the issue of the budgetary provision made by the Government for compliance with the award was on appeal.

Other Arbitration

As of October 24, 2024, there were (i) two final outstanding UNCITRAL awards against Argentina totaling U.S.$7.5 million, (ii) one ICC award for U.S.$67.1 million against Argentina and one UNCITRAL award for U.S.$9.7 million against Argentina pending annulment requested by Argentina, and (iii) four suspended ICC proceedings with claims totaling U.S.$617.2 million.

 

D-14


All amounts described above are approximate and refer to principal, excluding interest and costs.

Other Non-Creditor Litigation in the U.S.

On February 22, 2024, the Republic filed its opening appeal brief in the Second Circuit. The Petersen and Eton Park Entities filed their opposition and cross-appeal brief on March 26, 2024, and the Republic filed its reply brief on July 24, 2024. The appeal is now pending before the Second Circuit.

Enforcement of the New York District Court’s judgement is not stayed. The Republic and the Petersen and Eton Park Entities are engaged in post-judgment discovery proceedings before the New York District Court. Additionally, the Petersen and Eton Park Entities have filed a motion for turnover, which is pending before the New York District Court. They are also seeking recognition of the New York District Court’s judgement in foreign courts.

 

D-15


PRESENTATION OF STATISTICAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

All annual information presented in this Annual Report is based upon January 1 to December 31 periods, unless otherwise indicated. Totals in some tables in this Annual Report may differ from the sum of the individual items in those tables due to rounding.

Unless otherwise stated, prices and figures are stated in current values of the currency presented, and references in this Annual Report to “pesos,” “Ps.” and “ARP” are to Argentine pesos, references to “U.S. dollars” and “U.S.$” are to the currency of the United States of America, references to “euros,” “€” and “EUR” are to the currency of the European Union, references to “CHF” are to Swiss francs and references to “JPY” are to Japanese yens.

Information in this Annual Report that is identified as being derived from a publication of the Republic or one of its respective agencies or instrumentalities is included as public official statements made on the authority of the Republic. Certain statistical information included in this Annual Report is preliminary and is subject to change, completion or amendment.

National Public Accounts

Historically, transfers from the Central Bank and the FGS to the Government were recorded as current fiscal revenue under “other non-tax revenue.” Starting in 2016 (and on a pro forma basis for 2015), the Government classifies income generated by the Central Bank and the FGS as financial revenue that does not form part of the calculation of the primary fiscal balance. See “Public Sector Finances—Introduction.”

Certain Methodologies

CER and CVS. Certain data included in this Annual Report has been adjusted for inflation based on the Coeficiente de Estabilización de Referencia (Stabilization Coefficient, or “CER”), or the Coeficiente de Variación Salarial (“CVS”). CERs are units of account whose value in pesos is indexed to the CPI designated to be used by the Government. The nominal amount of a CER-based financial instrument is converted to a CER-adjusted amount and interest on the financial instrument is calculated on the CER-adjusted balance. CVSs are units of account whose value in pesos is determined based on changes in an index of public and private sector wages. The nominal amount of a CVS-based financial instrument is converted to a CVS-adjusted amount and interest on the financial instrument is calculated on the CVS-adjusted balance. Adjustments and payments on the Republic’s debt indexed to the CER and CVS are not subject to restatement or revision.

Exports. Exports are calculated based upon (i) for purposes of foreign trade, statistics reported to Argentine customs upon departure of goods from Argentina on a FOB basis and (ii) for purposes of the balance of payments accounts, statistics collected on a FOB basis.

Imports. Imports are calculated based upon (i) for purposes of foreign trade, statistics reported to Argentine customs upon entry of goods into Argentina on a cost, insurance and freight included basis (“CIF basis”) and (ii) for purposes of the balance of payments accounts, statistics collected on a free on board (“FOB basis”) at a given departure location.

Inflation. The rate of inflation or inflation rate provides an aggregate measure of the rate of change in the prices of goods and services in the economy. The inflation rate is generally measured by the rate of change in the CPI between two periods unless otherwise specified. The annual percentage rate of change in the CPI as of a particular date is calculated by comparing the index as of that date against the index as of the date twelve months prior. The CPI in Argentina is calculated by INDEC.

Underemployment rate. Underemployment rate represents the percentage of Argentina’s labor force that has worked fewer than 35 hours during the week preceding the date of measurement and seeks to work more.

Unemployment rate. Unemployment rate represents the percentage of Argentina’s labor force that has not worked a minimum of one hour with remuneration or 15 hours without remuneration during the week preceding the date of measurement. The “labor force” refers to the sum of the population in major urban centers across Argentina that has worked a minimum of one hour with remuneration or 15 hours without remuneration during the week preceding the date of measurement plus the population that is unemployed but actively seeking employment.

Balance of Payments. Since 2017, balance of payments statistics are prepared based on the classification criteria set forth in the sixth edition of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). See “Balance of Payments—Overview.”

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report contains forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Republic’s current beliefs, estimates, expectations and projections, including those reflected in the budget bills submitted to Congress. While these forward-looking statements might have been reasonable when formulated, they are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including the potential effects of current events that are not reasonably foreseeable or known at this time, and could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the relevant forward-looking statements. Accordingly, the Republic gives no assurance that actual events will not differ materially from the information included in this Annual Report. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Republic undertakes no obligation to update any of them in light of new information or future events.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. The information contained in this Annual Report identifies important factors that could cause such differences. Such factors include, but are not limited to:

 

   

adverse domestic factors, such as:

 

   

increases in inflation;

 

   

increases in domestic interest rates;

 

   

national or international public health events, including the outbreak of pandemics or contagious diseases, and the potential impact on the economy and the government finances; and

 

   

exchange rate volatility, any of which could lead to lower economic growth or a decrease in Argentina’s international reserves;

 

   

adverse external factors, such as:

 

   

declines in foreign investment, which could deprive the Argentine economy of capital needed for economic growth;

 

   

changes in international prices (including commodity prices) and high international interest rates, either of which could increase Argentina’s current account deficit and budgetary expenses; and

 

   

recession or low economic growth in Argentina’s trading partners, which could decrease exports from Argentina and the country’s international competitiveness, induce a contraction of the Argentine economy and, indirectly, reduce tax revenues and other public sector revenues and adversely affect the country’s fiscal accounts;

 

   

other adverse factors, such as:

 

   

climatic events;

 

   

the outbreak of military hostilities, including the military conflict involving Russia and Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza and disruptions to shipping operations in the Red Sea, and political uncertainty; and

 

   

adverse outcomes in ongoing litigation and arbitration proceedings in several jurisdictions that may lead to new judgments and awards against Argentina.

 

D-17


DATA DISSEMINATION

Argentina subscribes to the Special Data Dissemination Standard (“SDDS”) of the IMF, which is designed to improve the timeliness and quality of information of subscribing member countries. The SDDS requires subscribing member countries to provide schedules indicating, in advance, the date on which data will be released (the so-called “Advance Release Calendar”). For Argentina, precise dates or “no-later-than-dates” for the release of data under the SDDS are disseminated in advance through the Advance Release Calendar, which is published on the Internet under the International Monetary Fund’s Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board. Summary methodologies of all metadata to enhance transparency of statistical compilation are also provided on the Internet under the International Monetary Fund’s Dissemination Standards Bulletin Board. The Internet website is located at http://dsbb.imf.org. The Republic, the Government nor any agents acting on behalf of the Republic or the Government in connection with this Annual Report accepts any responsibility for information included on that website, and its contents are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.

 

D-18


SUMMARY

Selected Economic Information

(in billions of pesos unless otherwise indicated)

 

     For the year ended and as of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

THE ECONOMY:

          

Real GDP (in billions of 2004 pesos)

     Ps. 693.2       Ps. 624.3       Ps. 689.8       Ps. 726.2       Ps. 714.5  

Rate of change from prior year

     (2.0 )%      (9.9 )%      10.4     5.3     (1.6 )% 

Nominal GDP

     21,558.4       27,209.8       46,219.1       82,652.8       191,405.0  

Nominal GDP per capita (in thousands of U.S. dollars)

   U.S.$ 9.9     U.S.$ 8.5     U.S.$ 10.6     U.S.$ 13.7     U.S.$ 13.9  

Inflation (as measured by INDEC)

     53.8     36.1     50.9     94.8     211.4

Unemployment rate

     8.9     11.0     7.0     6.3     5.7

Population(1)

     44.9       45.4       45.8       46.2       46.7  

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

(in billions of U.S. dollars):

          

Current account

   U.S.$ (3.5   U.S.$ 2.7     U.S.$ 6.6     U.S.$ (4.1   U.S.$ (21.0

Of which:

          

Imports of goods

     46.9       40.3       59.3       76.2       69.8  

Exports of goods

     65.2       54.9       78.0       88.5       66.8  

Capital account

     0.3       0.2       0.3       0.2       0.2  

Financial account

     (5.1     1.4       4.5       (7.5     (26.7

Errors and omissions

     (1.9     (1.5     (2.4     (3.6     (6.0

Change in gross international reserves deposited in the Central Bank

     (21.4     (7.7     (0.1     6.9       (21.7

Gross international reserves deposited in the Central Bank

     44.8       39.4       39.7       44.6       23.1  

PUBLIC FINANCE:

          

Revenues

     3,852.3       4,699.0       8,516.4       14,523.0       31,115.9  

As a % of GDP

     17.9     17.3     18.4     17.6     16.3

Primary Expenditures

     3,947.5       6,448.9       9,496.6       16.183.9       36,280.5  

As a % of GDP

     18.3     23.7     20.5     19.6     19.0

Primary fiscal balance

     (95.1     (1,750     (980     (1,660     (5,164

As a % of GDP

     (0.4 )%      (6.4 )%      (2.1 )%      (2.0 )%      (2.7

Overall fiscal balance

     (819.4     (2,292.8     (1,664.5     (3,152.8     (8,418.5

As a % of GDP

     (3.8 )%      (8.4 )%      (3.6 )%      (3.8 )%      (4.4 )% 

PUBLIC DEBT (including arrears)

(in billions of U.S. dollars):

          

Peso-denominated debt

   U.S.$ 71.6     U.S.$ 79.0     U.S.$ 107.9     U.S.$ 131.2     U.S.$ 103.8  

Foreign-currency denominated debt

     251.4       256.6       255.4       265.4       266.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross public debt

   U.S.$ 323.1     U.S.$ 335.6     U.S.$ 363.2     U.S.$ 396.6     U.S.$ 370.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross debt (including arrears and Untendered Debt) as a % of GDP

     89.8     103.8     80.8     85.0     156.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross debt (including arrears and Untendered Debt) as a % of Government revenues

     455.6     440.2     397.2     478.0     936.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

In millions. INDEC projections based on the census conducted in 2010. For 2023, information is based on provisional results from the census conducted in 2023. As of the date of this Annual Report, INDEC estimates a total population of 46.7 million.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

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THE REPUBLIC OF ARGENTINA

Map of Argentina

 

LOGO

Territory and Population

The Republic of Argentina consists of 23 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires. Located in the southeastern region of South America, Argentina is the second largest country in Latin America and the eighth globally in terms of territory, covering approximately 3.8 million square kilometers (1.5 million square miles), including territorial claims in the Antarctic region (covering approximately 970,000 square kilometers) and to certain south Atlantic islands (covering approximately 5,000 square kilometers), excluding the recently recognized extension by Argentina’s sovereign rights in the South Atlantic Ocean. See “—Foreign Affairs and International Organizations—The Malvinas Sovereignty Dispute” and “—Foreign Affairs and International Organizations—Continental Shelf.”

The most densely inhabited areas and the main agricultural regions of the country are located on the wide temperate belt that stretches across central Argentina. The country’s population as of 2022 was an estimated 45.9 million, based on information from the most recent census conducted on such year. During the period from 2010 to 2022, Argentina’s population grew at an estimated average annual rate of 1.1%, based on information from the 2022 census.

 

D-20


Based on information from the 2010 census, as of 2010, approximately 89.9% of the population of Argentina lived in urban areas and approximately 31.9% of the population (12.8 million people) lived in the City of Buenos Aires and the heavily populated urban area surrounding the City of Buenos Aires, known as the Greater Buenos Aires Area. As of 2010, approximately 98.1% of the population over the age of 10 and older was literate.

The table below sets forth comparative gross national income (“GNI”) figures and selected other comparative statistics using the most recent year for which such comparative information is available.

Population

 

     Argentina     Brazil     Chile     Colombia     Mexico     Peru     United
States
 

Per capita GNI(1)

   U.S.$ 12,520     U.S.$ 9,070     U.S.$ 15,820     U.S.$ 6,870     U.S.$ 12,100     U.S.$ 6,990     U.S.$ 80,300  

Life expectancy (in years)(2)

     76.1       73.4       79.5       73.7       74.8       73.4       77.4  

Infant mortality (% of live births)(2)

     0.84     1.25     0.54     1.06     1.10     1.17     0.54

Adult literacy rate (% of population age 15 or older)(3)

     98.1     94.7     97.2     95.6     95.2     94.5     n.a.  

 

(1)

Data as of 2023.

(2)

Data as of 2022.

(3)

Data as of 2020, except for Argentina (2010, percentage of population age 10 or older), Brazil and Chile (2022).

n.a. = not available.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators and INDEC.

Government

The Argentine Constitution, first adopted in 1853, provides for a tripartite system of government divided into an executive branch headed by the President, a legislative branch consisting of a bicameral Congress, and a judicial branch headed by the Supreme Court of Justice. The Constitution was last amended in 1994. Each province and the City of Buenos Aires has its own constitution and the people of each province elect a governor and legislators who are independent from the Government. The Government may directly intervene in the administration of the provincial governments in certain emergency situations, including, to secure the republican form of government and in the case of foreign invasions.

Executive Branch

The president and vice president are directly elected for a four-year term, may serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms and may be re-elected after one term out of office. The president oversees the administration of the country and has the power to veto laws in whole or in part. Congress may override a presidential veto by a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber. The Jefatura de Gabinete de Ministros (Office of the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers) is responsible for the administration of the country and prepares the Government’s annual budget, which is subject to congressional approval. The president chooses the chief of the Cabinet of Ministers, who may be removed by the vote of an absolute majority of both houses of Congress. All references in this Annual Report to the “Executive Power” are to the executive branch as described herein.

Congress

Congress is composed of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies.

The Senate. There are a total of 72 senate seats, with three for each province and three for the City of Buenos Aires. Of the three senators from each district, two represent the party receiving the most votes in that district, and the third represents the party receiving the second-most votes. Senators are elected by popular vote to serve for six-year terms. Elections are held for one-third of the senate seats every two years. The last Senate elections were held in October 2023.

The Chamber of Deputies. The Chamber of Deputies consists of 257 seats, which are allocated in proportion to each district’s population. Deputies are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. Elections for half of the seats are held every two years. The last elections for seats in the Chamber of Deputies were held in October 2023.

 

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Judicial System

The judicial system is composed of federal and provincial trial courts, courts of appeal and the Supreme Court of Justice (“Supreme Court”) which has up to five justices.

The Consejo de la Magistratura (“Judicial Council”) consists of an independent panel of lawyers, representatives of the judiciary, legislators, a representative of the executive branch and an academic. This body oversees the administration of the judicial branch, the initiation of impeachment proceedings against judges other than Supreme Court justices and the selection of judges. The Jurado de Enjuiciamiento (Jury of Prosecution) decides proceedings initiated by the Judicial Council to remove judges.

The president appoints all Supreme Court justices subject to Senate approval. All federal court judges are also appointed by the president subject to Senate approval, but they must be selected from a list of individuals submitted by the Judicial Council. Supreme Court justices and all federal court judges are subject to a mandatory retirement age of 75. All judicial appointments must be approved by two-thirds of the Senate. Pursuant to a presidential decree, candidates’ identities and certain additional information are published, and the executive branch provides for a period of public comment on each nomination before it is submitted to the Senate.

As of the date of this Annual Report, the Supreme Court had four confirmed sitting justices. Mr. Rosatti assumed as Chief Justice on October 1, 2021.

Recent Political History

Argentina has been under uninterrupted civilian rule since 1983, when the last military government came to an end due to poor economic management and the loss of a brief war with the United Kingdom over the Islas Malvinas. In 1983, Raúl Alfonsín was elected president. In 1989, Raúl Alfonsín was succeeded as president by Carlos Menem, who was re-elected in 1995 to a four-year term following the 1994 constitutional amendments that reduced the presidential term to four years from six.

After a decade of relative stability, Argentina faced an unprecedented social, economic and political crisis beginning in 2001 and 2002. See “The Argentine Economy—Background and Recent Economic History.” During this crisis, Argentina’s economy contracted significantly and poverty and unemployment reached record levels. The administration of President Fernando de la Rúa, who took office in December 1999, was unable to restore economic growth and during the second half of 2001, the deepening economic recession fueled rising social unrest.

Ongoing widespread riots and protests forced President de la Rúa and his entire cabinet to resign on December 19 and 20, 2001. Between December 2001 and January 2002, Congress appointed four successive presidents pursuant to the Constitution, including Eduardo Duhalde, who called for elections to be held on April 27, 2003, prior to the scheduled expiration of his term. Néstor Kirchner, former governor of the province of Santa Cruz, was elected and sworn in as president on May 25, 2003. President Kirchner’s term expired on December 10, 2007.

On October 28, 2007, Cristina E. Fernández de Kirchner, from the Frente para la Victoria (Front for Victory) faction of the Peronist Party and President Kirchner’s wife, was elected president. On October 23, 2011, President Fernández de Kirchner was re-elected for a second four-year term, which ended on December 10, 2015.

On November 22, 2015, Mauricio Macri, the candidate from the Cambiemos alliance, was elected president for a four-year term, which ended on December 10, 2019.

On October 27, 2019, Mr. Alberto Fernández, the candidate from the Frente de Todos coalition, was elected president for a four-year term, which ended on December 10, 2023.

Mr. Javier Milei was elected president in the national presidential elections that took place in Argentina on October 22, 2023, for the first rounds, and November 19, 2023, for the run-off election. Mr. Javier Milei obtained approximately 55.65% of the votes in the run-off and took office on December 11, 2023.

 

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Political Parties

The following are Argentina’s main national political coalitions:

 

   

La Libertad Avanza (Freedom Moves Forward), a party formed by President Milei for the October 2021 congressional elections.

 

   

Union por la Patria (Union for the Motherland), a coalition of several parties, including primarily:

 

   

Partido Justicialista (“PJ”), or Peronist Party, founded by President Juan D. Perón in the 1940s, which includes the following factions:

 

   

Unidad Ciudadana (Citizen’s Union), formerly Frente para la Victoria (Front for Victory) and Frente de Todos (Front for All); and

 

   

Frente Renovador (Renewal Front, or “FR”), founded in 2013 as a split-off from the PJ. For the 2015 presidential elections, the FR and the former governor of the province of Córdoba, Juan Manuel de la Sota, formed the Unidos por una Nueva Alternativa (“UNA”) coalition.

 

   

Unión Propuesta Republicana (Republican Proposal Union, or “PRO”), a political alliance that emerged in Argentina in 2007 composed of the following parties: Propuesta Republicana (Republican Proposal) (formerly Compromiso para el Cambio), Unión del Centro Democrático (UCeDé) (Union of the Democratic Center), Recrear para el Crecimiento (Recreating for Growth), Partido Federal (Federal Party), Unión Celeste y Blanco (Blue and White Union), Partido Popular Cristiano Bonaerense (Christian People’s Party of Buenos Aires) and Partido Nuevo Buenos Aires (New Buenos Aires Party).

 

   

Unión Cívica Radical (Radical Civic Union);

 

   

Encuentro Federal (Federal Meeting), formerly Hacemos Coalición Federal, which is composed of Hacemos por Nuestro País (We Do For Our Country) (comprised by sectors of the province of Córdoba{s PJ, the Partido GEN (GEN Party), the Partido Socialista (Socialist Party), among others) and Cambio Federal (Federal Change); and

 

   

Coalición Cívica (Civic Coalition, or “ARI”).

Juntos por el Cambio, formerly Cambiemos, an alliance formed by the PRO, Radical Civic Union and Coalición Cívica (Civic Coalition, or “ARI”), which participated in the 2023 election, split during 2024. This led to a shift in the relationship of political forces in Congress and allowed the ruling party to enter into certain parliamentary agreements with certain sectors of the PRO and the Radical Civic Union to advance its legislative agenda.

In addition, certain provincial political parties, such as Innovacón Federal (Federal Innovation) and Encuentro Federal, have an important representation in Congress, although they are in a context of parliamentary minority.

On October 22, 2023, presidential and congressional elections took place in Argentina and, in November 19, 2023, there was a run-off presidential election. Mr. Javier Milei obtained approximately 55.65% of the votes in the run-off and took office on December 11, 2023, followed by Sergio Massa (Frente de Todos), who obtained 44.35% of the votes. In the congressional elections, candidates of Unión Por la Patria lost 13 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and two seats in the Senate, La Libertad Avanza obtained seven additional seats in the Chamber of Deputies and seven additional seats in the Senate, Juntos por el Cambio (formerly Cambiemos) lost 23 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and nine seats in the Senate, and the rest of the political parties saw no variation in their Chamber of Deputies participation, while they obtained four additional seats in the Senate.

The following table shows the party composition of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate following the elections in the years specified.

 

     Chamber of Deputies(1)      Senate(2)  
     2019      2021      2023      2019      2021      2023  

Party:

                 

Unión Por la Patria (formerly Frente de Todos)(3)

     119        118        105        41        35        33  

Juntos por el Cambio(4)

     116        116        93        25        33        24  

La Libertad Avanza

     —         2        38        —         —         7  

Others(5)

     22        21        21        6        4        8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     257        257        257        72        72        72  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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(1)

Composition of the Chamber of Deputies as of December 10 of each year specified, the date on which the deputies elected during such year took office.

(2)

Composition of the Senate as of December 10 of each year specified.

(3)

In the 2021 elections, the Frente Renovador began to form part of the Bloque Frente de Todos. In the 2023 elections, the bloc participated as Unión por la Patria.

(4)

Alliance that included (i) PRO, (ii) Radical Civil Union and (iii) ARI, and which split in 2024.

(5)

Includes other registered parties, primarily represented by one legislator each, and certain local political parties of the provinces.

Source: Senate and Chamber of Deputies of Argentina.

The next simultaneous and mandatory primary elections and the national presidential and congressional elections are scheduled for October 2027 and October 2025, respectively.

Foreign Affairs and International Organizations

Argentina maintains diplomatic relations with a variety of countries and is a member of several international organizations. Argentina is a charter member of the United Nations, a founding member of the Organization of American States (“OAS”), and a member of the following international organizations, among others:

 

   

the International Monetary Fund;

 

   

the World Bank Group;

 

   

the International Finance Corporation;

 

   

the IADB;

 

   

the CAF;

 

   

the FONPLATA;

 

   

the Central American Bank for Economic Integration;

 

   

the International Fund for Agricultural Development;

 

   

the WTO;

 

   

the International Labor Organization;

 

   

the Financial Action Task Force and the GAFISUD;

 

   

the International Association of Insurance Supervisors;

 

   

the International Organization of Securities Commissions;

 

   

the World Customs Organization; and

 

   

the ALADI.

G-20

Argentina has been a member of the G-20, an informal forum that promotes discussion between developed and emerging-market countries on key issues related to the global economy, since it was established in 1999. The G-20 is a key forum for international economic cooperation among its members.

Bilateral Investment Treaties (“BITs”)

Argentina is a party to 48 BITs currently in force and to a trade agreement with Chile, which includes an investment chapter with an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism. Following the 2001/2002 crisis and the underlying measures adopted by the Government to address the crisis, several arbitration proceedings have been brought by investors against Argentina before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (“ICSID”), in accordance with ICSID Arbitration Rules and UNCITRAL Rules, and before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, under various BITs. As of the date of this Annual Report, most of these cases had either been decided or settled. See “Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—ICSID Arbitration” and “—Other Arbitration.”

 

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The Financial Stability Board

The Financial Stability Board (“FSB”) is an international body that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system. The FSB seeks to strengthen financial systems and increase the stability of international financial markets; it does so by coordinating with its members’ national financial authorities and international standard-setting bodies as they work toward developing strong regulatory, supervisory and other financial sector policies to promote international financial stability. The FSB aims to foster a level playing field by encouraging consistent implementation of these policies across sectors and jurisdictions. Argentina has been a member of the FSB since its creation in 2009, represented by the Central Bank.

G-24

Argentina has been a member of the Group of Twenty-Four since the Intergovernmental Group of Twenty-Four on International Monetary Affairs and Development (G-24) was established in 1971. The purpose of the group is to coordinate the position of developing countries on monetary and development issues, particularly issues on the agendas of the IMF Committee and the Development Committee, and to ensure increased representation and participation of developing countries in negotiations on international monetary system reform.

MERCOSUR

Argentina is a founding member of the Southern Common Market (“MERCOSUR”), established in March 1991 with Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as full members or the “Member States.” In July 2012, the founding members (other than Paraguay) admitted the Republic of Venezuela as a full member of MERCOSUR, and in December 2013, Paraguay acknowledged Venezuela’s status as a full member. On December 2, 2016, Venezuela’s status as a full member was temporarily suspended by the other Member States, after it was considered to have failed to implement MERCOSUR regulations in the established four-year period, in accordance with the undertakings assumed in 2012 in connection with its admission to MERCOSUR. On August 5, 2017, the founding members extended Venezuela’s suspension in furtherance of MERCOSUR’s democratic clause. On August 7, 2024, the Protocol of Accession of Bolivia to MERCOSUR became effective, making it a “member State” and providing the country with a four-year period to gradually adopt MERCOSUR’s regulations. Bolivia’s participation in the institutional structure of MERCOSUR will be gradual, following the principle of equal rights and obligations. Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana and Suriname are “Associate States” of MERCOSUR. Approximately 80% of the regional trade is free from tariffs.

Under the MERCOSUR Treaty, the founding members of MERCOSUR pledged:

 

  (1)

to establish a common market with free movement of goods, services and factors of production by eliminating or significantly reducing, in some cases over a period of years, import duties, tariffs and other barriers to trade among members;

 

  (2)

to establish common external tariffs for trade with non-members, and

 

  (3)

to adopt a common trade policy towards third countries and blocs.

With the aim of transforming the region into a customs union, in December 1994, the founding members of MERCOSUR agreed to implement a common external tariff. The common external tariff regime took effect on January 1, 1995. In 2022, the structure and categories of the common external were updated. However, through the adoption of certain special import regimes, each member can exclude certain products from the common external tariff and establish differentiated tariffs. In 2021, the validy of such special regime allowing for such exceptions was extended until 2030.

MERCOSUR members have not yet fully harmonized technical regulations and tariffs exceptions as well as national trade regimes in order to advance in a policy of no border controls.

MERCOSUR has created regional bodies and institutions that aim to further develop the integration process between its members, encompassing several areas such as, energy, transport, communications, education, health, social development, justice, science and technology. MERCOSUR residents also benefit from special residency and work permit regimes within the territory of members of the bloc and associated states.

In December 2019, MERCOSUR members entered into a “Trade Facilitation Agreement” to streamline and simplify intra-regional trade and level the playing field conditions regarding products originating outside of MERCOSUR. Brazil ratified the agreement in October 2024. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Congress’s approval ratification pending.

On July 20, 2022, MERCOSUR members agreed to reduce the common external tariff for a number of goods by 10%.

 

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On June 28, 2019 and August 23, 2019, MERCOSUR concluded in principle negotiations (i) for an association agreement with the European Union, including a free trade area and commitments in cooperation and (ii) for a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EFTA. In July 2022, negotiations for a free trade agreement with Singapore were concluded in substance. As of the date of this Annual Report, the Congress’s approval ratification pending.

As of the date of this Annual Report, MERCOSUR has commenced discussions with Canada, South Korea, Lebanon, and Indonesia to enter into free trade agreements. Simultaneously, MERCOSUR has engaged in informal talks with India and Israel, with the aim of updating existing agreements. MERCOSUR has recently started negotiations with the United Arab Emirates and El Salvador. Moreover, discussions have started with the Dominican Republic and Vietnam in order to define the terms to launch possible negotiations. In addition, MERCOSUR developed a formal cooperation scheme with the Pacific Alliance.

For recent information on MERCOSUR, see “Recent Developments—Foreign Affairs and International Organizations—MERCOSUR.”

BRIC’s Bloc

On June 1, 2023, the President of the New Development Bank formally informed the Minister of Economy that the BRIC’s Board is willing to evaluate the integration of several countries as new members, including Argentina. In August 2023, the BRIC’s Board agreed to invite Argentina to join the bloc. In December 2023, the Government formally informed that, at this instance, the incorporation of the Republic as a full member of the BRIC block as of January 1, 2024, was not considered appropriate.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

In June 2017, Argentina applied to become a member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (“AIIB”), which has as its purpose financing energy, transport and telecommunications projects involving its members. The subscription of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s shares was approved by Congress in November 2020 and Argentina was admitted as a non-regional member on March 30, 2021. As of the date of this Annual Report, Argentina is in the process of approving its first project with the AIIB in Tierra del Fuego Province, which loan agreement and sovereign guarantee are expected to be executed in 2025.

Agreements with China

In February 2022, the Republic and China entered into a memorandum of understanding within the framework of the Silk Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road Initiative aims to boost cooperation and connectivity between countries through both land and oceanic routes. The initiative seeks to develop a platform to stimulate trade and investment, market integration and economic cooperation between regions. In the medium term, this memorandum intends to boost bilateral trade in goods and services, and increase investments for the productive sector and for the development of technological capabilities.

In addition to the memorandum on the Silk Belt and Road Initiative, the Republic and China entered into thirteen different inter-institutional cooperation documents relating to different matters, including green development, digital economy, space development, technology and innovation, education and university cooperation, agriculture, earth sciences, public media and nuclear energy.

In June 2023, the Republic and China signed a cooperation agreement to promote the joint construction of the Silk Belt and Road Initiative. The agreement is expected to deepen the Republic and China’s cooperation on certain areas such as infrastructure, energy, economy and trade. In October 2023, the Republic and China entered into a memorandum of understanding for the establishment of a working group for the promotion of the Silk Belt and Road Initiative and the implementation of the cooperation agreement.

According to the memorandum, financing for strategic infrastructure projects in Argentina will consist of two tranches. The first tranche covers projects agreed upon during the fifth meeting of the Strategic Dialogue for Economic Cooperation and Coordination (DECCE) in January 2022, which has already been approved. The second tranche will support projects listed in the Priority Projects and Tasks of the Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation Plan, signed on June 2, 2023.

In October 2024, the “Agreement between the Argentine Republic and the People’s Republic of China for the Elimination of Double Taxation with Respect to Income and Wealth Taxes and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance and its Protocol,” signed in Buenos Aires on December 2, 2018, was officially approved by law.

 

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The Malvinas Sovereignty Dispute

After taking office in December 2023, the Milei administration reaffirmed Argentina’s constitutional mandate for the recovery of the full exercise of sovereignty over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas by peaceful means and respecting the way of life of the islands’ inhabitants.

The Republic reaffirms its legitimate sovereignty rights over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime areas, which are an integral part of its national territory and are under illegitimate British occupation since 1833.

The United Nations has recognized the existence of a sovereignty dispute between the Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding the “Question of the Malvinas Islands” through General Assembly resolution 2065 (XX) and subsequent resolutions, which call upon both parties to solve the dispute through direct negotiations in order to reach a peaceful solution to the problem. The matter of the Malvinas Islands has been defined by the UN as a special and particular colonial situation which differs from most others, where the principle of self-determination does not apply nor has ever been recognized to be applicable by any of the UN resolutions on the matter. Furthermore, many regional and international organizations have reiterated the importance of Argentina and the United Kingdom complying with the provisions of Resolution 31/49 of the General Assembly, which reiterates its requests to the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to expedite the negotiations concerning the dispute over sovereignty and calls upon both parties to refrain from taking decisions that would imply introducing unilateral modifications into the situation while the condition of the islands is the subject of the negotiations.

The Republic has shown a constructive stance and willingness to achieve, through negotiations, a peaceful and definitive solution to this conflict. As of the date of this Annual Report, the United Kingdom had not accepted to resume negotiations towards a peaceful resolution of the sovereignty dispute.

Continental Shelf

On April 21, 2009, the Republic submitted the outer limit of the continental shelf to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS), a technical body created by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), based in New York.

The Republic conducted in-depth and thorough scientific and technical tasks, which allowed it to determine the outer limit of its continental shelf. This work provides certainty about the geographical extent of its sovereign rights over the resources in the seabed and subsoil along more than 1,785,000 km2 of Argentine continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, which are added to the approximately 4,898,000 km2 located between the baselines and the 200 nautical miles.

On March 11, 2016 and on March 17, 2017, the CLCS adopted by consensus the recommendations on the Argentine submission regarding the outer limit of its continental shelf, which comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas that extend beyond the territorial sea throughout the natural extension of the Argentine territory.

The CLCS recommendations have not been contested by any country. With regard to the continental shelf of the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands, the CLCS –in accordance with Annex I of its Rules of Procedure– postponed its analysis of the limit of the continental shelf submitted by the Republic in such area until the sovereignty dispute has been resolved. The CLCS has also postponed the consideration of the Antarctic continental shelf, taking into account the special territorial status set forth by the Antarctic Treaty dated December 1, 1951 (as amended), to which Argentina is a party.

By not pronouncing itself on the area surrounding the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands, the Commission acknowledged the existence of a sovereignty dispute between Argentina and the United Kingdom.

On August 4, 2020, Congress unanimously enacted legislation delimiting the outer limit of the Argentine continental shelf on the basis of the Republic’s submissions before the CLCS and the recommendations of such commission. The CLCS recommendation and Argentina’s affirmation of rights over the continental shelf are expected to have a beneficial economic impact insofar as, according to Article 77 of the UNCLOS, the coastal state has sovereign rights over the continental shelf with respect to exploration and exploitation of natural resources of the seabed and subsoil.

 

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THE ARGENTINE ECONOMY

Background and Recent Economic History

Background

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Argentina enjoyed a period of great prosperity, with per capita GDP rising to the level of many Western European countries. During this period of growth, Argentina’s economy relied heavily on sustained international demand for its agricultural commodity exports.

The onset of the Great Depression and World War II, however, brought dramatic changes in the Argentine economy as a decline in world trade deprived the country of its main source of revenue. The Government responded to these developments with a major shift in economic policy, adopting a model of state-led capitalism and import-substitution, and increasing state intervention in the economy.

Beginning in the 1940s, the Government nationalized many basic industries and services and raised import barriers in a bid to make Argentina self-sufficient in industry and agriculture and to shelter its economy from foreign competition. Government involvement in sectors ranging from oil and electricity to telecommunications and financial services became significant.

Although in the 1950s a new era of worldwide prosperity began, the Government’s role in the economy remained significant and Argentina experienced relatively low growth in comparison with other developing countries.

Although manufacturing had become the largest component of the economy by the mid-1970s, the country’s exports continued to be dominated by agricultural products. During this period, the Argentine economy grew continuously at substandard levels.

In 1976, the de facto Government began to shift away from the import-substitution model, lowering import barriers and liberalizing restrictions on foreign borrowings. The adoption of a crawling-peg exchange rate regime by the Central Bank induced appreciation of the peso and incurrence of external indebtedness by the public and private sectors between 1977 and 1981.

From 1981 through 1990, economic growth was undermined by political instability, large subsidies of state-owned enterprises, high inflation, periodic depreciations of the currency, an inefficient tax collection system, and inefficient production. The average annual real GDP contraction for this period was 0.7%. The Government financed its fiscal deficits during this period primarily through Central Bank credit and loans from foreign bilateral and multilateral creditors. The increase in Central Bank credit to the Government resulted in unchecked increases in the money supply that led to high levels of inflation. From 1981 through 1990, average annual inflation was 876.0%. Additionally, in 1982 the Government defaulted on its external debt.

During the 1980s, the Government adopted several economic plans in an effort to stabilize the economy. While these plans achieved some initial success, they ultimately failed to increase productivity and competitiveness in the economy. These factors, combined with high levels of inflation, frequent changes in Government policy and financial market instability, prevented the Argentine economy from achieving real growth.

Liberalization of the Economy. In mid-1989, the second democratically elected government since the restoration of democracy in 1983, led by President Menem, inherited an economy suffering from hyperinflation and in deep recession. Relations with external creditors were strained, commercial bank debts had been subjected to two restructurings and were again accumulating past-due interest, IMF and World Bank programs had lapsed and payments to the World Bank and the IADB were frequently late. The immediate objectives of the Menem administration were to stabilize prices and improve relations with external creditors.

Following several unsuccessful efforts to stabilize the economy and end hyperinflation, the Menem administration adopted an economic program that sought to liberalize the economy and impose monetary discipline. The new economic program, which came to be known as the Convertibility Regime, was anchored on the Convertibility Law of 1991 and related measures. Its principal features were the following:

 

   

a fixed exchange rate regime that pegged the peso to the U.S. dollar and tied the monetary base to international reserves, limiting the Central Bank’s monetary policy tools;

 

   

privatization, deregulation and trade liberalization programs; and

 

   

the improvement of relations with external creditors (including by refinancing a substantial portion of the Government’s debt with private creditors through the Brady restructuring in 1992).

The Convertibility Regime and the Government’s free-market initiatives temporarily achieved price stability, increased the efficiency and productivity of the Argentine economy and attracted significant foreign investment. Real GDP grew 9.1% in 1991 and 7.9% in 1992. From 1993 through 1998, real GDP grew at an average annual rate of 4.8%, despite a 2.8% contraction in 1995 largely attributable to the capital flight triggered by the Mexican financial crisis of 1994.

 

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The Convertibility Regime, however, had significant shortcomings, including the following:

 

   

Inflexible monetary policy. By stripping the Central Bank of its monetary discretion, the Convertibility Regime limited the use of monetary policy to stimulate the economy in response to downturns in economic activity.

 

   

Dependence on foreign capital. Any sharp reduction of foreign capital inflows, often triggered by factors beyond the Government’s control, threatened untimely contractions of the money supply. Argentina’s dependence on foreign capital was heightened by the opening of the Argentine economy to foreign trade, which resulted in significant trade deficits, and by the Government’s recurring fiscal deficits, which were heavily financed with foreign capital.

 

   

Vulnerability to external shocks. The dependence on foreign capital, coupled with the lifting of state controls on capital flows, made the Argentine economy vulnerable to external shocks.

 

   

Over-reliance on certain economic sectors. As a result of the real appreciation of the peso and the peso’s peg to the U.S. dollar, economic growth during this period was driven by the services sector, and in particular the financial and public services sectors, with production-based manufacturing and industrial sectors lagging behind. In addition, any contribution from the agricultural sector from increased volume of production was offset by declining international commodity prices.

 

   

Rising unemployment. Despite economic growth, the relative slow growth in labor intensive sectors such as construction and manufacturing increased unemployment levels.

The shortcomings of the Convertibility Regime became evident during the economic downturn triggered by the Mexican financial crisis of 1994. The collapse of Mexico’s crawling-peg exchange rate undermined investors’ confidence in emerging markets and raised doubts about the sustainability of the Convertibility Regime. This loss of confidence triggered a sharp reduction in net capital inflows, which turned into net capital outflows in 1995, causing a liquidity crisis in the Argentine banking system. As a result, Argentina experienced its first economic contraction since the Convertibility Regime had been implemented.

Following the Mexican crisis, Argentina’s economy resumed the levels of growth it had recorded in the first half of the 1990s. From 1996 through 1998, GDP increased at an annual average rate of 5.8%. However, the Government relied heavily on borrowings, first from external sources and ultimately from the local banking system and the newly-organized private pension funds, to finance the deficit. Beginning in the last quarter of 1997, external factors, including regional financial crises in Asia and Russia, rising U.S. interest rates and falling commodity prices, caused the capital flows to turn negative, economic activity to decline sharply, ultimately precipitating the economic crisis of 2001.

The Crisis and Beginning of Recovery: 2001 and 2002

During the last six months of 2001, the growing perception that a devaluation of the peso was imminent triggered a massive run on bank deposits and a significant acceleration of capital flight from the Argentine economy. Total deposits in the Argentine banking system fell by 20.3% in the last six months of 2001 and the Central Bank’s international reserves fell by 42.1% in the same period.

In a last bid to safeguard the Convertibility Regime and avert the collapse of the banking sector, in December 2001, the Government imposed strict per-person, per-month limits on bank withdrawals (known as the corralito), effectively limiting the ability of depositors to withdraw approximately U.S.$60 billion in peso and dollar demand deposits from the financial system. It also imposed strict foreign exchange restrictions in Argentina. Shortly thereafter, the Government announced that it would defer interest and principal payments on a substantial portion of the Government’s debt.

Massive social unrest led to the early resignation of President de la Rúa’s administration and triggered a political crisis that culminated with the designation of Mr. Eduardo Duhalde as president in January 2002. Congress passed the Public Emergency and Reform Law of 2002 (the “Public Emergency Law”) which formally terminated the parity between the peso and the U.S. dollar and brought the Convertibility Regime to an end. Through the enactment of the Public Emergency Law and a series of decrees, the Duhalde administration took the following measures:

 

   

ratified the suspension of payments of Argentina’s sovereign debt except for debt with multilateral credit agencies;

 

   

eliminated the dual exchange rate system adopted immediately following the end of the Convertibility Regime and replaced it with a single exchange rate that allowed the value of the peso to float against other currencies, resulting in a 240.1% increase in the U.S. dollar-peso exchange rate in 2002;

 

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ordered the “asymmetric” conversion into pesos (known as “pesification”) of certain U.S. dollar-denominated assets and liabilities at the following exchange rates: Ps.1.00 per U.S.$1.00 for private sector debt (individual and corporate U.S. dollar-denominated debt) with financial institutions and other creditors, Ps.1.40 per U.S.$1.00 for all U.S. dollar-denominated public sector debt instruments in the portfolios of national and provincial financial institutions’ portfolios and Ps.1.40 per U.S.$1.00 for all U.S. dollar-denominated bank deposits;

 

   

amended the charter of the Central Bank to allow it to print currency, make certain short-term advances to the Government and act as a lender of last resort to financial institutions experiencing liquidity difficulties; and

 

   

imposed further restrictions on bank withdrawals until December 2002, which effectively froze all term deposits and subjected them to mandatory restructuring.

Additionally, further restrictions on foreign exchange transactions were introduced in 2002, including:

 

   

limits on the amount of U.S. dollars that could be withdrawn per month from bank accounts;

 

   

limits on transfers of foreign currency outside of Argentina; and

 

   

restrictions on foreign trade transactions.

The economic crisis peaked during the first six months of 2002. During this period, economic activity collapsed with the largest contraction in the level of economic activity in Argentine history, fiscal revenues fell, inflation rose significantly and the financial system’s liquidity crisis worsened. In addition to the controls over the foreign exchange market, the Government imposed mandatory repatriation of export proceeds. Strict foreign exchange controls, together with a significant surplus in the country’s trade balance, ensured a supply of foreign currency to the market and resulted in the appreciation of the peso in the second half of the year.

By the middle of 2002, the policy of combining the sale of international reserves with the tightening of controls over the foreign exchange market and capital movements succeeded in stabilizing the peso. As the domestic currency stabilized, inflationary pressures declined. This, combined with the expansion of the monetary base, permitted a gradual stabilization of interest rates, which had sharply increased following the end of the Convertibility Regime.

During the last six months of 2002, real GDP contraction had slowed to 6.7%, as compared to the last six months of 2001, and Argentina recorded a U.S.$5.0 billion surplus in its current account. As of December 31, 2002:

 

   

the peso had appreciated to Ps.3.36 per dollar, compared to a low of Ps.3.87 on June 26, 2002;

 

   

inflation, as measured by INDEC, was 8.0% for the six month period ended December 31, 2002, compared to 30.5% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2002. In 2002, inflation, as measured by INDEC was 40.9% and as measured by the WPI was 118.0%, compared to the more than 240.1% loss in the value of the peso when compared to the U.S. dollar during that year; and

 

   

the Central Bank’s international reserves had increased to U.S.$10.5 billion, from U.S.$9.6 billion on June 30, 2002.

Despite the improvement in economic conditions during the last six months of 2002, overall GDP declined 10.9% for the year compared to 2001.

To prevent the continued appreciation of the peso, the Central Bank eased certain of the foreign exchange restrictions imposed between November 2002 and January 2003. The improved economic conditions, in particular the reduction in capital flight from the Argentine economy, also allowed the Government to begin lifting restrictions on bank withdrawals in November 2002.

By the end of 2002, the economy seemed to have bottomed out from the crisis and the recession that began in 1998. However, the recovery was set against extremely depressed levels of economic activity, similar to those of the early 1990s. In addition, the recovery was the result of a set of economic policies aimed mainly at managing the crisis, but failed to include structural reforms needed to generate sustainable long-term economic growth. In December 2002, poverty levels stood at 42.3% of the households and 54.3% of the population.

2003-2007

The economic recovery that began in the last six months of 2002 continued during 2003, with GDP growing by 8.8% in 2003. This improvement was primarily a result of a growth in demand for Argentine exports, increased domestic production spurred by improved consumer and investor confidence and the substitution of imported products with domestic products. During 2003, quasi-currencies (treasury bonds issued by the Argentine provinces during the economic crisis) were withdrawn from circulation and restrictions on bank deposits were lifted. In the same year, renewed confidence in the financial system was evidenced by a 24.0% increase in nominal terms in total bank deposits.

 

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During this period, the Government anchored it policies on three pillars:

 

   

the gradual recovery of real wages;

 

   

the use of fiscal policy to enhance the growth of domestic markets and domestic consumption and promote wealth distribution taking advantage of the rising export commodity prices; and

 

   

the use of multiple exchange rates and pricing regulations to redirect extraordinary export revenues with a view to developing local industrial capacity.

As a result of the combination of policies, the Argentine economy grew continuously in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 at rates of 9.0% (representing the rate of change from 2003 to 2004, calculated using data published by INDEC prior to June 29, 2016), 8.9%, 8.1% and 9.0%, respectively. During this period, the gross international reserves of the Central Bank increased to U.S.$46.2 billion as of December 31, 2007, compared to U.S.$14.1 billion as of December 31, 2003. The Kirchner administration’s fiscal and trade policies generated a fiscal surplus (mainly through an increase in tax collections contributed by a tax on exports) as well as a trade surplus. Inflationary pressures increased in 2007 and through mid-2008 as a result of growing demand and continued supply constraints.

2008-2015

Commencing in 2008, the Government continued, and over time expanded, the economic policies initiated after the 2001 crisis, including fiscal and monetary policies aimed at maintaining economic growth rates, as well as price controls, tariff limits, subsidies and export taxes.

The strong economic rebound experienced by Argentina between 2003 and 2007 began to fade during the first half of 2008. In March 2008, the introduction of additional variable export taxes on agricultural products intended to be assessed on gains generated by increases in international prices of certain export commodities sparked a five-month conflict with farmers that brought important sectors of the economy in certain regions of the country to a standstill. Argentina experienced episodes of bank deposit withdrawals and capital outflows in 2008. The Central Bank raised interest rates to limit capital outflows from Argentina just as the economic downturn set in, which, in turn, exacerbated the downturn in the economy. By the third quarter of 2008, the Argentine economy began to experience a downturn that was aggravated by the escalation of the global financial crisis. In November 2008, Congress approved a law reforming the private pension system in Argentina, under which the assets held by private pension funds, including equity interests in a wide range of listed companies, were transferred to a separate fund as part of a new public system administered by the ANSES. Among other policy objectives, the measure sought to direct domestic savings to the financing of domestic economic activity and investment, as an alternative to international markets during a critical period.

Argentina’s economy, like that of many other countries, was affected by the global financial crisis. Real GDP contracted by 10% between the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009. By mid-2009, public finances had rapidly deteriorated, with public expenditures growing at double the pace of revenue during the first half of the year as the Government sought to limit the effects of the recession. Although economic activity began to recover during the fourth quarter of 2009 due, in large part, to growth in industrial activity, public finances continued to weaken. Extraordinary revenue, including social security contributions and public transfers from government agencies such as the Central Bank and ANSES, played a key role in supporting the 19% rise in total public sector revenue in 2009, with resources channeled to the extension of two anti-poverty programs—a family allowance for formal sector workers earning less than a monthly threshold and income support for informal sector workers and the unemployed, among other measures. In late 2009, the Government decreed that certain foreign reserves held by the Central Bank would be made available for external debt payments.

Inflationary pressures rose in early 2010 ,and the Central Bank provided financing to the Government to cover a portion of the fiscal deficit. At the same time, the economy began to show signs of recovery, as industrial output increased. The Argentine economy grew by 10.1% in 2010, reaching the highest growth level since 2005. In contrast, the current account deteriorated during 2010, with the current-account surplus falling from U.S.$8.2 billion in 2009 to a deficit of U.S.$1.5 billion in 2010, as the trade surplus, a key source of foreign currency, narrowed by more than 20% in 2010.

In June 2010, the Government conducted the 2010 Debt Exchange to restructure Untendered Debt, with an acceptance rate of 81%. Although approximately 92% of Argentina’s debt defaulted in 2001 was restructured through the 2005 and 2010 Debt Exchanges, an aggregate principal amount of approximately U.S.$6.1 billion of Untendered Debt remained outstanding following these debt restructuring initiatives and litigation with the holdout creditors continued.

Starting in 2011, Argentina’s economy evidenced structural constraints adversely affecting its balance of payments. The demands for imported parts by the automobile industry and the electronic products industry in Tierra del Fuego, increasing demand for imported capital goods, the need to service foreign debt, and continued remittances by residents to non-residents strained the Central

 

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Bank’s international reserves. In addition, the growing economy encountered energy supply constraints, which were result of under-investment by the oil and gas industry and lead to Government-arranged imports of energy to avoid a deceleration of economic activity. A decision was made to recover the initiative in a vital sector of the economy which lead to the approval by Congress, in May 2012, of the administration’s bill to expropriate 51% of the shares of the country’s largest oil company, YPF S.A. (“YPF”), which was majority-owned by Spain’s Repsol S.A. (“Repsol”). Between 2008 and 2011, subsidies to the energy and transport sectors had increased by 156%, while the energy foreign trade deficit grew.

The Central Bank continued its expansionary monetary policy in 2011, particularly through its purchases of foreign currency and lending to the Treasury. The Central Bank additionally continued its sterilization efforts to support the peso through the issuance of Central Bank notes (Lebacs and Nobacs). The public sector recorded a deficit of Ps.30.7 billion in 2011 (1.4% of GDP) compared to a public-sector surplus of Ps.3.1 billion in 2010 (0.2% of GDP).

The Government introduced a series of capital and foreign-exchange controls during the fourth quarter of 2011 intended to reduce capital outflows. During the 12-month period ending in December 2011, capital outflows were estimated to have reached U.S.$25 billion, or nearly half of the Central Bank’s foreign reserves at the beginning of the year. As a result, demand for U.S. dollars increased, leading to an increase in the gap between the official and unofficial exchange rates.

Argentina also began to experience energy shortages in 2011, following years of limited investment in the energy sector, as well as the electricity and natural gas tariff-freeze maintained since 2002 as part of the Government’s emergency measures.

In April 2012, the Government announced an amendment to the Central Bank’s charter, which increased its discretion in policymaking and provided the Government with additional tools to intervene in the financial system, including in pursuit of its new aim of promoting economic growth with social equity.

In mid-2012, restrictions on the purchase of foreign currency were introduced. The Government’s attempts to shore up foreign reserves were primarily driven by its dual goals of accumulating U.S. dollars to service its external debt obligations and maintaining a buffer to avoid a currency run in the event of a deterioration of global market conditions or sharp slowdown of domestic economic activity.

There was a marked deceleration of economic activity in 2012, as real GDP contracted by 1.0%, compared to an expansion of 6.0% in 2011. During 2012, the primary fiscal balance fell sharply to a deficit of Ps.4.4 billion –the first deficit since 1996– from a surplus of Ps.4.9 billion in 2011, as expansionary fiscal policies that relied in part on Central Bank financing failed to prevent an economic slowdown and a decrease in tax revenue growth. The overall fiscal deficit represented an estimated 2.1% of GDP in 2012.

In June 2013, the Government announced an increase in social transfers through two programs providing child allowances to households based on certain income thresholds. In an ongoing attempt to stem inflation, in June 2013, the Government announced price freezes that covered approximately 500 products (including food, beverages, cleaning products and toiletries) for an initial three-month period, which was subsequently extended through a series of price freezes into 2014. The economy recovered growth in 2013, as real GDP grew 2.4% compared to the previous year.

In January 2014, the Central Bank allowed the peso to lose 8.2% of its value compared to the U.S. dollar in one day—the largest correction to occur in a single day since the 2001-2002 crisis– as international reserves fell below U.S.$30 billion. Shortly thereafter, the Government announced an easing of certain foreign-exchange controls. In an effort to tame inflation, the Government also launched the Precios Cuidados program in January 2014, which established price controls on a broad range of basic household and other products.

The Government took steps to regain access to the international financial market, including the negotiation of an agreement with the Paris Club (concluded in May 2016) and settlements with foreign investors that had obtained arbitral awards following the measures adopted during 2001/2002 economic crisis and the settlement with Repsol. These initiatives were not sufficient. In June 2014, an order of the New York District Court in the on-going litigation with hold out creditors of pre-2001 bonds prevented the Government from making payments to holders of certain of its bonds issued pursuant to the 2005 and 2010 Debt Exchanges (the “2005 and 2010 Exchange Bonds”) under New York law. This event prevented Argentina from regaining access to the international capital markets, thereby increasing the risk of a balance-of-payment crisis.

A trend in declining industrial output that began in the third quarter of 2013 continued through 2014, as the country’s manufacturing, mining and utilities sectors faced an erosion of consumer and business confidence, social unrest, continued high inflation, increased pressure on the currency, and waning demand from Argentina’s biggest export market, Brazil. In 2014, total expenditure growth outpaced revenue growth, primarily as a result of an increase in the Government’s social benefit and pension payments. As a result, the overall fiscal deficit rose to Ps.109.7 billion, representing a 70% increase compared to 2013. In total, primary spending rose by 41.8%, with transfers to the private sector, particularly in the form of energy subsidies and social aid, driving this expansion. Real GDP contracted by 2.5% in 2014.

 

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With global capital markets closed to Argentina, a trade surplus fueled by high international commodity prices remained the main source of foreign currency reserves for the Central Bank for over a decade. However, exports were undermined in 2014 by a decrease in external competitiveness, falling commodity prices and an economic slowdown in Brazil, Argentina’s primary market for manufactured exports. In total, export earnings fell by 10% in 2014, and the trade surplus narrowed to U.S.$6.0 billion. Capital inflows during 2014, including through currency swap agreements entered into by the Central Bank with the People’s Bank of China, increased international reserves.

Continued growth in public sector spending contributed to a modest recovery of the Argentine economy beginning in the first quarter of 2015. Despite a deceleration of inflation, monetary expansion accelerated in the first half of 2015. During 2015, the monetary supply rose by 30.2%, compared to a 20.5% increase in 2014. The difference between 2014 and 2015 reflected a change in the Central Bank’s sterilization policy: in 2014, the Central Bank sterilized Ps.94.6 billion and raised interest rates on Lebacs, whereas sterilization fell significantly to Ps.8.7 billion during 2015 as a decrease in the Lebac rate reduced investments by the financial system in Central Bank notes. Seeking to boost consumption, in July 2015, the minimum wage was increased by 31.4%—the first major increase since September 2014.

By mid-2015, China had become an important trading partner (as Argentina’s second-largest export destination after Brazil) and source of foreign exchange. As a result, the depreciation of the Renminbi led the Government to tighten further foreign-exchange controls in August 2015, with a view to protecting its international reserves and avoiding a currency crisis.

2015-2019

Following the change of administration in December 10, 2015, the Government sought to overcome Argentina’s fiscal and balance of payments constraints announcing and implementing economic and policy reforms intended to enhance sustainable development, ensuring macroeconomic stability through fiscal balance, increasing trade with third countries and strengthening the Central Bank. These measures included foreign trade and foreign exchange reforms, financial and fiscal policy measures, energy sector reforms, measures intended to address certain socio-economic needs and increase the productivity and competitiveness of the Argentine economy.

The 28.6% depreciation of the peso in December 2015 and the elimination of all foreign exchange controls ultimately lead to an increase in inflation, which ended 2016 with an annual rate of increase in the WPI of 36.6%, while real GDP contracted by 2.1%. During 2017, the economy recovered and real GDP grew by 2.8%. The peso remained relatively stable and inflation decreased to 24.8% (compared to a target of 17% set by the Central Bank). The increasing tension between the expressed objective of reducing inflation by tightening monetary policies and the desire to promote economic growth was resolved by the Government in favor of relaxing monetary policies and increasing the inflation target by 5% to 15% for 2018. Holders of financial instruments denominated in pesos, including a significant amount of non-resident investors, divested their holdings in favor of foreign currency assets, which were transferred overseas.

In respect of foreign trade and foreign exchange, the Government first eliminated export duties on wheat, corn, beef, mining, oil and regional products, and reduced the duty on soybean exports by 5%, from 35% to 30%. A 5% export duty on most industrial exports was also eliminated. In 2017, the Government eliminated import duties on computers, computer parts and ancillary products (such as printers and scanners). See, however, “—Factors Affecting the Argentine Economy in 2018 and 2019 and Measures Adopted in Response.” The Government also eliminated the restrictions on access to the foreign exchange market and all foreign exchange restrictions, including certain currency controls introduced in prior years, which lead to an increase in the vulnerability in the financial account. See “—Factors Affecting the Argentine Economy in 2018 and 2019 and Measures Adopted in Response.” In September 2019, the Central Bank re-introduced restrictions on foreign currency transactions. See “Monetary System—Foreign Exchange and International Reserves—Foreign Exchange.”

The Government also relied heavily on foreign financing. Between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018, the Government raised financing in the international market through the issuance of global bonds and a series of sale and repurchase transactions.

The Government’s main initiatives with regard to fiscal policy between 2016 and 2017 included a pension reform in 2016 (see “Public Sector Finances—Social Security—Retiree Programs and Ley de Reforma Previsional (Pension Reform Law)”), a tax reform in 2017, intended to eliminate certain loopholes and inefficiencies of the Argentine tax regime, diminish evasion, increase the coverage of income tax as applied to individuals and encourage investment while sustaining Argentina’s medium- and long-term efforts aimed at restoring fiscal balance (see “Public Sector Finances—Tax Regime”) and an agreement in 2017 known as the Consenso Fiscal (the “2017 Fiscal Consensus”) with 23 of Argentina’s sub-sovereign jurisdictions (22 provinces and the City of

 

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Buenos Aires) that included a commitment to lowering distortive taxes by 1.5% of GDP over a five year period (2018-2022), a waiver by the 23 signatories of lawsuits against the federal government and a compensation to the province of Buenos Aires of Ps.21.0 billion in 2018, Ps.44.0 billion in 2019 and an amount equal to Ps.44.0 billion adjusted by inflation from 2020 forward in exchange for the elimination of the recurrent federal government contributions to the Fondo del Conurbano Bonaerense (Greater Buenos Aires Area Fund).

To alleviate the impact of adverse conditions on certain social sectors, the Government implemented (i) an expansion of the base of beneficiaries of child-allowances; (ii) the harmonization of Universal Child Allowance with local programs to permit eligibility for more than one program and increases in the amounts of the allowances under the program; (iii) refunds of VAT paid on the purchase of certain staples (such as food, clothing and cleaning supplies) by retirees that receive minimum pensions and individuals receiving the Universal Child or pregnancy allowance, (iv) an increase in the limit on annual income for those eligible for the Monotributo Social program; (v) programs to enhance opportunities to complete studies and gain training in a variety of fields; (iv) the adjustment of income tax brackets to account for the impact of inflation; and (vii) the strengthening of other social programs. Following the depreciation of the peso that occurred on August 12, 2019, the Government adopted various measures granting relief to the lower income segments of the population.

In addition, the Government implemented several measures aimed at increasing the productivity, competitiveness and transparency of the Argentine economy.

Factors Affecting the Argentine Economy in 2018 and 2019 and Measures Adopted in Response

During the first five months of 2018, the Argentine economy was affected by a severe drought that led to a sharp decline in agricultural production and export revenue, while world energy prices increased and global access to financing became tighter through the appreciation of the U.S dollar and an upward shift in the U.S. yield curve. These factors negatively affected the peso, which lost 25.6% of its value vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar between January 2 and May 31, 2018, generated market concerns regarding the Central Bank’s ability to roll-over its short–term debt and resulted in a marked increase in Argentina’s sovereign risk premium. Argentina’s fiscal imbalances, its dependence on foreign revenues to cover its fiscal deficit, and rigidities that have historically limited the ability of the economy to absorb and adapt to external factors, added to the severity of the economic downturn and undermined investor confidence. Between January and June 2018, the international reserves of the Central Bank decreased by approximately U.S.$15.4 billion.

In June 2018, the Government announced a 36-month precautionary Stand-By Arrangement (the “SBA”) with the IMF and other financing agreements with multilateral organization. See “—Agreements with the IMF.” In spite of the SBA inflation did not abate, net international reserves continued to decrease, the current account deficit remained high and other program targets were not met. In August 2018, after the peso lost 21.3% of its value vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar over a period of 20 days, the Government requested (i) an augmentation of access under the SBA, (ii) a front-loading of access into 2018-2019 (instead of 2020-2021) and (iii) that the domestic counterpart of the access drawn under the SBA be made available to support budget needs.

In furtherance of the program agreed with the IMF, the Government announced a series of measures aimed at achieving a primary fiscal balance in 2019 and a primary fiscal surplus in 2020 and to reorganize the public administration. The measures announced included a combination of initiatives to reduce public sector expenditures and initiatives to increase public sector revenues.

The Central Bank, in turn, tightened its monetary policies by raising interest rates and decelerating monetary growth while allowing the peso to float freely within a non-intervention zone. See “—Monetary System—Monetary Policy.”

During 2019, the recession that had begun in the second quarter of 2018 continued. In 2019, GDP contracted by 2.1%. Further, the Central Bank’s gross international reserves decreased to U.S.$44.8 billion as of December 31, 2019 (a U.S.$20.9 billion decrease compared to gross international reserves as of December 31, 2018). This decrease is mainly explained by an outflow of Argentine portfolio investments held by non-residents in Argentina and the acquisition of foreign financial assets by Argentine residents, which accumulated U.S.$31.2 billion in 2019.

Notwithstanding the continued and strong contraction in economic activity, inflation accelerated during 2019, reaching 53.8% year-on-year in December 2019. Despite the economic activity contraction, the unemployment rate decreased to 8.9% in 2019, compared to 9.1% in 2018. In addition, poverty and extreme poverty levels increased to 35.5% and 8.0% of the population, respectively, in the second half of 2019.

The recession lead to an improvement of the Republic’s balance of payments. In 2019, the current account deficit decreased to U.S.$4.0 billion, mainly as a result of a 25.0% decrease in imports of goods and a 5.4% increase in exports of goods. The balance of goods and services went from registering a deficit of U.S.$9.7 billion in 2018 to a U.S.$13.0 billion surplus during 2019.

 

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Agreements with the IMF

On June 7, 2018, Argentina’s then Ministry of Economy, the Central Bank and the IMF staff reached an understanding on the terms of the SBA for disbursements totaling approximately U.S.$50 billion, which was approved by the IMF’s Executive Board on June 20, 2018. The SBA was intended to provide support to the Macri administration’s economic program. On June 22, 2018 the Government made a first drawing of approximately U.S.$15 billion under the SBA.

Following the execution of the SBA, in August 2018, Argentina faced an unexpected bout of volatility affecting emerging markets generally. On October 26, 2018, in light of the adjustments to fiscal and monetary policies announced by the Government and the Central Bank, the IMF’s Executive Board allowed the Government to draw the equivalent of U.S.$5.7 billion, bringing total disbursements since June 2018 to approximately U.S.$20.6 billion, approved an augmentation of the SBA increasing total assets to approximately U.S.$57.1 billion for the duration of the program through 2021 and the front loading of the disbursements. Under the revised SBA, IMF resources for Argentina in 2018-19 increased by U.S.$18.9 billion. IMF disbursements for the remainder of 2018 more than doubled compared to the original IMF-supported program, to a total of U.S.$13.4 billion (in addition to the U.S.$15 billion disbursed in June 2018). The resources available in the program were not expected to be treated as precautionary and the Government’s request made in 2018 that the IMF financing be used for budget support was granted. Between January 1 and July 10, 2019, the Government drew U.S.$16.2 billion under the SBA, with the last disbursement taking place on July 2019. On September 22, 2021, Argentina repaid the first principal installment under the SBA of U.S.$1.9 billion.

On March 25, 2022, the Republic signed a 30-month Extended Fund Facility agreement (“EFF”) with the IMF for 31.9 billion SDRs (approximately U.S.$44 billion) to refinance the SBA. See “Public Sector Debt—Debt Owed to Financial Institutions—IMF.”

2020-2023

In 2020, the Government introduced a series of measures to address a public emergency in economic, financial, fiscal, administrative, pensions, tariff, energy, health and social matters. In particular, these included measures to (i) ensure the sustainability of Argentina’s public sector debt, (ii) implement an integral renegotiation of energy tariffs with the relevant utilities companies, (iii) increases in income tax, personal assets tax, credit and debit in banks tax, export and import duties and social security tax rates, and (iv) increases in minum wages. However, the Government’s efforts were laregely derailed with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Measures Designed to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic

In late December 2019, a novel form of pneumonia first noticed in Wuhan, Hubei province (COVID-19, caused by a new strain of coronavirus) was reported to the World Health Organization, with cases soon confirmed in multiple provinces in China, as well as in other countries. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the COVID-19 as a pandemic.

In 2020 and 2021, Argentina adopted several measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic aimed at preventing mass contagion and overcrowding of Argentine health service facilities, which include:

 

   

The imposition of nation-wide mandatory lockdown, whereby only exceptional and essential activities and internal travel were allowed, between March and June 2020. Thereafter, the mandatory lockdown was temporarily maintained only in those jurisdictions most affected by the pandemic, while other jurisdictions were made subject to mandatory social distancing.

 

   

Stronger surveillance of Argentine borders; mandatory isolation for 14 days of persons with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 or persons in close contact with suspected or confirmed cases or from affected zones; closure of activities with high concentration of persons; school closures (except for food assistance and administrative purposes); temporary work leave for pregnant women, people older than 60 years and other persons considered subject to a special risk upon infection; authorization for federal public employees to work remotely (other than employees providing essential services); promotion of home office policies in the public and private sector.

 

   

The construction of eight modular hospitals throughout the country.

 

   

The acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines.

Simultaneously, the Government implemented several stimulus measures to mitigate the economic effects of the abovementioned measures, including measures involving direct transfers, partial payment of private sector wages, interest rate subsidies for loan lines, credit injection, guarantees for companies taking loans from the financial system and tax reductions and exemptions, among others. In 2020, the fiscal and financial package implemented by the federal non-financial public sector to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic represented an amount equal to approximately 6.5% of GDP, of which 3/4 pertains to measures that have an impact on the Government’s finances and 1/4 is accounted for by measures related to credit lines.

 

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Further, the Government provided additional resources to the provinces to help them mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The measures included contributions from the Treasury amounting to Ps.67.2 million in the aggregate and other transfers for Ps.53.1 million in the aggregate. In addition, financial assistance through the Fondo Fiduciario para el Desarrollo Provincial (Provincial Development Trust Fund) amounted to 0.3% of GDP, or Ps.70.3 million. As for credit injection measures, the non-financial public sector made a range of subsidized and guaranteed credit lines available for an amount equal to approximately 2.0% of GDP.

During 2021, the Government implemented several measures to protect employment, strengthen the health system, promote social inclusion and sustain the income of households and companies that were particularly affected by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fiscal and financial package implemented in 2021 by the federal non-financial public sector to mitigate the effects of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic represented an amount equal to approximately 1.8% of GDP (or approximately Ps.820 million) and included expenditures related to (i) the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines; (ii) contributions to lower income groups, including through the Universal Child Allowance and the Pregnancy Allowance, the Card to Feed, the Empowering Work program, assistance to certain single-taxpayers, purchase of food by the Ministry of Social Development and the Progress and Potenciar Inclusión Jóvenes (Empower Youth Inclusion) scholarships; (iii) programs aimed at assisting companies that experienced financial distress as a result of their own activity or external factors affecting their production; (iv) promoting demand for tourism services by relaunching programs aimed at stimulating tourism during months of lower activity, opening tourist health centers and implementing programs for the protection of workers and SMEs of the sector; and (v) strengthening the Plan Argentina Hace (Argentina Acts Plan), which promotes small-scale infrastructure works with rapid execution and high impact on demand for local employment.

In 2022 and 2023, the Government focused its policies on promoting a sustainable growth of the economy, generating employment, strengthening conditions to reduce inflation and increasing minimum monthly wages. In addition, the Government introduced a series of measures aimed at increasing reserves and investments in the Republic, including (i) a special foreign exchange rate for soybean producers to liquidate soybean exports, (ii) an agreement with the automobile industry for the implementation of a mechanism whereby companies that increased exports paid zero pay export duties for the portion corresponding to the increment, (iii) a project to develop offshore gas in the coasts of the province of Tierra del Fuego, with private investments amounting to U.S.$700 million, (iv) the commencement of infrastructure projects aimed at doubling the transportation capacity of the Vaca Muerta-Bahía Blanca pipeline, including the conclusion of the construction of the Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline connecting the provinces of Neuquén and Buenos Aires (see “—Role of the State in the Economy—Energy Sector Reforms”), and (v) the granting of Ps.30.0 billion in credits aimed at boosting investments in SMEs that provide services in the Vaca Muerta region.

The Milei Administration

The Milei administration took office with the objectives of lowering inflation, increasing employment levels and real income, and creating a sustained improvement in the quality of life of the population. The Government’s economic program is anchored on two pillars: (i) guaranteeing macroeconomic stability and reducing bureaucracy, and (ii) simplifying trade and other economic transactions. The first pillar is focused on guaranteeing financial equilibrium in the non-financial public sector and eliminating the need to finance the public sector deficits through net indebtedness or monetary issuance, and is intended to be achieved through measures aimed at permanently reducing expenditures and imposing temporary tax increases. The second pillar is focused on the implementation of measures and reforms aimed at promoting productive development through the integration of Argentina’s economy to the global markets and an increase in levels of transparency and competitiveness. In this regard, the Government implemented (i) foreign trade measures, aimed at reducing import costs, boosting exports, facilitating transactions, eliminating import permits, reducing import tariffs and taxes, and simplifying non-tariff measures and procedures; and (ii) domestic trade measures, with the objective of normalizing trade, promoting competition, protecting consumers, eliminating price and quantity controls, simplifying domestic trade, modernizing antitrust regulations, improving means of payment, promoting self-regulation, and updating standards and controls on fair trade.

Gross Domestic Product

GDP is a measure of the total value of final products and services produced in a country. Nominal GDP measures the total value of final production in current prices. Real GDP measures the total value of final production in constant prices of a particular year, thus allowing historical GDP comparisons that exclude the effects of inflation. Argentina’s real GDP figures are measured in pesos and are based on constant 2004 prices, as revised in the INDEC Report. Among other adjustments, in calculating GDP for 2004, INDEC made changes to the composition of GDP that resulted in an upward adjustment of approximately 8.4% for that year. In calculating real GDP for subsequent years based on the revised GDP for 2004, INDEC used deflators that are consistent with its revised methodology to calculate inflation.

 

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The information set forth below in this section has been derived from statistics included in the INDEC Report.

The following table sets forth the evolution of nominal GDP and per capita GDP for the periods specified, at current prices.

Evolution of Nominal GDP and Per Capita GDP

(at current prices)

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022(3)      2023(3)  

Nominal GDP (in millions of pesos)(1)

   Ps. 21,558,444      Ps. 27,209,814      Ps. 46,219,084      Ps. 82,652,824      Ps. 191,404,997  

GDP (in millions of U.S. dollars)(1)

   U.S.$ 446,878      U.S.$ 385.,440      U.S.$ 485,921      U.S.$ 631,859      U.S.$ 648,364  

Per capita GDP(1)

   U.S.$ 9,944      U.S.$ 8,494      U.S.$ 10,608      U.S.$ 13,666      U.S.$ 13,897  

Peso / U.S. dollar exchange rate(2)

     48.24        70.59        95.12        130.81        295.21  

 

(1)

GDP figures in this table are expressed in nominal terms. Since population figures based on the census conducted in 2022 are preliminary, information in this table was calculated using INDEC’s population projections based on the 2010 census.

(2)

Average nominal exchange rate for the period specified.

(3)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-37


The following tables set forth information on Argentina’s real GDP, by expenditure, for the periods specified, at constant 2004 prices.

Composition of Real GDP by Expenditure

(in millions of pesos, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022(1)     2023(1)  

Consumption:

          

Public sector consumption

   Ps. 90,749     Ps. 88,915     Ps. 95,249     Ps. 98,078     Ps. 99,584  

Private consumption

     494,230       434,076       475,166       519,614       525,024  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consumption

     522,990       570,415       617,692       624,608       522,990  

Gross investment

     119,247       103,666       38,930       154,432       151,353  

Exports of goods and services

     161,344       133,210       144,470       151,124       139,771  

Imports of goods and services

     167,484       138,659       164,392       193,698       197,066  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net exports/(imports)

     (6,140     (5,449     (19,922     (42,573     (57,295

Changes in inventories

     (4,606     3,384       387       (1,779     2,355  

Statistical discrepancy

     —        —        —        (1,609     (6,558
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Valuable Objects(2)

     (257     —        —        —        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Real GDP

   Ps. 693,224     Ps. 624,591     Ps. 689,810     Ps. 726,162     Ps. 714,464  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Preliminary data.

(2)

Includes goods of considerable value that are not primarily used for production or consumption purposes, but are maintained over time as value deposits, including stones and precious metals and jewelry.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Composition of Real GDP by Expenditure

(as % of total real GDP, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022(1)     2023(1)  

Consumption:

          

Public sector consumption

     13.1     14.2     13.8     13.5     13.9

Private consumption

     71.3       69.5       68.9       71.6       73.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consumption

     84.4       83.7       82.7       85.1       87.4  

Gross investment

     17.2       16.6       20.1       21.3       21.2  

Exports of goods and services

     23.3       21.3       20.9       20.8       19.6  

Imports of goods and services

     24.2       22.2       23.8       26.7       27.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net exports/(imports)

     (0.9     (0.9     (2.9     (5.9     (8.0

Changes in inventories

     (0.7     0.5       0.1       (0.2     0.3  

Statistical discrepancy

     —        —        —        (0.2     (0.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Valuable Objects(2)

     —        —        —        —        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Real GDP

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Preliminary data.

(2)

Includes goods of considerable value that are not primarily used for production or consumption purposes, but are maintained over time as value deposits, including stones and precious metals and jewelry.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-38


Evolution of Real GDP by Expenditure

(% change from previous year, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022(1)     2023(1) (1)  

Consumption:

          

Public sector consumption

     (6.4 )%      (2.0 )%      7.1     3.0     1.5

Private consumption

     (6.1     (12.2     9.5       9.4       1.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consumption

     (6.2     (10.6     9.1       8.3       1.1  

Gross investment

     (16.0     (13.1     34.0       11.2       (2.0

Exports of goods and services

     9.8       (17.4     8.5       4.6       (7.5

Imports of goods and services

     (18.7     (17.2     18.6       17.8       1.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net exports/(imports)

     (89.6     (11.2     265.6       113.7       34.6  

Changes in inventories

     (539.7     (173.5     (88.6     (559.9     (232.4

Statistical discrepancy

     —        —        —        —        307.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Real GDP

     (2.0 )%      (9.9 )%      10.4     5.3     (1.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

The following tables set forth information on Argentina’s gross investment, by expenditure, for the periods indicated, at constant 2004 prices.

Composition of Gross Investment

(in millions of pesos, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019      2020(3)      2021      2022(3)      2023(1)  

Natural Resources and others(1)

   Ps. 913      Ps. 887      Ps. 1,038      Ps. 1,153      Ps. 1,268  

Durable equipment for production

              

Machinery and equipment:

              

National

     17,963        18,705        25,234        28,526        27,462  

Imported

     31,641        27,097        36,316        44,728        39,749  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     49,604        45,802        61,550        73,254        67,210  

Transport products

              

National

     6,330        7,035        10,976        12,188        14,881  

Imported

     3,073        3,208        3,646        3,403        3,121  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     9,403        10,243        14,622        15,590        18,002  

Total durable equipment for production

     59,007        56,045        76,172        88,845        85,212  

Construction(2)

     59,327        46,735        61,719        64,434        64,873  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross investment

   Ps. 119,247      Ps. 103,666      Ps. 138,930      Ps. 154,432      Ps. 151,353  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes research and development and cultivated biological resources.

(2)

Includes mining exploration.

(3)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-39


Composition of Gross Investment

(as % of total Gross Investment, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022(3)     2023(1)  

Natural Resources and others(1)

     0.8     0.9     0.7     0.7     0.8

Durable equipment for production

          

Machinery and equipment:

          

National

     15.1       18.0       18.2       18.5       18.1  

Imported

     26.5       26.1       26.1       29.0       26.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     41.6       44.2       44.3       47.4       44.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transport products

          

National

     5.3       6.8       7.9       7.9       9.8  

Imported

     2.6       3.1       2.6       2.2       2.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     7.9       9.9       10.5       10.1       11.9  

Total durable equipment for production

     49.5       54.1       54.8       57.5       56.3  

Construction(2)

     49.8       45.1       44.4       41.7       42.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross investment

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes research and development and cultivated biological resources.

(2)

Includes mining exploration.

(3)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Evolution of Gross Investment

(% change from previous year, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022(3)     2023(1)  

Natural Resources and others(1)

     (4.7 )%      (2.9 )%      17.1     11.1     9.9

Durable equipment for production

          

Machinery and equipment:

          

National

     (18.6     4.1       34.9       13.0       (3.7

Imported

     (21.7     (14.4     34.0       23.2       (11.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (20.6     (7.7     34.4       19.0       (8.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Transport products

          

National

     (32.9     11.1       56.0       11.0       22.1  

Imported

     (49.2     4.4       13.7       (6.7     (8.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (39.3     8.9       42.7       6.6       15.5  

Total durable equipment for production

     (24.3     (5.0     35.9       16.6       (4.1

Construction(2)

     (5.7     (21.2     32.1       4.4       0.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross investment

     (16.0 )%      (13.1 )%      34.0     11.2     (2.0 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes research and development and cultivated biological resources.

(2)

Includes mining exploration.

(3)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-40


Principal Sectors of the Economy

The following tables set forth the composition of Argentina’s real GDP by economic sector for the periods specified.

Real GDP by Sector

(in millions of pesos, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022(3)      2023(1)  

Primary production:

              

Agriculture, livestock, game and forestry

   Ps. 53,949      Ps. 50,119      Ps. 50,706      Ps. 49,165      Ps. 37,482  

Fishing

     2,423        2,017        2,402        2,451        2,293  

Mining and extractives (including petroleum and gas)

     21,571        19,323        21,149        23,755        25,754  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total primary production

     77,943        71,459        74,256        75,371        65,529  

Secondary production:

              

Manufacturing

     108,352        100,013        115,785        121,137        118,584  

Construction

     21,174        16,435        21,210        22,437        22,659  

Electricity, gas and water

     12,107        12,282        12,684        13,021        12,930  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total secondary production

     141,633        128,730        149,679        156,594        154,173  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Services:

              

Transportation, storage and communications

     56,737        47,111        50,415        54,425        53,972  

Trade, hotels and restaurants

     95,500        85,441        97,858        105,973        106,712  

Financial, real estate, business and rental services

     99,945        95,475        101,863        105,664        105,964  

Public administration, education, health, social and personal services

     102,923        89,929        98,486        103,424        105,674  

Domestic services(1)

     4,362        3,547        3,697        4,061        4,122  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total services

     359,468        321,504        352,319        373,546        376,443  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Plus import duties (2)

     114,180        102,899        113,555        120,651        118,318  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real GDP

   Ps. 693,224      Ps. 624,591      Ps. 689,810      Ps. 726,162      Ps. 714,464  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes services completed by domestic workers including caretakers, domestic servants and private drivers.

(2)

The production figures in this table do not include duties assessed on imports used in production, which must be taken into account for purposes of determining real GDP. Import duties for purposes of determining real GDP are recorded under this line item.

(3)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-41


Real GDP by Sector

(as a % of real GDP, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022(3)     2023(1)  

Primary production:

          

Agriculture, livestock, game and forestry

     7.8     8.0     7.4     6.8     5.2

Fishing

     0.3       0.3       0.3       0.3       0.3  

Mining and extractives (including petroleum and gas)

     3.1       3.1       3.1       3.3       3.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total primary production

     11.2       11.4       10.8       10.4       9.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Secondary production:

          

Manufacturing

     15.6       16.0       16.8       16.7       16.6  

Construction

     3.1       2.6       3.1       3.1       3.2  

Electricity, gas and water

     1.7       2.0       1.8       1.8       1.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total secondary production

     20.4       20.6       21.7       21.6       21.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Services:

          

Transportation, storage and communication

     8.2       7.5       7.3       7.5       7.6  

Trade, hotels and restaurants

     13.8       13.7       14.2       14.6       14.9  

Financial, real estate, business and rental services

     14.4       15.3       14.8       14.6       14.8  

Public administration, education, health, social and personal services

     14.8       14.4       14.3       14.2       14.8  

Domestic services(1)

     0.6       0.6       0.5       0.6       0.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total services

     51.9       51.5       51.1       51.4       52.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Plus import duties(2)

     16.5       16.5       16.5       16.6       16.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real GDP

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes services completed by domestic workers including caretakers, domestic servants and private chauffeurs.

(2)

The production figures in this table do not include duties assessed on imports used in production, which must be taken into account for purposes of determining real GDP. Import duties for purposes of determining real GDP are recorded under this line item.

(3)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-42


Real GDP Growth by Sector

(% change from previous year, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022(3)     2023(1)  

Primary production:

          

Agriculture, livestock, game and forestry

     23.4     (7.1 )%      1.2     (3.0 )%      (23.8 )% 

Fishing

     (10.1     (16.7     19.1       2.1       (6.4

Mining and extractives (including petroleum and gas)

     1.4       (10.4     9.5       12.3       8.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total primary production

     15.1       (8.3     3.9       1.5       (13.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Secondary production:

          

Manufacturing

     (6.2     (7.7     15.8       4.6       (2.1

Construction

     (4.2     (22.4     29.1       5.8       1.0  

Electricity, gas and water

     (3.1     1.4       3.3       2.7       (0.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total secondary production

     (5.6     (9.1     16.3       4.6       (1.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Services:

          

Transportation, storage and communication

     (0.7     (17.0     7.0       8.0       (0.8

Trade, hotels and restaurants

     (6.8     (10.5     14.5       8.3       (0.7

Financial, real estate, business and rental services

     (3.9     (4.5     6.7       3.7       (0.3

Public administration, education, health, social and personal services

     (0.1     (12.6     9.5       5.0       2.2  

Domestic services(1)

     4.8       (18.7     4.2       9.8       1.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total services

     (3.1     (10.6     9.6       6.0       0.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Plus import duties less adjustment for banking service(2)

     (3.9     (9.9     10.4       6.2       (1.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real GDP

     (2.0  )%      (9.9 )%      10.4     5.3     (1.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes services completed by domestic workers including caretakers, domestic servants and private chauffeurs.

(2)

The production figures in this table do not include duties assessed on imports used in production, which must be taken into account for purposes of determining real GDP. Import duties for purposes of determining real GDP are recorded under this line item.

(3)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

In 2019, real GDP decreased by 2.0%. This contraction was the result of a 16.0% decrease in gross investment and a 6.2% decrease in total consumption, while exports of goods and services increased by 9.8% and imports of goods and services decreased by 18.7%, resulting in an 89.6% decrease in net exports. The primary production sector increased by 15.1%, mainly due to a 23.4% increase in agriculture, livestock, game and forestry, which reverted to normal levels following the drought that affected a large portion of the territory dedicated to agricultural production in 2018. The secondary sector, however, contracted by 5.6%, mainly due to a 6.2% decrease in manufacturing and a 4.2% decrease in construction. The services sector decreased by 3.1%, mainly as a result of a 6.8% decrease in the trade, hotels and restaurants sector and a 3.9% decrease in the financial, real estate, business and rental services sector.

On October 1, 2020, the Government announced a series of economic measures for the industrial, mining, agricultural and construction sectors with the primary aim of boosting local production and increasing the value added of exports, which include:

 

   

Industrial sector: an increase in export refunds relative to the product’s added value, the temporary reduction of export duties on industrial goods and the elimination of export duties on exports of vehicles to Mercosur.

 

   

Mining sector: the Government established a maximum of 8% rate for export duties on metals.

 

   

Agriculture sector: export duties on soybeans was temporarily reduced from 33% to 30%, 31.5% and 32% for October, November and December 2020, respectively, reverting to 33% in January 2021. Export duties on other soybean derivatives had higher decreases, amounting to 28%, 29.5% and 30% for October, November and December 2020, respectively, and 31% for January 2021. Additionally, up to Ps.11.5 billion will be allocated to compensate and encourage small soybean producers and cooperatives. In the case of biodiesel, export duties were reduced from 30% to 26%, 27.5% and 28% for October, November and December 2020 and 29% for January 2021 and thereafter.

 

   

Construction sector: the Government announced a new bill seeking to stimulate investments by means of a three-year tax exemption on financial assets allocated for new construction projects and a deferral in the payment of income tax and tax on property transfers. Such bill was enacted by Congress in March 2021 with some modifications, including the reduction of such tax exemption to a two-years period.

 

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In 2020, real GDP decreased by 9.9%. This contraction was the result of a 10.6% decrease in total consumption and a 13.1% decrease in gross investment, while exports of goods and services decreased by 17.4% and imports of goods and services decreased by 17.2%, resulting in a 11.2% decrease in net exports. The primary production sector decreased by 8.3%, mainly due to a 7.1% decrease in agriculture, livestock, game and forestry. The secondary sector contracted by 9.1%, mainly due to a 7.7% decrease in manufacturing and a 22.4% decrease in construction. The services sector decreased by 10.6%, mainly as a result of a 12.6% decrease in the public administration, education, health, social and personal services sector, a 10.5% decrease in the trade, hotels and restaurants sector, and a 17.0% decrease in the transportation, storage and communication sector.

In 2021, real GDP increased by 10.4%. This expansion was the result of a 9.1% increase in total consumption and a 34.0% increase in gross investment, while exports of goods and services increased by 8.5% and imports of goods and services increased by 18.6%, resulting in a 265.6% increase in net imports. The primary production sector increased by 3.9%, mainly due to a 9.5% increase in mining and extractives. The secondary sector grew by 16.3%, mainly due to a 29.1% increase in construction and a 15.8% increase in manufacturing. The services sector increased by 9.6%, mainly as a result of a 14.5% increase in the trade, hotels and restaurants sector, a 9.5% increase in the public administration sector and a 6.7% increase in financial, real estate, business and rental sector.

In 2022, real GDP increased by 5.3%. This expansion was the result of an 8.3% increase in total consumption and a 11.2% increase in gross investment, while exports of goods and services increased by 4.6% and imports of goods and services increased by 17.8%, resulting in a 113.7% increase in net imports. The primary production sector increased by 1.5%, mainly due to a 12.3% increase in mining and extractives. The secondary sector grew by 4.6%, mainly due to a 4.6% increase in manufacturing and a 5.8% increase in construction. The services sector increased by 6.2%, mainly as a result of an 8.3% increase in the trade, hotels and restaurants sector, an 8.0% increase in the transportation, storage and communication sector and a 5.0% increase in the public administration, education, health, social and personal services sector.

In 2023, real GDP decreased by 1.6%. This contraction was the result of a 1.1% increase in total consumption and a 2.0% decrease in gross investment, while exports of goods and services decreased by 7.5% and imports of goods and services increased by 1.7%, resulting in a 34.6% increase in net imports. The primary production sector decreased by 13.1%, mainly due to a 23.8% decrease in agriculture and livestock, which was partially offset by an 8.4% increase in mining and extractives. The secondary sector contracted by 1.5%, mainly due to a 2.1% decrease in manufacturing and a 1.0% increase in construction. The services sector increased by 0.8%, mainly as a result of a 0.8% increase in the trade, hotels and restaurants sector, a 2.2% increase in the public administration, education, health, social and personal services sector, which was partially offset by a 0.8% decrease in the transportation, storage and communication sector.

Primary Production

In 2019, total primary sector production increased by 15.1% compared to 2018, mainly driven by a 23.4% increase in agriculture, livestock, game and forestry. In 2020, total primary sector production decreased by 8.4% compared to 2019, mainly driven by a 7.1% decrease in agriculture, livestock, game and forestry. In 2021, total primary sector production increased by 3.3% compared to 2020, mainly driven by a 10.2% increase in mining and extractives, primarily due to a greater dynamism in the oil and gas sector. In 2022, total primary sector production increased by 1.2% compared to 2021, mainly driven by a 13.5% increase in mining and extractives, primarily due to a greater dynamism in the oil and gas sector. In 2023, total primary sector production decreased by 13.1% compared to 2022, mainly driven by a 23.8% decrease in agriculture, livestock, game and forestry.

Agriculture, Livestock, Game and Forestry

Argentina relies on its domestic supply for virtually all agricultural and livestock products, and is a major exporter of primary products, including cereals, grains, meat and fish. Crop production consists primarily of soy, corn and wheat. During the 2022 to 2023 season, soy, corn, and wheat production represented 26.4%, 43.7% and 13.2% of total agricultural production, respectively. During 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. Argentina’s agriculture, livestock, game, forestry, fishing and extractives sector accounted for 11.2%, 11.4%, 10.8%, 10.4% and 9.2% of real GDP, respectively.

In 2022, the agriculture, livestock, game and forestry sector contracted by 3.0% compared to 2021, mainly due to the impact of the drought affecting the 2022/2023 harvest season. In the 2021/2022 harvest season, harvested cereals, oilseeds and industrial crops totaled 142 million tons, representing a 1.9% increase when compared to the 2020/2021 harvest season.

In 2023, the agriculture, livestock, game and forestry sector contracted by 23.8% compared to 2022, mainly due to the impact of the drought affecting the 2023/2024 harvest season and the effects of avian influenza. In the 2022/2023 harvest season, harvested cereals, oilseeds and industrial crops totaled 94.8 million tons, representing a 33.5% decrease when compared to the 2021/2022 harvest season.

 

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Mining and Extractives (Including Oil and Gas Production)

The mining and extractives sector consists primarily of precious and semi-precious metals, coal, petroleum and gas exploration and production. Historically, mining activity in Argentina has represented a small part of the economy, accounting for 3.1%, 3.1%, 3.1%, 3.3% and 3.6% of real GDP in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Argentina is the largest producer of natural gas and the second largest producer of crude oil in Latin America, based on 2023 production, according to the 2024 edition of the Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy, published in June 2024. As of December 31, 2022, YPF held interests in 119 oil and gas fields in Argentina and, in association with private partners, was also engaged in projects relating to the exploration and development of unconventional resources, including shale oil and gas, primarily in the Vaca Muerta formation located in the provinces of Neuquén and Río Negro. See “Role of the State in the Economy—Oil and Gas Industry.”

Secondary Production

Manufacturing

Argentina’s manufacturing sector primarily consists of the production of food and beverages, chemical products and substances, common metals, rubber and plastic products, motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers and apparel. The 2001-2002 economic crisis that severely affected Argentina—with GDP contracting 10.9% in 2002—had a significant adverse effect on this sector. The adoption of import-substitution policies commencing in 2002 contributed to the growth of this sector during the following years. Between 2003 and 2008, economic growth was also fueled by growth of the manufacturing sector, which became competitive due to the effects of the depreciation of the peso and investments aimed at stimulating production. Industrial products, such as chemical products, planes and ships, and agricultural products, such as crops and livestock, also contributed to increasing exports during this period. Argentina’s manufacturing sector, however, is significantly exposed to fluctuations in the cost of capital, which in turn are affected by the Government’s fiscal and monetary policies. In recent years, the manufacturing sector has been adversely affected by Argentina’s unstable macroeconomic environment. In 2023, the manufacturing sector accounted for 16.6% of real GDP.

During 2019, the manufacturing sector contracted by 6.2% compared to 2018. This decrease was primarily driven by:

 

   

a 21.9% decrease in motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers;

 

   

a 12.2% decrease in machinery and equipment;

 

   

an 8.2% decrease in common metals; and

 

   

a 4.4% decrease in chemical products.

During 2020, the manufacturing sector contracted by 7.7% compared to 2019. This decrease was primarily driven by:

 

   

a 27.1% decrease in common metals;

 

   

a 32.7% decrease in wearing apparel;

 

   

a 18.9% decrease in metal products; and

 

   

a 20.7% decrease in motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers.

This decrease was partially offset by a 2.2% increase in chemical products, a 4.6% increase in machinery and equipment and a 10.8% increase in electronic products.

During 2021, the manufacturing sector grew by 15.8% compared to 2020. This increase was primarily driven by:

 

   

a 35.1% increase in machinery and equipment;

 

   

a 35.7% increase in common metals;

 

   

a 49.2% increase in motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers; and

 

   

a 6.5% increase in food and beverages.

All manufacturing activities increased during 2021, except for the furniture and mattress industry.

During 2022, the manufacturing sector grew by 4.6% compared to 2021. This increase was primarily driven by:

 

   

a 11.5% increase in machinery and equipment;

 

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a 3.0% increase in food and beverages;

 

   

a 3.4% increase in chemical products; and

 

   

a 12.3% increase in motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers.

This increase was partially offset by an 12.1% decrease in wood and cork products.

During 2023, the manufacturing sector contracted by 2.1% compared to 2022. This decrease was primarily driven by:

 

   

a 5.7% decrease in machinery and equipment;

 

   

a 2.9% decrease in chemical products;

 

   

an 11.1% decrease in electronic products; and

 

   

a 4.1% decrease in food and beverages.

This decrease was partially offset by a 5.3% increase in products derived from oil refining, and a 4.7% increase in wearing apparel.

Construction

The Argentine economy shows a strong correlation between the evolution of real GDP and the construction sector, which primarily consists of residential projects.

In 2019, the level of activity in the construction sector decreased by 4.2% compared to 2018. In 2019, the construction sector accounted for 3.1% of real GDP.

In 2020, the level of activity in the construction sector decreased by 22.4% compared to 2019. In 2020, the construction sector accounted for 2.6% of real GDP.

In 2021, the level of activity in the construction sector increased by 29.1% compared to 2020. In 2021, the construction sector accounted for 3.1% of real GDP.

In 2022, the level of activity in the construction sector increased by 5.8% compared to 2021. In 2022, the construction sector accounted for 3.1% of real GDP.

In 2023, the level of activity in the construction sector increased by 1.0% compared to 2022. In 2023, the construction sector accounted for 3.2% of real GDP.

Electricity, Gas and Water

Electricity in Argentina is primarily produced from combined cycle (which uses both gas and steam turbines to produce electricity) and hydroelectric sources, with supplemental generation from gas, coal and nuclear plants. The electricity, gas and water sector represents a small fraction of the Argentine economy, accounting for 1.8% of real GDP in 2023.

The electricity, gas and water sector increased by 1.4%, 3.3%, 2.7% in 2020, 2021, 2022, respectively, and decreased by 3.1% and 0.7% in 2019 and 2023, respectively, in each case as compared to the previous year. Between 2019 and 2023, Argentina relied in part on fuel imports to meet excess consumption needs.

 

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The following table sets forth information on Argentina’s electricity sector for the periods specified.

Principal Economic Indicators of the Electricity Sector

(in GW/hr, unless otherwise specified)

 

     2019      2020(1)      2021(1)      2022(1)      2023  

Production of electricity sector

              

Thermal

     80,137        82,336        90,074        81,751        73,020  

Hydraulic

     35,370        29,093        24,116        30,186        39,332  

Nuclear

     7,927        10,011        10,170        7,469        8,963  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Wind-Solar

     7,812        12,737        17,437        19,340        20,086  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Imports(2)

     2,746        1,204        819        6,310        6,241  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total generation

     133,993        135,381        142,616        145,057        147,641  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Demand by economic sector

              

Industrial

     36,390        32,212        36,451        37,098        36,674  

Residential

     55,529        60,021        60,786        63,157        65,303  

Commercial

     37,028        35,074        36,640        38,520        38,907  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exports

     261        3,089        3,850        31        98  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss in consumption and others

     4,786        4,985        4,889        6,250        6,660  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total demand

     133,993        135,381        142,616        145,057        147,641  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Preliminary data.

(2)

Imports, primarily from Uruguay, to meet domestic demand in excess of domestic production.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

The following table sets forth the imports and exports of fuel and energy for the periods specified.

Exports and Imports of Fuel and Energy

(in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise specified)

 

     2019     2020     2021(1)     2022(1)     2023  
Total FOB exports    U.S.$ 65,116     U.S.$ 54,884     U.S.$ 77,935     U.S.$ 88,445     U.S.$ 66,789  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fuel and energy

     4,421       3,594       5,284       8,397       7,911  

As a % of total FOB exports

     6.8     6.5     6.8     9.5     11.8

Change from previous year

     5.3     (18.7 )%      47.1     58.9     (7.0 )% 
Total CIF imports    U.S.$ 49,124     U.S.$ 42,354     U.S.$ 63,185     U.S.$ 81,522     U.S.$ 73,714  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fuel and energy

     4,447       2,640       5,842       12,868       7,924  

As a % of total CIF imports

     9.1     6.2     9.2     15.8     10.7

Change from previous year

     (31.9 )%      (40.6 )%      121.3     120.3     (38.4 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (imports) exports of fuel and

energy

   U.S.$ (175    U.S.$ 954     U.S.$ (558    U.S.$ (4,359    U.S.$ (13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

In 2022, exports and imports of fuel and energy increased by 58.9% and 120.3%, respectively, compared to 2021. This increase was mainly due to an increase in energy consumption due to the recovery of the economy and an increase in international prices.

In 2023, exports of fuel and energy increased by 13.3%, while their imports decreased by 23.7%, compared to 2022.

 

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Evolution of Exports and Imports of Fuel and Energy

(% change in volume from previous year)

 

     2019     2020     2021(1)     2022(1)     2023  

Change in volume of exports

     12.6     20.9     (14.9 )%      13.9     13.3

Change in volume of imports

     (32.0 )%      (21.1 )%      68.1     28.3     (23.7 )% 

 

(1)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Services

The services sector represents the largest portion of the Argentine economy, accounting for 51.9% in 2019, 51.5% in 2020, 51.1% in 2021, 51.4% in 2022 and 52.7% in 2023.

The following tables set forth the composition and growth of the services sector for the periods specified.

Composition of Services Sector

(in millions of pesos, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019      2020(2)      2021(2)      2022(2)      2023(2)  

Wholesale and retail trade and repairs

   Ps. 84,020      Ps. 79,591      Ps. 90,360      Ps. 96,072      Ps. 96,058  

Transportation, storage and communication services

     56,737        47,111        50,415        54,425        53,972  

Real estate, business and rental services

     74,614        70,369        76,616        80,396        81,597  

Education, Social and health services

     51,506        47,898        51,169        52,640        53,736  

Financial services

     25,331        25,106        25,246        25,268        24,367  

Other community, social and personal services

     17,860        10,954        14,565        15,847        16,168  

Public administration

     33,558        31,077        32,753        34,936        35,770  

Hotels and restaurants

     11,481        5,850        7,498        9,900        10,654  

Domestic Services(1)

     4,362        3,547        3,697        4,061        4,122  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   Ps. 359,468      Ps. 321,504      Ps. 352,319      Ps. 373,546      Ps. 376,443  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes services completed by domestics workers including caretakers, domestic servants and private drivers.

(2)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Growth of Services Sector

(% change from prior year, at constant 2004 prices)

 

     2019     2020(2)     2021(2)     2022(2)     2023(2)  

Wholesale and retail trade and repairs

     (7.7 )%      5.3     13.5     6.3      

Transportation, storage and communication services

     (0.7     (17.0     7.0       8.0       (0.8

Real estate, business and rental services

     (0.9     (5.7     8.9       4.9       1.5  

Education, Social and health services

     0.3       (7.0     6.8       2.9       2.1  

Financial services

     (11.6     (0.9     0.6       0.1       (3.6

Other community, social and personal services

     (3.1     (38.7     33.0       8.8       2.0  

Public administration

     0.8       (7.4     5.4       6.7       2.4  

Hotels and restaurants

     0.1       (49.0     28.2       32.0       7.6  

Domestic services(1)

     4.8       (18.7     4.2       9.8       1.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (3.1 )%      (10.6 )%      9.6     6.0     0.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes services completed by domestics workers including caretakers, domestic servants and private drivers.

(2) Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

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In 2019, the services sector decreased by 3.1% compared to 2018. This decrease was primarily driven by a 7.7% decrease in the wholesale and retail trade and repairs sector and a 11.6% decrease in financial services, which were partly offset by a 4.8% increase in public sector administration. The decrease in financial services was mainly due to a decrease in the volume of loans extended to the private sector, measured in real terms.

In 2020, the services sector decreased by 10.6% compared to 2019. This decrease was primarily driven by a 17.0% decrease in the transportation, storage and communication sector and a 38.7% decrease in other community, social and personal services. The financial services sector was the least affected by the outbreak of COVID-19, decreasing by 0.9% compared to 2019.

In 2021, the services sector increased by 9.6% compared to 2020. This increase was primarily driven by a 13.5% increase in wholesale and retail trade and repair services, an 8.9% increase in real estate, business and rental services, a 7.0% increase in transportation, storage and communication services and a 33.0% increase in other community, social and personal services. The financial services sector increased by 0.6% compared to 2020.

In 2022, the services sector increased by 6.0% compared to 2021. This increase was primarily driven by a 6.3% increase in wholesale and retail trade and repair services, a 4.9% increase in real estate, business and rental services, an 8.0% increase in transportation, storage and communication services, a 9.8% increase in domestic services and a 32.0% increase in hotels and restaurants. The financial services sector increased by 0.1% compared to 2021.

In 2023, the services sector increased by 0.8% compared to 2022. This increase was primarily driven by a 1.5% increase in real estate, business and rental services and a 2.1% increase in education, social and health services real estate. The financial services sector decreased by 3.6% compared to 2022.

Telecommunications

The telecommunications sector has grown since 2001. Much of this growth has resulted from a substantial increase in the use of mobile communications, which have become increasingly common in Argentina as more affordable cellular phone plans have become available and consumers’ purchasing power has improved.

In September 2020, the Government adopted a national connectivity plan, the Plan Conectar (Connect Plan), aimed at reducing the digital gap, extending access to information and communication technology services and increasing broadband connections throughout the Republic by an efficient use of existing provincial and national telecommunications infrastructure. The plan entails significant investment by the Government in different areas, including the construction of a new satellite, the update and expansion of the federal fiber optic network, and the update of open digital television and data security services. In 2022, progress was made in connection with the construction of the ARSAT-SG1 satellite. In addition, progress was made in the development of the ARSAT SG2 satellite, which is expected to (i) double the number of available antennas, (ii) allow for a more flexible allocation of internet traffic and (iii) direct the satellite’s telecommunications capacity according to a specific region’s demand. This technology constitutes an innovation within the national satellite industry and increases ARSAT’s international competitiveness in the provision of satellite services.

In 2021, the Government announced the commencement of a project related to the third satellite of the ARSAT fleet, the geostationary telecommunications satellite ARSAT SG-1, which will be the first electric propulsion satellite built in Argentina. In addition, the Government initiated the acquisition of equipment to expand the cybersecurity and storage capacity of ARSAT’s national data center, which offers cloud services and information security. Simultaneously, with financing from the IADB, activities were carried out to expand and update the broadband throughout the country, increasing Internet traffic with greater capacity, speed and connection.

During 2021, the Government launched a digital transformation of the national administration with the aim of simplifying administrative procedures in the public sector. In addition, municipalities and provinces were assisted in the digital transformation of their own administrative procedures.

In 2022, the Government distributed 552,087 netbooks to elementary and high school students through the Conectar Igualdad program (Connect Equality program). Further, the Government announced the Mi Pueblo Conectado (My People Connected) program, which promotes the digital development of provincial and municipal governments, providing improved services to individuals and reducing the digital gap throughout the Republic. In addition, the Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones (National Communications Entity or “ENACOM”) completed the bidding process for the deployment of the 4G internet services throughout the country, which entails an investment estimated at U.S.$27.7 million.

 

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In 2023, the bidding process for the deployment of 5G internet services throughout the country was completed and over 100 low-income neighborhoods were connected to the internet within the framework of the Programa para el Desarrollo de Infraestructura para Internet Destinado a Villas y Asentamientos Inscriptos en el Registro Nacional de Barrios Populares en Proceso de Integración Urbana (Program for the Development of Internet Infrastructure for Low-Income Neighborhoods Registered in the National Registry of Low-Income Neighborhoods in the Process of Urban Integration). Moreover, in 2023 the Government furthered the implementation of the Plan Conectar, the construction of ARSAT’s satellites, and the update and expansion of the federal fiber optic network.

Role of the State in the Economy

State-Owned Entities

The Government carries out certain functions and commercial activities through state-owned and state-controlled enterprises, including the following:

 

   

Aerolíneas Argentinas S.A. (“Aerolíneas Argentinas”), the country’s largest airline;

 

   

Banco de la Nación Argentina, the national bank of Argentina;

 

   

Banco de Inversión y Comercio Exterior S.A. (“BICE”);

 

   

Agua y Saneamientos Argentinos S.A. (“AYSA”), which provides essential services of potable water and sanitation;

 

   

Correo Oficial de la República Argentina (“Correo Argentino”), the national postal service;

 

   

Integración Energética Argentina S.A. (“IEASA”), a state-owned energy company;

 

   

Operadora Ferroviaria S.E., the national railway company; and

 

   

YPF, a state-controlled energy company.

In line with the principles set forth by the Government and reaffirmed in the guidelines presented within the framework of the 2025 budget proposal, the Government expects to advance the restructuring, concession, and/or privatization of certain wholly or majority State-owned companies. See “Recent Developments—The Argentine Economy—Role of the State in the Economy—Privatization Policy.”

State Involvement in the Economy

Following the crisis of 2001 to 2002, between 2003 and 2023, the Government reversed a number of measures implemented during the 1990s to deregulate the economy and reduce government intervention. The Government re-introduced several state controls, most notably the following:

 

   

the absorption and replacement of the former private pension system for a public “pay as you go” pension system, as well as the transfer of all resources previously administered by the private pension funds, including equity interests in a wide range of listed companies, to the FGS to be administered by the ANSES;

 

   

direct involvement in the oil and gas industry through the creation of ENARSA, the enactment of the Hydrocarbons Law (defined below) and the expropriation of 51% of the shares of YPF;

 

   

increased regulation of utility companies;

 

   

the revocation of concessions for certain public services (including several railway lines and water services);

 

   

restrictions on capital transfers and other monetary transactions (see “Monetary System—Regulation of the Financial Sector”);

 

   

continued price controls on transportation and agricultural and energy products (see “—Gross Domestic Product—Primary Production”);

 

   

export tariffs on agricultural products (see “Balance of Payments— Current Account—Trade Regulation”);

 

   

subsidies to the energy and transportation sectors; and

 

   

export regulations (see “Balance of Payments—Trade Regulation”).

 

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In December 2008, Congress approved a law declaring that the shares of Aerolíneas Argentinas, its affiliate Líneas Aéreas Cielos del Sur S.A. (“Austral”) and their subsidiaries, Optar S.A., Jet Paq S.A. and Aerohandling S.A. were “of public interest” and therefore subject to expropriation in accordance with Law No. 21,499 (the “Argentine Expropriation Law”). Under the valuation guidelines established in the Argentine Expropriation Law, the Tribunal de Tasaciones de la Nación (National Valuation Tribunal), estimated that these entities had an aggregate negative value approximately ranging between U.S.$602.0 million and U.S.$872.0 million. For a discussion of related arbitration proceedings, see “Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—ICSID Arbitration.”

Since assuming office in December 2023, and with the objective of reducing public sector deficit, the Milei administration implemented an economic program focused on rationalizing public sector spending that reverted to some extent the measures described above. See “Recent Developments—The Argentine Economy—Recent Measures Adopted by the Republic.”

Oil and Gas Industry

Transfers on account of subsidies to the energy sector totaled Ps.214.1 billion in 2019, Ps.492.4 billion in 2020, Ps.1,050.8 billion in 2021, Ps.1,657 billion in 2022 and Ps.2,951.7 billion in 2023.

The following table shows the proved reserves of petroleum and natural gas in Argentina as of the dates specified.

Proved Reserves

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Crude oil(1)

     407,420        383,280        451,231        449,586        437,368  

Natural gas(2)

     400,321        397,246        415,988        477,270        487,472  

 

 

(1)

In thousands of cubic meters.

(2)

In millions of cubic meters.

Source: Ministry of Energy and Mining.

Energy sector reforms

In early 2004, Argentina began to experience energy shortages, which initially let to a decrease of natural gas and other energy exports but over time affected the entire Argentine economy. Since then, the Government has adopted multiple measures to improve infrastructure and increase installed power generation capacity.

In 2015, the Government took various actions designed to ensure the supply of electricity to the country. The measures adopted by the Government aimed at increasing energy generation by tendering thermal and renewable energy projects and creating a free market for renewable energies. Between 2017 and 2021, 37 new thermal projects for a total of 4,507 MWs became operative, and four projects for a total of 456 MWs were under construction as of the date of this Annual Report.

Further, as a result of tender offers, between 2017 and 2022, 100 new renewable energy projects became operative and 32 projects for 954 MWs started commercial operations in the free market. As of the date of this Annual Report, 73 projects for a total of 1,525 MWs were under development, distributed in 19 of the 23 provinces.

Together with the measures designed to increase supply, the Government sought to increase tariffs with a view to eliminating subsidies. These later set of measures suffered judicial challenge and were initially delayed in their implementation. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these measures was further undermined by the impact of the continued depreciation of the peso. Finally, the Government sought to reduce the burden of energy subsidies mainly for the Greater Buenos Aires region on the federal budget by transferring the responsibility and cost of these measures to the provincial Governments.

With respect to natural gas, in 2012, the Government launched “Gas Plans” to promote gas production, whereby the production of “new” gas above the decline rate of the fields was paid at U.S.$7.5/MBTU. In 2017, Resolution 46/2017, established a price for additional production of non-conventional gas of U.S.$7.5/MBTU for 2017 and 2018, reduced to a price of U.S.$7.0/MBTU for 2019, U.S.$6.5/MBTU for 2020 and U.S.$6.0/MBTU for 2021. After a transitional period involving regulation of wellhead prices, commencing in 2018, the negotiation of prices between distribution companies and domestic producers of natural gas and intermediaries is free. In the case of electricity, transportation and distribution tariffs were set to increase gradually between 2017 and 2018.

In November 2018, in recognition of the sharp depreciation of the peso in April 2018, the Government introduced a retroactive increase in energy prices from April 1, 2018 to September 30, 2018 to compensate energy distributors for losses arising from exchange rate differences between the amounts in pesos paid by users and the amounts in U.S. dollars payable by energy distributors. On November 15, 2018, the Government issued Decree No. 1053/2018 providing that such compensation to distribution companies would be payable in 30 installments by the Treasury, to prevent a steep increase in end users’ tariffs.

 

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In September 2018, Argentina resumed exporting gas to Chile. The existence of excess capacity in the Vaca Muerta region during 2017 and 2018 allowed gas and energy exports to increase by 69.2% to U.S.$4.2 billion in 2018, compared to U.S.$2.5 billion during 2017.

On November 4, 2018, the Government launched an international public bidding process for hydrocarbon exploration in offshore areas located along the coast of Patagonia. On May 16, 2019, 18 areas were adjudicated.

During 2018, the Government transferred Ps.177.9 billion to the energy sector, compared to Ps.125.6 billion in 2017. This increase was mainly due to a depreciation of the peso vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar, as energy costs are mainly denominated in foreign currency.

Beginning in January 1, 2019, the responsibility to determine and assume “social” tariff schemes to address the needs of the most vulnerable groups was transferred by the Government to the provinces. The Government also expressed that it would transfer budgetary allocations to each province to compensate for the cost assumed by them as a result of the transfer of social tariff schemes.

In January 2019, the Government announced staggered energy tariff increases, establishing fixed consumer price increases of 40%, 7% and 6% to become effective on February 1, May 1 and August 1, 2019, respectively. However, in April 2019, the Government announced the deferral of the increases in energy tariffs payable by consumers for the remainder of 2019 and that the staggered increases scheduled for May 1 and August 1, 2019 would be assumed by the Government.

In April 2019, the Government announced staggered gas wellhead price increases, establishing fixed price increases of 10%, 9% and 8% to become effective on April 1, May 1 and June 1, 2019, respectively. The Government also announced a 22% tariff discount for residential end-users during the winter period, which would be translated and compensated by such users during the 2019-2020 summer period.

On July 5, 2019, the Government launched an international public bidding process for the construction of a new natural gas pipeline to connect the Vaca Muerta region with the city of San Nicolás, on the shores of the Paraná River, in the province of Buenos Aires (approximately 1,010 kilometers). Bids were submitted in November 2019.

In November 2020, the Government announced a plan aimed at ensuring that the level of gas production is adequate to supply the increased summer demand (the “Plan GasAr”). The most relevant aspects of Plan GasAr are:

 

   

The Plan GasAr will be implemented through direct contracts between gas producers, on the one hand, and gas distributors and/or sub-distributors (to satisfy priority demand) and CAMMESA (the wholesale electricity market administrator, to satisfy demand of thermal power plants), on the other. Contracts will be awarded and negotiated through, and the price of gas in Transport System Entering Point (“TSEP”) will arise from, an auction, tender and/or similar procedure to be designed by the Secretariat of Energy.

 

   

The Plan GasAr shall have an initial duration of four years, which may be extended by the Secretariat of Energy for additional periods of one year each based on its analysis of the gas market, demand volumes and investment possibilities in infrastructure. For off-shore projects, a longer term of up to eight years may be contemplated.

 

   

The Plan GasAr shall be for a total volume of 70 mmcm/d for the 365 days of each year in which it is in place, and certain additional volumes for the winter seasonal period of each of the four years.

 

   

Producers must present an investment plan to reach the committed injection volumes and be bound to achieve a production curve per basin that guarantees the maintenance and/or increase of current levels of production.

 

   

Participating producing companies received preferential conditions for exports under firm condition according to the gas balances. The benefits for exports applied both to the export of natural gas through pipelines and to its liquefaction in Argentina and subsequent export as liquefied natural gas. In 2024, the trade of a portion of the available gas was released to open market.

 

   

The Government may assume on a monthly basis payment of a portion of the price of natural gas in the TSEP, to mitigate the impact of the cost of natural gas to be transferred to end users.

 

   

The Central Bank must establish appropriate mechanisms to guarantee the repatriation of direct investments and their respective returns and/or the payment of principal and interest of foreign financings, provided that such funds have been transferred to Argentina and exchanged into pesos through the Argentine Foreign Exchange Market following the adoption of Plan GasAr, and are actually used to finance projects under the Plan GasAr.

 

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In addition, the Plan GasAr contemplates various sanctions for failures by participating entities to fulfill their commitments.

In March 2021, the Secretariat of Energy published a technical report corresponding to a public hearing scheduled for that month to discuss the portion of the total cost of gas required to supply the priority demand in 2021, which the Government will be responsible for contributing pursuant to the Plan GasAr, and how it is going to be transferred to end users. According to such technical report, as of March 2021, the Government was funding 60% of the total cost of the natural gas necessary to satisfy the priority demand, which represents an annualized fiscal expense of Ps.133.0 billion in 2021.

During 2022, the construction of the Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline connecting the provinces of Neuquén and Buenos Aires made headway. The gas pipeline is expected to:

 

   

increase gas transportation capacity from the Vaca Muerta formation to the main consumption centers in the country by 11 million m3 per day;

 

   

increase gas supply to end-users and power generation plants that supply the Buenos Aires Metropolitan area;

 

   

replace fuel imports by U.S.$2.2 billion per year, decreasing foreign currency demand; and

 

   

increase direct and indirect employment and support the development of suppliers.

Regarding the Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline (connecting the provinces of Neuquén and Buenos Aires), operations of the first stage started in October 2024. As of the date of this annual report, negotiations to finance the second section of the pipeline are undergoing.

In May 2022, the Government issued Decree No. 277/2022, establishing a foreign currency access regime for the incremental production of hydrocarbons, with the objective of (i) providing predictability to access foreign currency and (ii) increasing investments in the upstream segment

According to the technical report published by the Secretariat of Energy in May 2022, the Government was financing 75.60% of the total cost of natural gas needed to meet the priority demand, which represents an annual expenditure of Ps.275.1 billion for 2022. In August 2022, the Government implemented a tariff segmentation scheme aimed at organizing electricity and gas subsidies based on the economic capacity of each household. The scheme foresees the creation of a registry for households in need of subsidies. With the objective of achieving reasonable and fair tariffs for the prices of electricity, gas, and water, the scheme divides households into three groups, and reduces existing subsidies depending on the income group to which each household corresponds to. The categories are as follows:

 

   

High-income households: corresponds to those households that meet any of the following criteria (considering all members of the household):

 

   

Total monthly household income equal to or higher than Ps.389,543. For households located in the district of Patagones (Buenos Aires), or the provinces of Chubut, La Pampa, Neuquén, Río Negro, Santa Cruz or Tierra del Fuego, the total monthly household income must be equal to or higher than Ps.475,242.46;

 

   

Have three or more motor vehicles that are less than five years old;

 

   

Own three or more properties; or

 

   

Own a boat, a luxury aircraft or corporate assets that demonstrate high income.

Pursuant to the tariff segmentation scheme, subsidies for high-income households will gradually be phased out.

 

   

Medium-income households: corresponds to those households that do not fall in the high-income category and meet any of the following criteria (considering all members of the household):

 

   

Total monthly household income between Ps.111,298 and Ps.389,542. For households with a member that holds a certificate of disability, the total monthly household income may vary between Ps.166,947 and Ps.389,542;

 

   

Own up to two properties; or

 

   

Own up to one motor vehicle that is less than three years old.

The tariff segmentation scheme authorizes an increase in tariffs for medium-income households equal to 80% of CVS (as defined herein), corresponding to an approximately 42.7% increase in tariffs.

 

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Low-income households: corresponds to those households that do not fall in the prior categories and meet any of the following conditions (considering all members of the household):

 

   

Total monthly household income lower than Ps.111,298. For households with a member that holds a certificate of disability, the total monthly household income must be lower than Ps.166,947;

 

   

Own up to one property; or

 

   

Do not own a vehicle that is less than 3 years old. However, households with a member that holds a certificate of disability may own up to 1 vehicle that is less than 3 years old.

Further, households that are not high-income households and certify certain specific situations are also considered low-income households equal to 40% of the CVS, corresponding to an approximately 21.3% increase in tariffs.

The tariff segmentation scheme authorizes an increase in tariffs for low-income households.

In September 2022, due to the increases in natural gas production, particularly in the Neuquén Basin, and the increase in transportation capacity after the construction of the Néstor Kirchner Gas Pipeline, the Government announced the extension of Plan GasAr until 2028.

In December 2023, through the enactment of Decree No. 55/2023, the Government declared a state of emergency for Argentina’s national energy sector, covering electricity generation, transportation, and distribution, as well as natural gas transportation and distribution until the end of 2024. This measure aimed to ensure the continuous provision of these essential services under appropriate technical and economic conditions for both service providers and users. Decree No. 70/2023 extended the emergency to broader economic, financial, and social matters until 2025, in response to the severe economic crisis in Argentina.

In 2024, to stabilize the energy sector, tariff adjustments were implemented by the Secretariat of Energy, with temporary postponements during mid-2024 to support the disinflation process, including measures to reform the energy sector, focusing on adjusting subsidies in line with Decree No. 332/2022, which established user segmentation based on income. Public hearings were convened to ensure transparency and citizen participation, particularly regarding changes to the subsidy regime, in compliance with previous legal rulings on tariffs and subsidies. In addition, through the enactment of Decree No. 465/2024, the Government introduced a transition period to move from a generalized subsidy regime to one targeting vulnerable users, aiming at reducing overlapping subsidies while gradually passing real energy prices to end-users, particularly those in middle- and low-income categories.

Price and tariff updates for electricity and gas were resumed from August 2024 to avoid distortions and preserve the economic sustainability of the energy sector. The revised subsidy framework seeks to balance fiscal consolidation with social protection, focusing on vulnerable sectors while gradually correcting energy tariffs to reflect true costs.

During 2019, the year-on-year increase in the price of energy in the wholesale electricity market for end-users totaled 85% (Ps.2,079/MWh on average as of December 31, 2019 compared to Ps.1,124/MWh as of December 31, 2018 on average), while the increase in the price of natural gas for residential end-users was 26% (Ps.185/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2019 compared to Ps.147/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2018).

During 2020, the year-on-year increase in the price of energy in the wholesale electricity market for end-users totaled 4% (Ps.2,154/MWh on average as of December 31, 2020 compared to Ps.2,079/MWh as of December 31, 2019 on average), while the decrease in the price of natural gas for residential end-users was 2.6% (Ps.180/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2020 compared to Ps.185/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2019).

During 2021, the year-on-year increase in the price of energy in the wholesale electricity market for end-users totaled 14% (Ps.2,448/MWh on average as of December 31, 2021 compared to Ps.2,154/MWh as of December 31, 2020 on average), while the increase in the price of natural gas for residential end-users was 14% (Ps.205/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2021 compared to Ps.180/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2020).

During 2022, the year-on-year increase in the price of energy in the wholesale electricity market for end-users totaled 90% (Ps.4,652/MWh on average as of December 31, 2022 compared to Ps.2,448/MWh as of December 31, 2021 on average), while the increase in the price of natural gas for residential end-users was 82% (Ps.373/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2022 compared to Ps.205/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2021).

During 2023, the year-on-year increase in the price of energy in the wholesale electricity market for end-users totaled 115% (Ps.10,025/MWh on average as of December 31, 2023 compared to Ps.4,652/MWh as of December 31, 2022 on average), while the decrease in the price of natural gas for residential end-users was 68% (U.S.$0.75/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2023 compared to U.S.$2.35/MMBtu on average as of December 31, 2022), mainly as a result of the increase in the exchange rate.

 

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Employment and Labor

Unemployment and Underemployment

INDEC prepares a series of indices used to measure the social, demographic and economic characteristics of the Argentine population based on data generally collected in the Permanent Household Survey (Encuesta Permanente de Hogares, or “EPH”).

The following table sets forth employment figures for the periods indicated.

Employment and Unemployment Rates (1)

 

     Fourth quarter of
2019
    Fourth quarter
of 2020
    Fourth quarter of
2021
    Fourth quarter of
2022
    Fourth quarter of
2023
 

Greater Buenos Aires Area:

          

Labor force rate(2)

     48.7     44.9     47.6     48.3     49.4

Employment rate(3)

     43.8       39.3       44.1       45.0       46.2  

Unemployment rate(4)

     10.0       12.6       7.4       7.0       6.5  

Underemployment rate(5)

     12.7       17.0       11.6       10.4       10.2  

Major interior cities:(1)

          

Labor force rate(2)

     45.5       45.1       46.0       46.8       47.6  

Employment rate(3)

     42.0       41.0       43.0       44.2       45.3  

Unemployment rate(4)

     7.6       9.1       6.4       5.5       4.8  

Underemployment rate(5)

     13.5       12.9       12.7       11.5       10.8  

Total urban:

          

Labor force rate(2)

     47.2       45.0       46.9       47.6       48.6  

Employment rate(3)

     43       40.1       43.6       44.6       45.8  

Unemployment rate(4)

     8.9       11.0       7.0       6.3       5.7  

Underemployment rate(5)

     13.1     15.1     12.1     10.9     10.5

 

 

(1)

Figures are based on 31 major cities. The current methodology to measure EPH is applied to every major city except Rawson, Trelew, San Nicolás, Villa Constitución, Concordia, Gran Paraná, Gran Mendoza, Gran Resistencia, Gran San Juan, La Rioja, Santiago del Estero, La Banda, which are not covered under the current methodology due to resource constraints in such cities.

(2)

The labor force consists of the sum of the employed population and the population that is unemployed but actively seeking employment.

(3)

Employed population as a percentage of the labor force. To be considered employed, a person above the minimum age requirement must have worked a minimum of (i) one hour with remuneration, or (ii) 15 hours without remuneration during the week preceding the date of measurement.

(4)

Unemployed population as a percentage of the labor force. The unemployed population does not include the underemployed population.

(5)

Underemployed population as a percentage of the labor force. Workers are considered underemployed if they work fewer than 35 hours per week and wish to work more.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy

The Informal Economy

Argentina’s economy has an informal segment composed primarily of employees not registered with Argentina’s social security system but conducting legitimate businesses. Because of its nature, the informal segment of Argentina’s economy cannot be readily tracked through statistical information or other reliable data activities.

Activities include small businesses, usually those owned by individuals and families, that produce and exchange legal goods and services but may not have the appropriate business permits, report their tax liability, comply with labor regulations or have legal guarantees in place for suppliers and end users. As of the fourth quarter of 2023, INDEC estimates that the informal economy employed 35.7% of the total labor force compared to 35.9% as of the fourth quarter of 2019.

 

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The following table provides the estimated percentage of workers in Argentina’s formal and informal economies for the periods specified.

Formal and Informal Economies(1)

(% of total)

 

     Fourth
quarter of
2019
    Fourth
quarter of
2020
    Fourth
quarter of
2021
    Fourth
quarter of
2022
    Fourth
quarter of
2023
 

Formal

     64.1     67.3     66.7     64.5     64.3

Informal

     35.9     32.7     33.3     35.5     35.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Figures presented here do not include participants in the Heads of Households Program and individuals under the age of 18.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

The following table sets forth private sector employment data by economic sector for the periods specified.

Employment

(% by economic sector) (1)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022(2)     2023  

Primary production:

          

Agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry

     5.7     5.8     5.8     5.4     5.2

Mining and extractives (including petroleum and gas)

     1.4       1.4       1.4       1.4       1.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total primary production

     7.1       7.2       7.1       6.8       6.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Secondary production:

          

Manufacturing

     18.0       18.4       18.7       18.6       18.6  

Construction

     7.0       5.6       6.1       6.8       7.0  

Electricity, gas and water

     1.1       1.2       1.2       1.1       1.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total secondary production

     26.1       25.3       26.0       26.5       26.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Trade

     17.7       18.0       17.9       18.1       18.4  

Services

     49.1       49.6       48.9       48.6       48.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Annual average for each year indicated.

(2)

Data as of the third quarter of 2023.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Labor Regulation

Labor unions in Argentina exercise significant influence in the collective bargaining process. Both local and federal unions have staged various strikes in recent years to protest for salary increases. Strikes and demonstrations tend to have brief but significant impacts on transportation, and succeed in bringing production in various sectors of the economy to a temporary halt, in most cases for periods of only a few days.

Wages and Labor Productivity

The Ministry of Employment and Social Security, through the Wage Council, sets a single minimum wage annually for all sectors of the economy, based on macroeconomic indicators such as GDP growth and inflation. The minimum monthly wage for public and private employees was increased by 49.3% in 2019, 22.0% in 2020, 55.4% in 2021, 93.6% in 2022 and 151.8% in 2023, in each case as compared to the previous year and considering data as of December of each year.

The following table provides the average monthly minimum nominal wage of Argentine employees, including estimates for those employed in the informal economy, for the years specified.

 

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Average Monthly Minimum Nominal Wage

(in current pesos)

 

For the year ended December 31,

   Average Monthly
Minimum Wage
     Average Cost of
Basic Basket (1)
     Average Monthly
Minimum Wage (as a
% of Average Cost of
Basic Basket)
 

2019

     13,790        32,140        43

2020

     17,522        45,479        39

2021

     26,533        66,510        40

2022

     45,034        112,395        40

2023

     102,126        272,513        37

 

(1)

Average cost of a basket of essential goods and services for a “reference” family used to define the poverty line. A “reference” family is considered a family of four: two adults, one male, age 35, and one female, age 31, and two children, ages 6 and 8.

Source: Ministry of Employment and Social Security and Ministry of Economy.

The following table provides the percentage change in the nominal wage of Argentine employees for the years specified.

Nominal Wage

(% change from prior year)

 

     Private Sector     Public
Sector
    Total  
     Formal     Informal  

December 2019

     44.3       29.5       42.9       40.9  

December 2020

     44.3       29.5       42.9       40.9  

December 2021

     55.3       40.5       58.7       53.4  

December 2022

     93.8       65.4       99.4       90.4  

December 2023

     165.8     115.3     148.6     152.7

 

Source: Ministry of Economy, based on information provided by INDEC.

Poverty and Income Distribution

The measurement of poverty is based on a basket of goods and services (consisting primarily of food, clothing, transportation, health care, housing and education), which is considered the minimum necessary to sustain an individual. “Essential goods and services” in the basket that the Government has subsidized include natural gas, electricity, bus transportation and suburban and urban mass transportation, rail transportation, subway transportation, fuel and education.

In the second half of 2019, 25.9% of Argentina’s households and 35.5% of the population stood below the poverty line, while 5.7% of the households and 8.0% of the population stood below the extreme poverty line.

In the second half of 2020, 31.6% of Argentina’s households and 42.0% of the population stood below the poverty line, while 7.8% of the households and 10.5% of the population stood below the extreme poverty line.

In the second half of 2021, 27.9% of Argentina’s households and 37.3% of the population stood below the poverty line, while 6.1% of the households and 8.2% of the population stood below the extreme poverty line.

In the second half of 2022, 29.6% of Argentina’s households and 39.2% of the population stood below the poverty line, while 6.2% of the households and 8.1% of the population stood below the extreme poverty line.

In the second half of 2023, 31.8% of Argentina’s households and 41.7% of the population stood below the poverty line, while 8.7% of the households and 11.9% of the population stood below the extreme poverty line.

 

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The following table sets forth the poverty levels in Argentina:

Poverty (1)

(% of population)

 

Second half of

   Households     Population  

2019

     25.9       35.5  

2020

     31.6       42.0  

2021

     27.9       37.3  

2022

     29.6       39.2  

2023

     31.8     41.7

 

(1)

The poverty line is based on the estimated cost of a basket of essential goods and services during a given period, which varies depending on the characteristics of each individual and each household. For instance, men between the ages of 30 and 60 who earned less than Ps. 160,452 per month during December 2023 lived below the poverty line. For households, a family of four (two adults, one male age 35 and one female age 31, and two children ages 6 and 8) that earned in total less than Ps. 495,798 per month during December 2023 lived below the poverty line.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

INDEC’s assessment of the essential goods and services basket for the Greater Buenos Aires area indicated that a standard family required Ps.495,798.3 to gain access to the essential goods and services basket in December 2023, compared to Ps.152,515 in December 2022.

According to INDEC, in December 2023, the essential food basket for households stood at Ps.240,678.8, compared to Ps.67,187 in December 2022.

From the fourth quarter of 2019 to the fourth quarter of 2023, the top 10% of the population in Argentina, in terms of annual income, increased their contribution to the total national income by approximately 1.1 percentage points, while the top 20% of the population in Argentina, in terms of annual income, increased their contribution to the total national income by 1.2 percentage points. During the same period, the bottom 40% of the population’s contribution to the total national income decreased their contribution by 0.3%.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the top 10% of the population in Argentina accounted for 32.1% of total national income, the top 20% of the population accounted for 48.7% of total national income and the bottom 40% of the population accounted for 13.9% of the total national income.

The table below sets forth figures on the distribution of income as of the dates specified.

Evolution of Income Distribution

(% of total national income)

 

     Fourth quarter of  

Income group

   2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Lowest 40%

     14.1     14.6     15.0     15.0     13.9

Next 20%

     15.3       15.2       15.6       15.4       14.7  

Next 20%

     23.1       22.9       23.0       22.7       22.7  

Highest 20%

     47.5       47.3       46.5       47.0       48.7  

Highest 10%

     31.0     30.8     30.0     30.2     32.1

 

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Environment

Beginning in 2002, Argentina has initiated various measures to regulate, monitor and improve environmental standards. The majority of these measures require industrial companies to meet increasingly stringent safety standards.

 

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In 2002, Argentina enacted the Ley General de Medioambiente (General Environment Law), ratifying the formation of the Consejo Federal de Medioambiente (Federal Environmental Council), responsible for the creation of a comprehensive environmental policy, the coordination of regional and national programs and strategies for environmental management, the formulation of policies for the sustainable use of environmental resources, the promotion of economic development and growth planning, the supervision of and conduct environmental impact studies, the establishment of environmental standards, and for carrying out comparative studies and managing the international financing of environmental projects. In addition, as a member of the Kyoto Protocol, Argentina has implemented various regulations aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

Measures enacted to strengthen monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance with environmental standards include the following:

 

   

Law No. 26,011, which was enacted in 2007, approved the Stockholm Agreement relating to persistent organic contaminants;

 

   

the Proyecto de Desarrollo Sustentable de la Cuenca Matanza Riachuelo (Cuenca Matanza – Riachuelo Sustainable Development Program) earmarks a portion of its funds for use in purchasing computing equipment to strengthen the Autoridad de Cuenca Matanza Riachuelo (Cuenca Matanza Riachuelo Authority) under the supervision of the Secretaría de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sustentable de la Jefatura de Gabinete de Ministros (Department for Environmental and Sustainable Development of the Cabinet of Ministers). In March 2016, the Government signed an agreement with the World Bank to finance the Cuenca Matanza – Riachuelo Sustainable Development Program for a total cost of approximately U.S.$1 billion;

 

   

Proyecto Nacional para la Gestión Integral de los Residuos Sólidos Urbanos (National Project for the Management of Urban Solid Waste) is the first national project aimed at implementing solutions to waste problems through sustainable measures. The project provides technical and financial assistance for the development of infrastructure and related systems as an incentive for provinces and municipalities to develop their own plans and comprehensive management systems;

 

   

Unidad de Medio Ambiente (Environmental Unit) supports sustainable industrial development in Argentina by promoting environmental factors as a means of improving efficiency and competitiveness;

 

   

El Fondo integral para el Desarrollo Regional (FONDER) finances the development of productive activities and services focused on the needs of medium- small- and micro- enterprises (“MSMEs”) and sectors with the aim of promoting job creation, increasing exports and developing local markets; and

 

   

In June 2021, Congress enacted Law No. 27,621 establishing environmental education at all grade levels to raise awareness on the importance of environmental protection.

 

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BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

Overview

Since June 2017, the Republic reports balance of payments statistics pursuant to a methodology based on the classification criteria set forth in the sixth edition of the Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Balance of payments accounts are used to record the value of the transactions carried out between a country’s residents and the rest of the world. Argentina’s balance of payments is comprised of three accounts:

 

   

the current account, which reflects a broad measure of the country’s international trade (goods and services), primary income (retribution for the temporary use of labor, financial resources or non-produced nonfinancial assets) and secondary income (current transfers for goods and investment income) between residents and non-residents;

 

   

the capital account, which shows credit and debit entries for non-produced, non-financial assets as well as capital transfers between residents and non-residents; and

 

   

the financial account, which registers net acquisition and disposal of financial assets and liabilities between residents and non-residents.

In 2023, the Republic’s current account registered a deficit of U.S.$21.0 billion, compared to a deficit of U.S.$4.1 billion in 2022. This deficit increase was primarily due to a U.S.$21.7 billion decrease in exports of goods, which was partially offset by a U.S.$6.4 billion decrease in import of goods.

In 2023, the Republic’s capital account registered a U.S.$171.0 million surplus, representing a U.S.$22.0 million decrease from the U.S.$193.0 million surplus recorded in 2022, mainly due to an increase in the purchase of non-financial assets.

In 2023, the Republic’s financial account registered net inflows of U.S.$26.7 billion, mainly driven by the sale of U.S.$21.7 billion in reserve assets.

The following table sets forth information on the Republic’s balance of payments for the periods specified.

Balance of Payments

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Current account

   U.S.$ (3,492    U.S.$ 2,688     U.S.$ 6,625     U.S.$ (4,055    U.S.$ (20,956

Trade of Goods and Services

     13,391       12,094       14,995       5,529       (9,353

Goods(1)

     18,234       14,631       18,695       12,352       (2,937

Credit

     65,162       54,946       77,987       88,515       66,836  

Debit

     46,928       40,315       59,291       76,163       69,773  

Services(2)

     (4,843     (2,536     (3,700     (6,823     (6,416

Credit

     14,802       9,492       9,589       14,414       16,111  

Debit

     19,646       12,028       13,289       21,237       22,526  

Primary Income (Earnings)

     (17,732      (10,506     (9,773      (11,528     (13,502

Employee Compensation

     (93     (82     (120     (95     (92

Investment Earnings

     (17,639     (10,423     (9,653     (11,433     (13,411

Direct Investment

     (5,610     (2,610     (4,976     (6,119     (7,407

Portfolio Investments

     (8,708     (4,104     (1,392     (2,047     (1,503

Other Investments

     (3,650     (3,757     (3,291     (3,433     (4,854

Reserve Assets

     328       47       6       166       354  

Secondary Income (Current Transfers)

     849       1,100       1,402       1,944       1,899  

Capital Account

     284       165       253       193       171  

Net external financial needs

     (3,209     2,853       6,878       (3,862     (20,784

Financial Account

     (5,119      1,362       4,502       (7,454      (26,737

Central Bank

     (22,375     (7,227     (4,432     6,920       (20,825

Reserves

     (21,375     (7,727     (106     6,920       (21,675

 

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     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Liabilities

     1,000       (500     4,326       —        (850

Deposit-Collecting Entities

     (2,691     213       (1,610     (2,193     (4,903

Government

     (7,978     2,599       5,533       (5,671     4,559  

Other Sectors

     27,924       5,778       5,011       (6,509     (5,568

Net Errors and Omissions

     (1,911     (1,491     (2,376     (3,591     (5,953

Memorandum Item Transactions of Reserve Assets Change

     (21,375     (7,727     (106     6,920       (21,675

Central Bank International Reserve Variation

     (20,937     (5,461     275       4,936       (21,525

Exchange Rate Adjustment

   U.S.$ 437     U.S.$ 2,266     U.S.$ 381     U.S.$ (1,984   U.S.$ 150  

 

(1)

Goods are calculated on a FOB basis.

(2)

Includes import and export freight and insurance.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Current Account

The Republic’s current account is comprised of the merchandise trade balance, trade in services, primary income (compensation of personnel and revenue from investment) and secondary income (current transfers). The current account registered deficits for the years 2019, 2022 and 2023, and a surplus in 2020 and 2021.

The most important drivers of the current account deficits in 2019, 2022 and 2023 were:

 

   

deficits in the primary income account, mainly due to interest and dividend payments;

 

   

deficits in the trade of services account, mainly due to deficits related to freight and passenger transportation, tourism and royalties; and

 

   

deficits in the trade of goods account.

The drivers of the current account surplus in 2020 and 2021 were:

 

   

a decrease in the services account deficit; and

 

   

a decrease in the primary income account deficit driven by lower interest payments due to the 2020 Debt Exchanges.

In 2019, the current account registered a U.S.$3.5 billion deficit, compared to the U.S.$27.1 billion deficit registered in 2018. The decrease in the current account deficit was mainly the result of a U.S.$23.1 billion variation in the trade of goods and services account, from the U.S.$9.7 billion deficit recorded in 2018 to a U.S.$13.4 billion surplus registered in 2019, driven primarily by a U.S.$18.2 billion surplus in the trade of goods account. In 2019, the primary income account registered a U.S.$17.7 billion deficit, which represented a U.S.$0.9 billion decrease from the U.S.$18.6 billion deficit recorded in 2018, mainly due to a U.S.$1.8 billion decrease in direct investment outflows.

In 2020, the current account registered a U.S.$2.7 billion surplus, compared to the U.S.$3.5 billion deficit in 2019. This variation in the current account balance was mainly due to a U.S.$7.2 billion decrease in the primary income account deficit, mainly due to a U.S.$7.2 billion decrease in investment earnings, a U.S.$4.6 billion decrease in portfolio investment outflows and a U.S.$3.0 billion decrease in direct investment outflows. The trade of goods and services account registered a U.S.$12.1 billion surplus in 2020 compared to a U.S.$13.4 billion surplus in 2019. This decrease in surplus was primarily driven by a U.S.$3.6 billion decrease in the trade of goods account.

In 2021, the current account registered a U.S.$6.6 billion surplus, compared to the U.S.$2.7 billion surplus in 2020. This variation in the current account balance was mainly due to a U.S.$4.1 billion increase in the trade of goods account, a U.S.$2.7 billion decrease in portfolio investment outflow and a U.S.$0.5 billion decrease in other investment outflows. The trade of goods and services account registered a U.S.$15.0 billion surplus in 2021 compared to a U.S.$12.1 billion surplus in 2020. This increase in surplus was primarily driven by a U.S.$23.0 billion increase in the exports of goods account.

In 2022, the current account registered a U.S.$4.1 billion deficit, compared to a U.S.$6.6 billion surplus in 2021. This variation in the current account balance was mainly due to a U.S.$6.3 billion decrease in the trade of goods account, a U.S.$3.1 billion decrease in the trade of services account and a U.S.$1.1 billion increase in direct investment outflows. The trade of goods and services account registered a U.S.$5.5 billion surplus in 2022 compared to a U.S.$15.0 billion surplus in 2021. This decrease in surplus was primarily driven by a U.S.$16.9 billion increase in the import of goods account and a U.S.$7.9 billion increase in the import of services account.

 

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In 2023, the current account registered a U.S.$21.0 billion deficit, compared to a U.S.$4.1 billion surplus in 2022. This variation in the current account balance was mainly due to a U.S.$15.3 billion decrease in the trade of goods account, a U.S.$2.0 billion increase in investment earnings outflows, a U.S.$1.4 billion increase in other investment outflows and a U.S.$1.3 billion increase in direct investment outflows. The trade of goods and services account registered a U.S.$9.3 billion deficit in 2023 compared to a U.S.$5.5 billion surplus in 2022. This variation in the trade of goods and services account balance was primarily driven by a U.S.$21.7 billion decrease in the export of goods account, which was partially offset by a 6.4 billion decrease in the import of goods account.

Trade of Goods

Exports

In 2019, exports of goods totaled U.S.$65.2 billion, representing a 5.4% increase as compared to 2018, primarily due to a 12.2% increase in volumes exported, which was partially offset by a 6.0% decrease in prices.

In 2019:

 

   

exports of primary products increased by 25.1%. This increase resulted from a 33.2% increase in volumes exported (mainly due to the recovery from the drought that affected the agricultural sector in 2018), which was partially offset by a 6.1% decrease in prices;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of agricultural origin increased by 4.6%. This increase resulted from a 14.2% rise in volumes exported, which was partially offset by a 8.5% decrease in prices;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of industrial origin decreased by 6.8%. This decrease resulted from a 4.5% decrease in volumes exported and a 2.4% decrease in prices; and

 

   

exports of fuel and energy increased by 4.1%. This increase resulted from a 12.6% increase in volumes exported, which was partially offset by a 7.6% decrease in prices.

In 2020, exports of goods totaled U.S.$54.9 billion, representing a 15.7% decrease as compared to 2019, primarily due to a 13.1% decrease in volumes exported and a 2.9% decrease in prices.

In 2020:

 

   

exports of primary products decreased by 7.5%. This decrease resulted from a 7.9% decrease in volumes exported (mainly due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the international trade of goods and services), which was partially offset by a 0.4% increase in prices;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of agricultural origin decreased by 9.1%. This decrease resulted from a 10.0% decrease in volumes exported, which was only partially offset by a 1.0% increase in prices;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of industrial origin decreased by 30.8%. This decrease resulted from a 28.3% decrease in volumes exported and a 3.4% decrease in prices; and

 

   

exports of fuel and energy decreased by 18.5%. This decrease resulted from a 32.4% decrease in prices, which was partially offset by a 20.9% increase in volumes exported.

On May 19, 2021, the Government announced the suspension of meat exports during a 30-day period. On June 22, 2021, the Government suspended exports of certain beef cuts and established a monthly quota for exports of other beef products (not to exceed 50% of the monthly average exported tons of such products between July and December 2020), in each case, until December 31, 2021. In August 2021, the Government began easing the above-mentioned restrictions but returned to the suspension and restriction of certain beef cuts from January 2022 through December 31, 2023.

During 2021, the Government announced new measures to promote exports, mainly by encouraging the productive transformation of small and medium-sized companies by providing financing and incorporating more companies into a plan launched by the Government in 2018 to develop local suppliers in strategic sectors. These measures include:

 

   

In April 2021, the Government issued Decree No. 234/2021 launching an investment promotion regime for exports. The regime includes the promotion of productive projects in the forestry, mining, hydrocarbon, manufacturing and agro-industrial sectors, as well as the expansion of existing business units that require investments to increase production. The regime permits companies to use freely up to 20% of the foreign currency obtained from exports associated to a new investment, subject to a maximum annual threshold equal to 25% of the gross amount of foreign currency invested in such project.

 

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The Ministry of Productive Development called for bids for a Ps.3 billion MSME productive development program, which will be supported by the Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Productivo (National Fund for Productive Development, or FONDEP) and is intended to create strategic projects MSMEs to increase their productivity, added value and volume of exports.

 

   

In March 2021, the Ministry of Productive Development launched a program directed at companies interested in accessing the National Supplier Development Program (PRODEPRO). The program is aimed at encouraging the development of national suppliers in strategic sectors to boost the industry, diversify the national productive matrix to increase added value and promote competitiveness and productive transformation in strategic sectors. In 2021, the Government provided assistance under this program to different sectors through non-refundable contributions and credits at subsidized interest rate.

In 2021, exports of goods totaled U.S.$78 billion, representing a 42% increase as compared to 2020, primarily due to a 12.8% increase in volumes exported and a 25.8% increase in prices.

In 2021:

 

   

exports of primary products increased by 34.6%. This increase resulted from a 5.4% increase in volumes exported and a 27.7% increase in prices;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of agricultural origin increased by 42.0%. This increase resulted from a 11.6% increase in volumes exported and a 27.2% increase in prices;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of industrial origin increased by 49.9%. This increase resulted from a 32.7% increase in volumes exported and a 12.8% increase in prices; and

 

   

exports of fuel and energy increased by 46.3%. This increase resulted from a 71.8% increase in prices, which was partially offset by a 14.9% decrease in volumes exported.

In 2022, exports of goods totaled U.S.$88.5 billion, representing a 13.5% increase as compared to 2021, primarily due to a 16.2% increase in prices, which was partially offset by a 2.3% decrease in volumes exported.

In 2022:

 

   

exports of primary products increased by 9.2%. This increase resulted from a 12.6% increase in prices, which was partially offset by a 3.0% decrease in volumes exported;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of agricultural origin increased by 6.8%. This increase resulted from a 16.8% increase in prices, which was partially offset by an 8.6% decrease in volumes exported;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of industrial origin increased by 15.6%. This increase resulted from a 3.0% increase in volumes exported and a 12.3% increase in prices; and

 

   

exports of fuel and energy increased by 63.2%. This increase resulted from a 43.4% increase in prices and a 13.9% increase in volumes exported.

In 2023, exports of goods totaled U.S.$66.8 billion, representing a 24.5% decrease as compared to 2022, primarily due to a 9.7% decrease in prices and a 16.4% decrease in volumes exported.

In 2023:

 

   

exports of primary products decreased by 39.4%. This decrease resulted from a 5.9% decrease in prices and a 35.7% decrease in volumes exported;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of agricultural origin decreased by 27.9%. This decrease resulted from a 12.1% decrease in prices and an 18.0% decrease in volumes exported;

 

   

exports of manufactured goods of industrial origin decreased by 10.4%. This decrease resulted from a 3.4% decrease in volumes exported and a 7.2% decrease in prices; and

 

   

exports of fuel and energy decreased by 7.4%. This decrease resulted from an 18.4% decrease in prices, which was partially offset by a 13.3% increase in volumes exported.

 

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The following tables set forth information on Argentina’s export products for the periods specified.

Exports by Groups of Products (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Primary products:

              

Cereal

   U.S.$ 9,408      U.S.$ 9,040      U.S.$ 13,645      U.S.$ 15,548      U.S.$ 8,656  

Seeds and oilseeds

     4,095        3,413        3,884        4,345        2,096  

Fish and raw seafood

     1,558        1,485        1,721        1,536        1,484  

Fruits

     711        678        627        524        503  

Vegetables

     641        686        669        633        545  

Copper

     346        214        397        300        416  

Tobacco

     238        232        244        316        270  

Honey

     147        172        220        248        184  

Others

     376        287        402        381        259  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     17,520        16,207        21,808        23,830        14,412  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Manufactured goods of agricultural origin:

              

Residues(2)

     9,515        8,404        12,743        13,216        8,989  

Oils and fats

     4,698        4,808        8,694        9,152        5,826  

Meat

     3,946        3,424        3,501        4,156        3,231  

Vegetable Products

     1,013        741        782        812        823  

Drinks, alcoholic beverages and vinegar

     889        884        973        946        781  

Grain mill products

     777        690        846        1,018        935  

Dairy food

     772        979        1,143        1,419        1,160  

Hides and skins

     586        325        450        463        416  

Others

     1,768        1,531        1,798        1,873        1,660  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     23,962        21,786        30,929        33,055        23,822  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Manufactured goods of industrial origin:

              

Transport equipment

     6,454        3,878        6,466        7,932        8,293  

Chemicals

     3,841        3,183        5,009        6,107        4,291  

Stones and precious metals

     2,563        2,144        2,555        2,673        2,577  

Basic metals

     2,045        1,253        1,841        2,079        2,042  

Machines and equipment

     1,372        1,067        1,375        1,590        1,476  

Plastics

     842        711        1,041        1,081        782  

Paper, cardboard, and printed publications

     471        363        458        463        338  

Rubber and its manufactures

     291        164        232        225        182  

Maritime, fluvial and air transport vehicles

     195        77        162        247        117  

Others

     1,137        458        776        655        544  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     19,211        13,298        19,913        23,051        20,643  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fuel and energy:

              

Fuel

     4,422        3,593        5,284        8,509        7,911  

Energy

     —         —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     4,422        3,593        5,284        8,509        7,911  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total exports

   U.S.$ 65,115      U.S.$ 54,884      U.S.$ 77,934      U.S.$ 88,446      U.S.$ 66,789  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Measured on a FOB basis.

(2)

Residues refer to the byproducts left over from the processing of agricultural goods that can be resold for other purposes.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

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Exports by Groups of Products (1)

(as % of total exports)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Primary products:

          

Cereal

     14.4     16.4     17.5     17.6     13.0

Seeds and oilseeds

     6.3       6.2       5.0       4.9       3.1  

Fish and raw seafood

     2.4       2.7       2.2       1.7       2.2  

Fruits

     1.1       1.2       0.8       0.6       0.8  

Vegetables

     1.0       1.2       0.9       0.7       0.8  

Copper

     0.5       0.5       0.5       0.3       0.6  

Tobacco

     0.4       0.4       0.3       0.4       0.4  

Honey

     0.2       0.3       0.3       0.3       0.3  

Others

     0.6       0.5       0.5       0.4       0.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     26.9     29.5     28.0     26.9     21.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Manufactured goods of agricultural origin:

          

Residues(2)

     14.6       15.4       16.4       14.9       13.5  

Oils and fats

     7.2       8.8       11.2       10.3       8.7  

Meat

     6.1       6.2       4.5       4.7       4.8  

Vegetable Products

     1.6       1.3       1.0       0.9       1.2  

Drinks, alcoholic beverages and vinegar

     1.4       1.6       1.2       1.1       1.2  

Grain mill products

     1.2       1.3       1.1       1.2       1.4  

Dairy food

     1.2       1.8       1.5       1.6       1.7  

Hides and skins

     0.9       0.6       0.6       0.5       0.6  

Others

     2.7       2.7       2.3       2.1       2.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     36.8     39.7     39.7     37.4     35.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Manufactured goods of industrial origin:

          

Transport equipment

     9.9       7.0       8.3       9.0       12.4  

Chemicals

     5.9       5.8       6.4       6.9       6.4  

Stones and precious metals

     3.9       3.9       3.3       3.0       3.9  

Basic metals

     3.1       2.3       2.4       2.4       3.1  

Machines and equipment

     2.1       1.9       1.8       1.8       2.2  

Plastics

     1.3       1.3       1.3       1.2       1.2  

Paper, cardboard, and printed publications

     0.7       0.7       0.6       0.5       0.5  

Rubber and its manufactures

     0.4       0.3       0.3       0.3       0.3  

Maritime, fluvial and air transport vehicles

     0.3       0.1       0.2       0.3       0.2  

Others

     1.7       0.9       1.0       0.7       0.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     29.5     24.2     25.6     26.1     30.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fuel and energy:

          

Fuel

     6.8       6.5       6.8       9.6       11.8  

Energy

     —        —        —        —        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     6.8     6.5     6.8     9.6     11.8
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Exports

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Measured on a FOB basis.

(2)

Residues refer to the byproducts left over from the processing of agricultural goods that can be resold for other purposes.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Imports

In 2019, imports of goods decreased by 25.0% to U.S.$49.1 billion from U.S.$65.5 billion in 2018. Capital goods and spare parts and accessories for capital goods decreased 23.8% and represented 37.9% of total imports, while imports of intermediate goods decreased by 16.2% and amounted to 34.9% of total imports. Imports of fuel and energy decreased by 32.2% and imports of motor vehicles for passengers decreased by 55.2%, while imports of consumption goods decreased by 25.6%, in each case, in terms of their U.S. dollar value.

 

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In 2020, imports of goods decreased by 13.8% to U.S.$42.4 billion from U.S.$49.1 billion in 2019. Capital goods and spare parts and accessories for capital goods decreased by 19.5% and represented 35.3% of total imports, while imports of intermediate goods decreased by 2.1% and amounted to 39.6% of total imports. Imports of fuel and energy decreased by 40.6% and imports of motor vehicles for passengers decreased by 31.7%, while imports of consumption goods decreased by 4.7%, in each case, in terms of their U.S. dollar value.

In 2021, imports of goods increased by 49.2% to U.S.$63.2 billion from U.S.$42.3 billion in 2020. Capital goods and spare parts and accessories for capital goods increased by 47.5% and represented 34.9% of total imports, while imports of intermediate goods increased by 53.6% and amounted to 40.8% of total imports. Imports of fuel and energy increased by 121.3% and imports of motor vehicles for passengers increased by 4.8%, while imports of consumption goods increased by 20.3%, in each case, in terms of their U.S. dollar value.

In 2022, imports of goods increased by 29.0% to U.S.$81.5 billion from U.S.$63.2 billion in 2021. Capital goods and spare parts and accessories for capital goods increased by 24.6% and represented 33.7% of total imports, while imports of intermediate goods increased by 16.5% and amounted to 36.8% of total imports. Imports of fuel and energy increased by 15.8% and imports of motor vehicles for passengers increased by 2.4%, while imports of consumption goods increased by 10.5%, in each case, in terms of their U.S. dollar value.

In 2023, imports of goods decreased by 9.6% to U.S.$73.7 billion from U.S.$81.5 billion in 2022. Capital goods and spare parts and accessories for capital goods decreased by 1.7% and represented 36.7% of total imports, while imports of intermediate goods decreased by 5.0% and amounted to 38.7% of total imports. Imports of fuel and energy decreased by 38.4% and imports of motor vehicles for passengers decreased by 7.3%, while imports of consumption goods decreased by 7.3%, in each case, in terms of their U.S. dollar value.

The following tables set forth information on Argentina’s import products grouped by economic uses for the periods specified.

Imports by Economic Uses (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Intermediate goods

   U.S.$ 17,132      U.S.$ 16,765      U.S.$ 25,758      U.S.$ 30,009      U.S.$ 28,494  

Parts and accessories of capital goods

     10,124        7,592        11,890        15,037        15,966  

Capital goods

     8,478        7,374        10,181        12,454        11,050  

Consumption goods

     6,314        6,015        7,236        8,567        7,940  

Fuel and energy

     4,446        2,640        5,843        12,868        7,924  

Motor vehicles for passengers

     2,362        1,614        1,692        1,996        1,849  

Others

     268        356        584        592        490  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   U.S.$ 49,125      U.S.$ 42,356      U.S.$ 63,184      U.S.$ 81,523      U.S.$ 73,714  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Measured on a CIF basis. Data set forth in this table differs from the data presented in the tables titled “Balance of Payments” because the latter was calculated on a FOB basis.

 

D-66


The following tables set forth information on Argentina’s import products grouped by principal characteristics for the periods specified.

Imports by Groups of Products (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2019      2020(2)      2021(2)      2022(2)      2023(2)  

Machines, instruments and electric materials

   U.S.$ 14,013      U.S.$ 11,145      U.S.$ 16,175      U.S.$ 20,215      U.S.$ 19,300  

Industrial products

     8,939        8,946        12,645        14,977        11,838  

Transport equipment

     5,991        4,815        6,710        8,144        8,446  

Mineral products

     4,785        3,024        7,028        13,961        8,635  

Plastic, rubber and manufactures

     2,968        2,850        4,194        5,066        4,402  

Common metals and manufactures

     2,784        2,348        4,431        5,042        4,702  

Products of vegetable origin

     2,213        2,737        3,503        3,163        6,623  

Optical instruments, medical-surgical precision equipment, watches and music equipment

     1,435        1,232        1,680        1,947        1,930  

Textiles and manufactures

     1,173        1,118        1,379        1,835        1,508  

Wood pulp, paper and paperboard

     994        882        977        1,292        1,164  

Commodities and other products

     838        660        858        1,128        1,046  

Feeding products, beverages and tobacco

     800        829        995        1,195        1,113  

Footwear, umbrellas, artificial flowers and others

     446        303        459        706        753  

Stone manufactures, plaster and cement, asbestos, mica, ceramic and glass

     433        397        614        735        627  

Live animals and products of animal origin

     263        218        320        357        219  

Other products

     1,050        852        1,216        1,760        1,408  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total imports

   U.S.$ 49,125      U.S.$ 42,356      U.S.$ 63,184      U.S.$ 81,523      U.S.$ 73,714  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Measured on a CIF basis. Data set forth in this table differs from the data presented in the tables titled “Balance of Payments” because the latter was calculated on a FOB basis.

(2)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Imports by Groups of Products (1)

(as % of total imports)

 

     2019     2020(2)     2021(2)     2022(2)     2023(2)  

Machines, instruments and electric materials

     28.5     26.3     25.6     24.8     26.2

Industrial products

     18.2       21.1       20.0       18.4       16.1  

Transport equipment

     12.2       11.4       10.6       10.0       11.5  

Mineral products

     9.7       7.1       11.1       17.1       11.7  

Plastic, rubber and manufactures

     6.0       6.7       6.6       6.2       6.0  

Common metals and manufactures

     5.7       5.5       7.0       6.2       6.4  

Products of vegetable origin

     4.5       6.5       5.5       3.9       9.0  

Optical instruments, medical-surgical precision equipment, watches and music equipment

     2.9       2.9       2.7       2.4       2.6  

Textiles and manufactures

     2.4       2.6       2.2       2.3       2.0  

Wood pulp, paper and paperboard

     2.0       2.1       1.5       1.6       1.6  

Commodities and other products

     1.7       1.6       1.4       1.4       1.4  

Feeding products, beverages and tobacco

     1.6       2.0       1.6       1.5       1.5  

Footwear, umbrellas, artificial flowers and others

     0.9       0.7       0.7       0.9       1.0  

Stone manufactures, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, ceramic and glass

     0.9       0.9       1.0       0.9       0.9  

Live animals and products of animal origin

     0.5       0.5       0.5       0.4       0.3  

Other products

     2.1       2.0       1.9       2.2       1.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total imports

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Measured on a CIF basis. Data set forth in this table differs from the data presented in the tables titled “Balance of Payments” because the latter was calculated on a FOB basis.

(2)

Preliminary data.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-67


Trade Regulation

Until the beginning of the 1990s, Argentina had a relatively closed economy modeled around import substitution policies with significant trade barriers. Although certain reforms were pursued from the 1960s through the 1980s to liberalize trade, it was only during the 1990s that the Government implemented significant trade liberalization measures.

Trade policies remained relatively stable during the 1990s, marked by few export tariffs and low import tariffs in certain sectors of the economy. Following the collapse of the Convertibility Regime in 2002, the Government introduced trade measures intended to increase Government revenues, stem the outflow of foreign currencies, manage the pricing of basic goods (including by discouraging exports) and protect local industries.

Geographic Distribution of Trade

Argentina’s primary trading partner is Brazil. Argentina also conducts a substantial amount of trade with China, the United States and other countries in Latin America and Europe.

The following tables provide information on the geographic distribution of Argentine exports for the periods specified.

Geographic Distribution of Exports (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Brazil

   U.S.$ 10,385      U.S.$ 7,941      U.S.$ 11,767      U.S.$ 12,637      U.S.$ 11,857  

China

     7,053        5,397        6,295        8,015        5,270  

United States

     4,110        3,310        4,999        6,701        5,648  

Chile

     3,069        2,888        4,205        5,020        4,940  

Netherlands

     1,807        1,593        2,985        3,567        1,559  

Peru

     1,588        1,378        2,008        2,439        2,555  

Spain

     1,432        1,103        1,849        1,735        1,441  

Uruguay

     1,136        1,051        1,334        1,544        1,659  

Paraguay

     1,017        876        1,293        1,322        1,205  

Germany

     942        723        811        887        764  

Canada

     651        439        705        874        800  

Rest of ALADI(2)

     3,077        2,330        3,591        4,468        3,695  

Rest of EU

     4,641        5,487        6,607        7,223        5,556  

Association of Southeast

Asian Nations

     6,351        5,845        7,431        7,875        5,062  

Middle East

     3,304        3,194        4,499        4,649        2,841  

Rest of Asia

     3,905        3,992        7,396        8,018        4,388  

Rest of world(3)

     9,743        6,488        9,323        10,151        6,401  

Indeterminate destination(4)

     904        849        836        1,321        1,149  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   U.S.$ 65,115      U.S.$ 54,884      U.S.$ 77,934      U.S.$ 88,446      U.S.$ 66,789  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Memorandum items:

              

MERCOSUR(5)

   U.S.$ 12,690      U.S.$ 9,999      U.S.$ 14,603      U.S.$ 15,761      U.S.$ 15,073  

ALADI

   U.S.$ 20,272      U.S.$ 16,464      U.S.$ 24,198      U.S.$ 27,430      U.S.$ 25,911  

 

(1)

Measured on a FOB basis.

(2)

As of December 31, 2023, ALADI comprised the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela.

(3)

Includes exports to all other countries.

(4)

Includes exports for which the destination could not be identified.

(5)

As of the date of this Annual Report, MERCOSUR comprised the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is suspended from all rights and obligations inherent in its status as a State Party to MERCOSUR, in accordance with the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 5 of the Ushuaia Protocol. For more information on MERCOSUR members see “The Republic of Argentina—Foreign Affairs and International Organizations—MERCOSUR.”

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-68


Geographic Distribution of Exports (1)

(as % of total exports)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Brazil

     15.9     14.5     15.1     14.3     17.8

China

     10.8       9.8       8.1       9.1       7.9  

United States

     6.3       6.0       6.4       7.6       8.5  

Chile

     4.7       5.3       5.4       5.7       7.4  

Netherlands

     2.8       2.9       3.8       4.0       2.3  

Peru

     2.4       2.5       2.6       2.8       3.8  

Spain

     2.2       2.0       2.4       2.0       2.2  

Uruguay

     1.7       1.9       1.7       1.7       2.5  

Paraguay

     1.6       1.6       1.7       1.5       1.8  

Germany

     1.4       1.3       1.0       1.0       1.1  

Canada

     1.0       0.8       0.9       1.0       1.2  

Rest of ALADI(2)

     4.7       4.2       4.6       5.1       5.5  

Rest of EU

     7.1       10.0       8.5       8.2       8.3  

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

     9.8       10.6       9.5       8.9       7.6  

Middle East

     5.1       5.8       5.8       5.3       4.3  

Rest of Asia

     6.0       7.3       9.5       9.1       6.6  

Rest of world(3)

     15.0       11.8       12.0       11.5       9.6  

Indeterminate destination(4)

     1.4       1.5       1.1       1.5       1.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Memorandum items:

          

MERCOSUR(5)

     19.4     18.2     18.7     17.8     22.6

ALADI

     31.1     30.0     31.0     31.0     38.8

 

(1)

Measured on a FOB basis.

(2)

As of December 31, 2023, ALADI comprised the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

(3)

Includes exports from all other countries.

(4)

Includes exports for which the destination could not be identified.

(5)

As of the date of this Annual Report, MERCOSUR comprised the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is suspended from all rights and obligations inherent in its status as a State Party to MERCOSUR, in accordance with the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 5 of the Ushuaia Protocol. For more information on MERCOSUR members see “The Republic of Argentina—Foreign Affairs and International Organizations—MERCOSUR.”

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-69


The following tables provide information on the geographic distribution of Argentina’s imports for the periods specified.

Geographic Distribution of Imports (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Brazil

   U.S.$ 10,094      U.S.$ 8,649      U.S.$ 12,392      U.S.$ 15,979      U.S.$ 17,295  

China

     9,267        8,664        13,538        17,516        14,497  

United States

     6,274        4,414        5,922        10,330        8,630  

Germany

     2,766        1,988        2,527        2,719        2,784  

Paraguay

     1,647        2,218        2,915        1,959        3,912  

Bolivia

     1,369        1,030        1,055        2,220        1,190  

Italy

     1,126        1,007        1,312        1,678        1,811  

Mexico

     1,125        946        1,403        1,711        1,562  

Spain

     977        706        1,084        1,260        1,261  

Japan

     895        724        1,140        1,201        1,222  

France

     885        782        1,002        1,099        1,096  

Rest of ALADI(2)

     1,633        1,560        2,183        3,263        2,343  

Rest of EU

     3,193        2,142        4,889        6,280        5,301  

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

     2,685        2,489        3,928        4,225        4,117  

Middle East

     533        482        1,579        2,534        830  

Rest of Asia

     1,670        1,558        2,643        3,226        2,661  

Rest of world(3)

     2,403        2,544        3,007        3,430        2,384  

Indeterminate origin(4)

     583        453        665        892        819  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total(5)

   U.S.$ 49,125      U.S.$ 42,356      U.S.$ 63,184      U.S.$ 81,523      U.S.$ 73,714  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Memorandum items:

              

MERCOSUR(6)

     12,159        11,284        15,929        19,264        21,854  

ALADI

     15,868        14,403        19,948        25,131        26,301  

 

(1)

Measured on a CIF basis.

(2)

As of December 31, 2023, ALADI comprised the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

(3)

Includes imports from all other countries.

(4)

Includes imports for which the origin could not be identified.

(5)

Data set forth in this table is updated more frequently than the data presented in the “Balance of Payments” table and thus total imports in this table may differ from those in the “Balance of Payments” table.

(6)

As of the date of this Annual Report, MERCOSUR comprised the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is suspended from all rights and obligations inherent in its status as a State Party to MERCOSUR, in accordance with the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 5 of the Ushuaia Protocol. For more information on MERCOSUR members see “The Republic of Argentina—Foreign Affairs and International Organizations—MERCOSUR.”

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-70


Geographic Distribution of Imports (1)

(as % of total imports)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Brazil

     20.5     20.4     19.6     19.6     23.5

China

     18.9       20.5       21.4       21.5       19.7  

United States

     12.8       10.4       9.4       12.7       11.7  

Germany

     5.6       4.7       4.0       3.3       3.8  

Paraguay

     3.4       5.2       4.6       2.4       5.3  

Bolivia

     2.8       2.4       1.7       2.7       1.6  

Italy

     2.3       2.4       2.1       2.1       2.5  

Mexico

     2.3       2.2       2.2       2.1       2.1  

Spain

     2.0       1.7       1.7       1.5       1.7  

Japan

     1.8       1.7       1.8       1.5       1.7  

France

     1.8       1.8       1.6       1.3       1.5  

Rest of ALADI(2)

     3.3       3.7       3.5       4.0       3.2  

Rest of EU

     6.5       5.1       7.7       7.7       7.2  

Association of Southeast Asian Nations

     5.5       5.9       6.2       5.2       5.6  

Middle East

     1.1       1.1       2.5       3.1       1.1  

Rest of Asia

     3.4       3.7       4.2       4.0       3.6  

Rest of world(3)

     4.9       6.0       4.8       4.2       3.2  

Indeterminate origin(4)

     1.2       1.1       1.1       1.1       1.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total(5)

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Memorandum items:

          

MERCOSUR(6)

     24.8     26.6     25.2     23.6     29.6

ALADI

     32.3     34.0     31.6     30.8     35.7

 

(1)

Measured on a CIF basis.

(2)

As of December 31, 2023, ALADI comprised the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Panama, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela.

(3)

Includes imports from all other countries.

(4)

Includes imports for which the origin could not be identified.

(5)

Data set forth in this table is updated more frequently than the data presented in the “Balance of Payments” table and thus total imports in this table may differ from those in the “Balance of Payments” table.

(6)

As of the date of this Annual Report, MERCOSUR comprised the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is suspended from all rights and obligations inherent in its status as a State Party to MERCOSUR, in accordance with the provisions of the second paragraph of Article 5 of the Ushuaia Protocol. For more information on MERCOSUR members see “The Republic of Argentina—Foreign Affairs and International Organizations—MERCOSUR.”

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Trade with MERCOSUR Countries

Framework

In addition to Argentina, the MERCOSUR Member States include Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and, commencing in 2012, Venezuela. Since December 2016, Venezuela’s status as a full member has been suspended by the other Member States. See “The Republic of Argentina—Foreign Affairs and International Organizations—MERCOSUR.” In July 2015, Bolivia signed a protocol to become a full member of MERCOSUR, which remains subject to ratification by the national congresses of Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. MERCOSUR’s objective is to gradually integrate the economies of its member countries through the elimination of trade barriers, the harmonization of macroeconomic policies and the establishment of a common external tariff and a common external trade policy. See, however, “The Republic of Argentina—Foreign Affairs and International Organizations.”

 

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Trade

Trade among MERCOSUR Member States increased significantly in the 10 years leading up to 2010, but has decreased ever since. This decline has occurred in the context of deteriorating external and internal economic conditions. This negative performance has been a widespread phenomenon affecting all Member States.

Argentina’s trade with MERCOSUR Member States reached U.S.$36.9 billion in 2023, representing 26.3% of Argentina’s total trade. Argentine exports to the other MERCOSUR Member States amounted U.S.$15.1 billion, equivalent to 22.6% of Argentina’s total global exports, while imports from MERCOSUR amounted to U.S.$21.9 billion, equivalent to 29.6% of Argentina’s total imports. Argentina registered a U.S.$6.8 billion trade deficit with MERCOSUR in 2023, as compared to U.S.$3.5 billion deficit in 2022. This variation was primarily due to an increase in the trade deficit with Brazil, from a U.S.$3.4 billion deficit in 2022 to a U.S.$5.5 billion deficit in 2023.

Brazil

Brazil is Argentina’s primary export market and source of imports. Manufactured goods of industrial origin account for approximately 30.9% of total exports. In 2023, the main imports from Brazil included intermediate goods, which totaled U.S.$8.5 billion, and parts and accessories goods which totaled U.S.$3.8 billion. Main exports to Brazil in 2023 were manufactured goods of industrial origin, which totaled U.S.$7.4 billion, followed by manufactured goods of agricultural origin, which totaled U.S.$1.9 billion. In 2023, Argentina’s trade deficit with Brazil was U.S.$5.4 billion, compared to a deficit of U.S.$3.4 billion in 2022, driven by a 8.2% increase in total imports from Brazil.

The decrease in exports to Brazil in 2023 as compared to 2022 was mainly the result of a 32.0% decrease in exports of primary goods and a 5.2% decrease in manufactured goods of industrial origin.

The increase in imports from Brazil in 2023 as compared to 2022 was driven by a 20.7% increase in imports of intermediate goods and a 14.4% increase in imports of parts and accessories of capital goods.

China

China is one of Argentina’s main trade partners. Imports from China include mainly chemical products, machinery and electronic devices, motorcycles and engines with small cylinder volumes, and toys. Exports to China include mainly agricultural commodities, such as wheat, soy and corn, as well as meat and its derivative products.

In 2023, imports from China included mainly intermediate goods, which totaled U.S.$4.5 billion, capital goods, which totaled U.S.$4.2 billion, and spare parts and accessories, which totaled U.S.$3.7 billion. Exports to China in 2023 were mainly manufactured products of agricultural origin for U.S.$2.4 billion, followed by primary products, which totaled U.S.$2.2 billion. In 2023, Argentina’s trade deficit with China was U.S.$9.2 billion, as compared to U.S.$9.5 billion in 2022.

Total imports from China decreased by 17.2% in 2023 as compared to 2022, mainly due to a decrease in imports of capital goods.

Total exports to China decreased by 34.2% in 2023 as compared to 2022, mainly due to a 49.5% decrease in exports of primary products and a 19.0% decrease in exports of manufactured products of agricultural origin.

United States

Historically, the United States has been one of Argentina’s most important trade partners. Manufactured goods constitute a significant share of Argentine exports to the United States, while capital and intermediate goods constitute a significant share of Argentina’s imports from the United States.

In 2023, imports from the United States included mainly fuel, which totaled U.S.$3.1 billion, intermediate goods, which totaled U.S.$2.9 billion, and spare parts and accessories, which totaled U.S.$1.0 billion. Exports to the United States for the same period were mainly manufactured products of industrial origin, which totaled U.S.$2.0 billion, followed by fuel, which totaled U.S.$2.0 billion. In 2023, Argentina’s trade deficit with the United States was U.S.$1.7 billion, as compared to a deficit of U.S.$3.6 billion in 2022, mainly due to a 16.5% decrease in total imports from the United States.

The decrease in imports from the United States in 2023 as compared to 2022 was mainly the result of decreases in imports of fuel and intermediate goods by 26.8% and 17.2%, respectively.

 

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The decrease in exports to the United States in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily due to a 19.2% decrease in primary products and a 26.1% decrease in exports of fuel and energy.

Trade of Services

The services trade balance records the amount of services (including financial services, but excluding payments of interest, dividends and other income) that Argentine residents purchase outside Argentina, relative to the amount of services that non-residents purchase in Argentina. For instance, a deficit in service trade indicates that the value of services purchased by Argentine residents outside Argentina exceeds the value of services purchased in Argentina by non-residents. Argentina’s services account also factors in partially in Argentina’s overall level of trade in goods since it includes the freight and insurance services associated with export and import transactions.

In 2019, net outflows recorded by the trade of services account decreased by U.S.$4.1 billion to U.S.$4.8 billion, as a result of a decrease in outflows on account of services, which surpassed the decrease in inflows on account of services. Specifically, the decrease in net outflows recorded by the trade of services account in 2019 was due to:

 

   

a 48.9% decrease in net outflows in the tourism account, from U.S.$5.1 billion in 2018 to U.S.$2.6 billion in 2019; and

 

   

a 33.8% decrease in net outflows in the transportation account, from U.S.$3.0 billion in 2018 to U.S.$2.0 billion in 2019.

In 2020, net outflows recorded by the trade of services account decreased by U.S.$2.3 billion to U.S.$2.5 billion, as a result of a decrease in outflows on account of services, which surpassed the decrease in inflows on account of services. Specifically, the decrease in net outflows recorded by the trade of services account in 2020 was due to:

 

   

a 55.5% decrease in net outflows in the tourism account, from U.S.$2.6 billion in 2019 to U.S.$1.2 billion in 2020; and

 

   

a 56.2% decrease in net outflows in the transportation account, from U.S.$2.0 billion in 2019 to U.S.$0.9 billion in 2020.The table below sets forth the net results of Argentina’s services trade for the periods specified.

In 2021, net outflows recorded by the trade of services account increased by U.S.$1.2 billion to U.S.$3.7 billion, as a result of an increase in outflows on account of services, which was partially offset by an increase in inflows on account of services. Specifically, the increase in net outflows recorded by the trade of services account in 2021 was due to:

 

   

a 19.9% increase in net outflows in royalties, from U.S.$0.9 billion in 2020 to U.S.$1.1 billion in 2021; and

 

   

a 131.9% increase in net outflows in the transportation account, from U.S.$0.9 billion in 2020 to U.S.$2.0 billion in 2021.

In 2022, net outflows recorded by the trade of services account increased by U.S.$3.1 billion to U.S.$6.8 billion, as a result of an increase in outflows on account of services, which was partially offset by an increase in inflows on account of services. Specifically, the increase in net outflows recorded by the trade of services account in 2022 was due to:

 

   

a 117.4% increase in net outflows in tourism, from U.S.$1.0 billion in 2021 to U.S.$2.1 billion in 2022; and

 

   

a 108.0% increase in net outflows in the transportation account, from U.S.$2.0 billion in 2021 to U.S.$4.2 billion in 2022.

In 2023, net outflows recorded by the trade of services account decreased by U.S.$0.4 billion to U.S.$6.4 billion, as a result of an increase in inflows on account of services, which was partially offset by an increase in outflows on account of services. Specifically, the decrease in net outflows recorded by the trade of services account in 2023 was due to:

 

   

a 13.1% decrease in net outflows in tourism, from U.S.$2.1 billion in 2022 to U.S.$1.8 billion in 2023; and

 

   

a 17.8% decrease in net outflows in the transportation account, from U.S.$4.2 billion in 2022 to U.S.$3.4 billion in 2023.

 

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The table below sets forth the net results of Argentina’s services trade for the periods specified.

Services

(in millions of U.S. dollars, at current prices)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Transportation:

          

Freight

   U.S.$ (1,453   U.S.$ (1,304   U.S.$ (2,440   U.S.$ (3,580   U.S.$ (2,692

Passenger

     (1,583     (340     (471     (1,614     (1,679

Other

     1,067       781       908       1,030       949  

Total transportation

     (1,969     (863     (2,002     (4,164     (3,423

Tourism

     (2,609     (1,162     (963     (2,093     (1,820

Royalties

     (1,404     (938     (1,124     (1,465     (1,499

Professional, technical, business services

     1,440       858       901       1,402       1,716  

Others(1)

     (299     (431     (512     (503     (1,391
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total services

   U.S.$ (4,843   U.S.$ (2,536   U.S.$ (3,700   U.S.$ (6,823   U.S.$ (6,416
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes communication, construction, insurance, financial, information, entertainment and recreational services, as well as certain Government services.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Tourism

In 2019, the tourism sector registered U.S.$2.6 billion in net outflows compared to U.S.$5.1 billion in net outflows in 2018. This decrease in net outflows was primarily due to a 26.4% decrease in outflows related to residents traveling abroad, while inflows related to non-residents traveling to Argentina decreased by 5.8%.

In 2020, the tourism sector registered U.S.$1.2 billion in net outflows compared to U.S.$2.6 billion in net outflows in 2019. This decrease in net outflows was primarily due to a 63.2% decrease in outflows related to residents traveling abroad, while inflows related to non-residents traveling to Argentina decreased by 67.0%.

In 2021, the tourism sector registered U.S.$1.0 billion in net outflows compared to U.S.$1.2 billion in net outflows in 2020. This decrease in net outflows was primarily due to a 53.0% decrease in outflows related to residents traveling abroad. In 2021, inflows related to non-residents traveling to Argentina decreased by 77.2%.

In 2022, the tourism sector registered U.S.$2.1 billion in net outflows compared to U.S.$0.96 billion in net outflows in 2021. This increase in net outflows was primarily due to a 310.2% increase in outflows related to residents traveling abroad. In 2022, inflows related to non-residents traveling to Argentina increased by 781.2%.

In 2023, the tourism sector registered U.S.$1.8 billion in net outflows compared to U.S.$2.1 billion in net outflows in 2022. This decrease in net outflows was primarily due to a 57.9% increase in inflows related to non-residents traveling to Argentina.

 

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The following table sets forth tourism information for the years specified.

Tourism Statistics

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Income from tourism (in millions of U.S.$)

     5,241       1,727       394       3,473       5,486  

Expenses from tourism (in millions of U.S.$)

     7,850       2,889       1,357       5,566       7,306  

Balance (in millions of U.S.$)

     (2,609     (1,162     (963     (2,093     (1,820

 

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Primary income

The primary income account records amounts payable and receivable between residents and non-residents in return for receiving or providing temporary use of labor, financial resources and non-produced non-financial assets, including, among other things, compensation of personnel and investment income (comprised of revenues obtained or paid for direct investment, portfolio investment, other investments and reserve assets).

In 2019, the primary income net deficit decreased by 4.9% to U.S.$17.7 billion, primarily due to a 24.4% decrease in net direct investment deficit and a 6.8% decrease in net portfolio investment deficit, partially offset by a 64.4% increase in other investment net deficit.

In 2020, the primary income net deficit decreased by 40.8% to U.S.$10.5 billion, primarily due to a 53.5% decrease in net direct investment deficit and a 52.9% decrease in net portfolio investment deficit.

In 2021, the primary income net deficit decreased by 7.0% to U.S.$9.8 billion, primarily due to a 66.1% decrease in net portfolio investment deficit.

In 2022, the primary income net deficit increased by 18.0% to U.S.$11.5 billion, primarily due to a 23.0% increase in net direct investment deficit.

In 2023, the primary income net deficit increased by 17.1% to U.S.$13.5 billion, primarily due to a 41.4% increase in net other investment deficit.

The following table sets forth primary income information for the years specified.

Primary Income

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Primary Income (earnings)

     (17,732     (10,506     (9,773     (11,528     (13,502

Credit

     6,328       3,805       2,545       3,880       6,311  

Employee Compensation

     80       73       62       82       84  

Investment Income

     6,248       3,732       2,483       3,799       6,227  

Direct Investment

     1,302       850       852       1,132       2,150  

Portfolio Investment

     3,238       1,927       977       1,275       1,553  

Other Investment

     1,380       909       647       1,226       2,171  

Reserve Assets

     328       47       6       166       354  

Debit

     24,060       14,311       12,318       15,408       19,814  

Employee Compensation

     173       155       182       176       176  

Investment Income

     23,887       14,156       12,135       15,232       19,638  

Direct Investment

     6,911       3,460       5,829       7,251       9,557  

Portfolio Investment

     11,946       6,031       2,368       3,321       3,056  

Other Investment

     5,030       4,665       3,938       4,660       7,025  

 

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

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Capital Account

The capital account records the capital transfers between residents and non-residents of Argentina and the acquisition and disposal of non-produced, non-financial assets.

As required by the balance of payments reporting methodology adopted by INDEC in 2017 in accordance with the IMF recommendations, the capital account is presented separately from the financial account.

The capital account registered surpluses for each year from 2019 to 2022.

In 2019, the capital account recorded U.S.$283.9 million net surplus, a 155.6% increase from the capital account U.S.$111.1 million net surplus recorded in 2018.

In 2020, the capital account recorded U.S.$164.8 million net surplus, a 42.0% decrease from the capital account U.S.$283.9 million net surplus recorded in 2019.

In 2021, the capital account recorded U.S.$253.0 million net surplus, a 53.5% increase from the capital account U.S.$164.8 million net surplus recorded in 2020.

In 2022, the capital account recorded U.S.$192.7 million net surplus, a 23.8% decrease from the capital account U.S.$253.0 million net surplus recorded in 2021.

In 2023, the capital account recorded U.S.$171 million net surplus, a 11.1% decrease from the capital account U.S.$193 million net surplus recorded in 2022.

Financial Account

The financial account records the net acquisition and disposal of financial assets and liabilities between residents and non-residents.

The financial account includes direct investment flows, portfolio investment, financial derivatives (other than foreign currency reserves), other investments and reserve assets (monetary gold, special drawing rights, reserve position in the IMF and other reserve assets). The reserves of the Central Bank make up part of the financial account. Distributable income generated in Argentina by foreign-owned assets that are not distributed, whether by determination of the owner or as a result of regulatory impediments (such as controls on remittances), is treated as an inflow in the year generated and not remitted for the purpose of the financial account.

In 2019, the financial account recorded net inflows of U.S.$5.1 billion, a 81.7% decrease compared to 2018.

Deposit-Collecting Entities. In 2019, deposit-collecting entities recorded net inflows of U.S.$2.7 billion compared to net outflows of U.S.$1.9 billion recorded in 2018. These inflows were mainly due to an increase in purchases of external assets (mainly cash and deposits) which exceeded the net cancellation of external liabilities of deposit-collecting entities .

Government. In 2019, the non-financial public sector recorded net inflows of U.S.$8.0 billion, a U.S.$36.4 billion decrease compared to net inflows of U.S.$44.4 billion recorded in 2018. This decrease was mainly due to a decrease in the amount of debt securities sold in the international capital markets and a decrease in disbursements under the SBA entered into with the IMF.

Other Sectors. In 2019, net outflows in other sectors totaled U.S.$27.9 billion, compared to net outflows of U.S.$10.4 million in the previous year, mainly due to an increase in the acquisition of external financial assets (currency and deposits).

As a result of variations in the current, capital and financial accounts, the Central Bank’s foreign currency reserves decreased by U.S.$21.4 billion.

The Central Bank’s financial liabilities increased by U.S.$1.0 billion as a result of borrowings made under the currency-swap agreement between the Central Bank and the People’s Bank of China, which were partially offset by the cancellation of outstanding Lebacs.

In 2020, the financial account recorded net outflows of U.S.$1.4 billion, compared to net inflows of U.S.$5.1 billion recorded in the previous year.

 

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Deposit-Collecting Entities. In 2020, deposit-collecting entities recorded net outflows of U.S.$0.2 billion compared to net inflows of U.S.$2.7 billion recorded in 2019. These outflows were mainly due to a decrease in external liabilities, which exceeded the net purchases of external assets of deposit-collecting entities.

Government. In 2020, the non-financial public sector recorded net outflows of U.S.$2.6 billion, compared to net inflows of U.S.$8.0 billion recorded in 2019. This change was driven by a decrease in external liabilities, mainly due to debt payments.

Other Sectors. In 2020, net outflows in other sectors totaled U.S.$5.8 billion, compared to net outflows of U.S.$27.9 billion in the previous year. This change was mainly due to a decrease in the acquisition of external financial assets (currency and deposits) compared to the previous year.

As a result of variations in the current, capital and financial accounts, the Central Bank’s foreign currency reserves decreased by U.S.$7.7 billion.

The Central Bank’s financial liabilities decreased by U.S.$0.5 billion as a result of the cancellation of debt with international organizations.

In 2021, the financial account recorded net outflows of U.S.$4.5 billion, compared to net outflows of U.S.$1.4 billion recorded in the previous year.

Deposit-Collecting Entities. In 2021, deposit-collecting entities recorded net inflows of U.S.$1.6 billion compared to net outflows of U.S.$0.2 billion recorded in 2020. These inflows were mainly due to an increase in external liabilities.

Government. In 2021, the non-financial public sector recorded net outflows of U.S.$5.5 billion, compared to net outflows of U.S.$2.6 billion recorded in 2020, mainly due to the payment of loans in an aggregate amount of U.S.$2.3 billion.

Other Sectors. In 2021, net outflows in other sectors totaled U.S.$5.0 billion, compared to net outflows of U.S.$5.8 billion in the previous year. This change was mainly due to an increase in external liabilities compared to the previous year.

As a result of variations in the current, capital and financial accounts, the Central Bank’s foreign currency reserves decreased by U.S.$0.1 billion.

The Central Bank’s financial liabilities increased by U.S.$4.3 billion as a result of borrowing special drawing rights.

In 2022, the financial account recorded net inflows of U.S.$7.5 billion, compared to net outflows of U.S.$4.5 billion recorded in the previous year.

Deposit-Collecting Entities. In 2022, deposit-collecting entities recorded net inflows of U.S.$2.2 billion compared to net inflows of U.S.$1.6 billion recorded in 2021. These inflows were mainly due to an increase in external liabilities.

Government. In 2022, the non-financial public sector recorded net inflows of U.S.$5.7 billion, compared to net outflows of U.S.$5.5 billion recorded in 2021, mainly due to loan disbursements in an aggregate amount of U.S.$9.4 billion.

Other Sectors. In 2022, net inflows in other sectors totaled U.S.$6.5 billion, compared to net outflows of U.S.$5.0 billion in the previous year. This change was mainly due to an increase in external liabilities compared to the previous year.

As a result of variations in the current, capital and financial accounts, the Central Bank’s foreign currency reserves increased by U.S.$6.9 billion.

The Central Bank’s financial liabilities did not register a significant variation compared to the previous year.

In 2023, the financial account recorded net inflows of U.S.$26.7 billion, compared to net inflows of U.S.$7.5 billion recorded in the previous year.

Deposit-Collecting Entities. In 2023, deposit-collecting entities recorded net inflows of U.S.$4.9 billion compared to net inflows of U.S.$2.2 billion recorded in 2022. These inflows were mainly due to an increase in external liabilities.

Government. In 2023, the non-financial public sector recorded net outflows of U.S.$4.6 billion, compared to net inflows of U.S.$5.7 billion recorded in 2022, mainly due to loan payments in an aggregate amount of U.S.$1.9 billion.

 

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Other Sectors. In 2023, net inflows in other sectors totaled U.S.$5.6 billion, compared to net inflows of U.S.$6.5 billion in the previous year. This change was mainly due to a higher increase in external assets than in external liabilities compared to the previous year.

As a result of variations in the current, capital and financial accounts, the Central Bank’s foreign currency reserves decreased by U.S.$21.7 billion.

The Central Bank’s financial liabilities decreased by U.S.$0.8 billion, mainly due to an increase in loan payments compared to the previous year.

Foreign Investment

Foreign Investment Regulation

In 2016, the Government and the Central Bank eliminated all of the restrictions affecting the balance of payments transactions. See “Monetary System—Foreign Exchange and International Reserves—Foreign Exchange.” However, in September 2019, the Central Bank imposed restrictions on foreign currency transactions. See “Monetary System—Monetary Policy.”

Evolution of Portfolio and Direct Investment

The following table sets forth information on portfolio investment, direct investment and other investment in the Argentine economy for the periods indicated.

Flows of Portfolio, Direct and Other Investment

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Financial account

   U.S.$ (5,119   U.S.$ 1,362     U.S.$ 4,502     U.S.$ (7,454   U.S.$ (26,737

Direct Investment

     (5,126     (3,707     (5,114     (13,111     (20,905

Net acquisition of financial assets (debt with foreign entities)

     1,523       1,177       1,544       2,090       2,961  

Net liabilities incurred (debt with foreign entities)

     6,649       4,884       6,658       15,201       23,866  

Portfolio investment

     7,109       1,571       4,940       6,899       5,420  

Net acquisition of financial assets

     2,104       (2,980     1,495       1,815       1,205  

Net liabilities incurred

     (5,004     (4,551     (3,446     (5,084     (4,215

Net financial derivatives

     (24     10       (16     4       10  

Other Investment

     14,297       11,215       4,797       (8,166     10,413  

Net acquisition of financial assets

     31,253       7,539       5,962       7,478       15,380  

Net liability issuance

     16,956       (3,676     1,165       15,644       4,968  

Foreign currency reserves

   U.S.$ (21,375   U.S.$ (7,727   U.S.$ (106   U.S.$ 6,920     U.S.$ (21,675

 

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Foreign Direct Investment

Direct investment in Argentina increased significantly in the 1990s following the implementation of the Convertibility Regime and the elimination of barriers to foreign investment. A significant portion of the capital inflows in the early to mid-1990s resulted from the privatization of state-owned entities that attracted private foreign capital. Net direct investment in Argentina peaked in 1999 with the completion of the privatization of YPF, a process that had started in 1992. Commencing in 2002, the macro-economic policies and the expropriation of private companies, including 51% of the shares of YPF, resulted in a significant decline in capital inflows from direct investment.

In 2019, net inflows from direct investment decreased by U.S.$4.9 billion to U.S.$5.1 billion, as compared to U.S.$10.0 billion in 2018. This decrease was mainly driven by a U.S.$5.2 billion decrease in investments made in Argentina by non-residents.

In 2020, net inflows from direct investment decreased by U.S.$1.4 billion to U.S.$3.7 billion, as compared to U.S.$5.1 billion in 2019. This decrease was mainly driven by a U.S.$1.8 billion decrease in investments made in Argentina by non-residents.

 

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In 2021, net inflows from direct investment increased by U.S.$1.4 billion to U.S.$5.1 billion, as compared to U.S.$3.7 billion in 2020. This increase was mainly driven by a U.S.$1.8 billion increase in investments made by non-residents.

In 2022, net inflows from direct investment increased by U.S.$8.0 billion to U.S.$13.1 billion, as compared to U.S.$5.1 billion in 2021. This increase was mainly driven by a U.S.$8.5 billion increase in direct investments by non-residents.

In 2023, net inflows from direct investment increased by U.S.$7.8 billion to U.S.$20.9 billion, as compared to U.S.$13.1 billion in 2022. This increase was mainly driven by an U.S.$8.7 billion increase in direct investments by non-residents.

Portfolio Investment

Portfolio investments, consisting of the purchase of stocks, bonds or other securities, tend to be highly liquid and short-term, making them particularly responsive to fluctuations in the market.

In 2019, net outflows from portfolio investment totaled U.S.$7.1 billion compared to net inflows of U.S.$6.9 billion in 2018, mainly due to a decrease in the issuance of debt by the Government and the cancellation of outstanding Lebacs. Net inflows from derivative financial instruments totaled U.S.$24 million in 2019, compared to U.S.$32 million net inflows in 2018.

In 2020, net outflows from portfolio investment totaled U.S.$1.6 billion compared to net outflows of U.S.$7.1 billion in 2019, mainly due to a decrease in the purchase of net financial assets. Net outflows from derivative financial instruments totaled U.S.$10 million in 2020, compared to U.S.$24 million net inflows in 2019.

In 2021, net outflows from portfolio investment totaled U.S.$4.9 billion compared to net outflows of U.S.$1.6 billion in 2020, mainly due to an increase in the purchase of net financial assets. Net inflows from derivative financial instruments totaled U.S.$16 million in 2021, compared to U.S.$10 million net outflows in 2020.

In 2022, net outflows from portfolio investment totaled U.S.$6.9 billion compared to net outflows of U.S.$4.9 billion in 2021, mainly due to an increase in the payment of net debts. Net outflows from derivative financial instruments totaled U.S.$4.0 million in 2022, compared to U.S.$16 million net inflows in 2021.

In 2023, net outflows from portfolio investment totaled U.S.$5.4 billion compared to net outflows of U.S.$6.9 billion in 2022, mainly due to an increase in the payment of net debts. Net outflows from derivative financial instruments totaled U.S.$1.2 million in 2023, compared to U.S.$1.8 million net outflows in 2022.

Other Investment

Other investment includes information regarding other assets and liabilities of the non-financial public sector (Government), the non-financial private sector and other financial entities (Other Sectors), the financial sector (Deposit-Collecting Entities) and the Central Bank, and are classified under:

 

   

other equity investments;

 

   

coins and deposits;

 

   

loans;

 

   

insurance, pensions and standardized mechanisms for guarantees;

 

   

commercial credits and advances; and

 

   

other accounts payable/receivable.

In 2019, other investments recorded net outflows of U.S.$14.3 billion. During this period, offshore investments by Argentine residents increased to U.S.$31.2 billion from U.S.$25.2 billion in 2018 and investments by non-residents in Argentina decreased to U.S.$17.0 billion in 2019 compared to U.S.$48.0 billion in 2018.

In 2020, other investments recorded net outflows of U.S.$11.2 billion. During this period, offshore investments by Argentine residents decreased to U.S.$7.5 billion from U.S.$31.2 billion in 2019 and investments by non-residents in Argentina totaled U.S.$3.7 billion outflows in 2020 compared to U.S.$17.0 billion inflows in 2019.

 

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In 2021, other investments recorded net outflows of U.S.$4.8 billion. During this period, offshore investments by Argentine residents decreased to U.S.$6.0 billion from U.S.$7.5 billion in 2020 and investments by non-residents in Argentina totaled U.S.$1.2 billion inflows in 2021 compared to U.S.$3.7 billion outflows in 2020.

In 2022, other investments recorded net inflows of U.S.$8.2 billion. During this period, offshore investments by Argentine residents increased to U.S.$7.5 billion from U.S.$6.0 billion in 2021 and investments by non-residents in Argentina totaled U.S.$15.7 billion inflows in 2022 compared to U.S.$1.2 billion inflows in 2021.

In 2023, other investments recorded net outflows of U.S.$10.4 billion. During this period, offshore investments by Argentine residents increased to U.S.$15.4 billion from U.S.$7.5 billion in 2022 and investments by non-residents in Argentina totaled U.S.$5.0 billion inflows in 2023 compared to U.S.$15.6 billion inflows in 2022.

International Reserves

As of December 31, 2023, the Central Bank’s international reserves totaled U.S.$23.1 billion, 48.0% lower than as of December 31, 2022, of which U.S.$14.3 billion were foreign currency, U.S.$4.6 billion were placements in foreign currency and U.S.$4.1 billion were gold.

 

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MONETARY SYSTEM

The Central Bank

Founded in 1935, the Central Bank is the principal monetary and financial authority in Argentina. The Central Bank operates pursuant to its charter and the Ley de Entidades Financieras (“Financial Institutions Law”).

The Central Bank is governed by a ten-member board of directors, which is headed by the Governor of the Central Bank. The Governor of the Central Bank and the members of the board of directors are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. They serve for fixed terms of six years, may be reappointed and may be removed by the president only for cause. Under the terms of its charter, the Central Bank must operate independently from the Government.

Under the Central Bank’s charter, as most recently amended in 2012, the Central Bank, among other things:

 

   

must promote monetary and financial stability, employment and economic growth with social equality;

 

   

is empowered to regulate interest rates and regulate and steer lending activities;

 

   

must hold and manage the international reserves, including gold and foreign currency;

 

   

must implement the exchange rate policy in accordance with applicable legislation;

 

   

must act as financial agent of the Government and contribute to the proper functioning of capital markets, regulate any activity connected with the financial system and foreign exchange transactions and protect the rights of consumers of financial services; and

 

   

may grant the Government exceptional advances in an amount up to the equivalent of 10% of the revenues collected by the Government in the preceding 12-month period.

Monetary Policy

Background

From 1991 through 2001, Argentina’s monetary policy was governed by the Convertibility Law of 1991, which pegged the peso to the U.S. dollar at a one-to-one exchange rate and required the Central Bank to maintain international monetary reserves at least equal to the monetary base (consisting of domestic currency in circulation and financial institutions’ peso-denominated deposits with the Central Bank). During the Convertibility Regime, the peso appreciated in real terms and the Central Bank did not have the necessary tools to react to the external shocks that affected the Argentine economy, such as the Mexico Crisis in 1995 and the Asian Crisis in 1997. In addition, commencing in 1995 the Government increased its reliance on the international capital markets to finance its operations, creating additional demand for foreign exchange reserves at the pegged rate. By December 2001, continued capital flight from the Argentine economy had made the Convertibility Regime unsustainable. On January 6, 2002, Congress enacted the Public Emergency Law, effectively bringing an end to the Convertibility Regime by eliminating the requirement that the Central Bank’s gross international reserves be at all times equal to at least 100% of the monetary base. The Public Emergency Law abolished the peg between the peso and the U.S. dollar and granted the executive branch the power to regulate the foreign exchange market and to establish exchange rates.

In 2003, the Central Bank implemented a series of measures designed to restore monetary stability and bolster the international reserves of the Central Bank. These measures included the elimination of the quasi-currencies issued by several provinces during the 2001-2002 crisis, the recapitalization of several financial institutions that were affected by the decree mandating asymmetric pesification of their balance sheets in 2002, the adoption of inflation targets intended to limit the impact of an acceleration of economic growth, the expansion of the financial system’s lending activities and the encouragement of capital market transactions as a source of financing economic growth. During the last quarter of 2004, the Central Bank began accumulating international monetary reserves and implemented various measures to manage the increasing monetary base.

Starting in the second half of 2007, in response to tightening credit markets and the global financial crisis, the Central Bank intervened in the foreign exchange market to manage increasing volatility in the exchange rate, provided liquidity to local banks and expanded the monetary base. The Central Bank’s actions included, among other measures, managing the yields on repo loans, auctioning put options on Lebacs and Nobacs and reducing the minimum reserve requirements in foreign currency for financial institutions. These measures allowed banks to keep their liquidity ratios within appropriate levels and sought to stimulate lending by banks. In late 2009, the Government issued a Decreto de Necesidad y Urgencia (emergency decree) making foreign reserves held by the Central Bank available for external debt payments.

 

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In 2012, the Central Bank’s Charter was amended to expand the Central Bank’s mandate, including objectives linked to the real economy, increasing its powers and tools. As a result, the Central Bank began to actively promote credit, particularly credit to productive activities. In addition, the exercise of an active monetary policy and the policy measures aimed at reducing the volatility of the nominal exchange rate required the implementation of capital controls, which were in force since the end of 2011.

In December 2015, the Central Bank allowed the peso to float, eliminated restrictions on foreign exchange and capital flows, and streamlined foreign exchange regulations. In addition, the Central Bank announced its decision to implement a long term monetary policy based on inflation targeting, and to rely on short term interest notes as its primary monetary policy tool. Beginning in January 2017, the Central Bank implemented a formal scheme of inflation targeting, using the 7- day repo reference rate as the anchor of its inflation targeting regime.

Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2019

During the first quarter of 2019, an increase in public services and other regulated prices and the depreciation of the peso vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar contributed to a new acceleration in the pace of inflation. Against this backdrop, the Central Bank adopted a series of additional measures during March and April 2019 intended to calm inflationary pressures. In particular, it reduced the monetary base target, eliminated the seasonal adjustment of the target scheduled for June 2019 and extended its commitment not to increase the monetary base from June 2019 to December 2019.

In response to the strong increase in the demand for U.S. dollars, the Central Bank sought to strengthen the transmission mechanism from the monetary policy rate to the fixed-term interest rate. Beginning in August 2019, strong pressures on the exchange rate led the Central Bank to successively increase the policy interest rate and to participate actively in the foreign exchange market. Notwithstanding the foregoing, withdrawals of deposits in foreign currency continued, which the financial system managed to attend. In order to deal with the decrease in international reserves, the Central Bank established limits on the purchase of dollars for individuals and adapted its monetary base goal to the new market conditions.

The strategy of reducing inflation by means of high real interest rates and restrictive monetary policies proved to be inefficient and counterproductive by exacerbating the economic contraction that the Argentine economy had been experiencing over the last two years.

Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2020

Beginning in December 2019, in a context of economic and social emergency, the Central Bank adjusted various of its policy guidelines, particularly those referring to interest rates and exchange rate management. The Central Bank announced that the level of real interest rate levels must preserve financial and exchange rate stability, and must be compatible with the financing of production and the construction of a longer-term yield curve, favoring savings in domestic currency. A policy of managed floating of the exchange rate was also announced, seeking to prevent sharp fluctuations in the exchange rate from generating negative effects on inflation and growth.

On January 27, 2020, the Central Bank announced the adoption of updated monetary policy guidelines aimed at addressing Argentina’s distressed social and economic context and pursuing, in line with the Government’s fiscal efforts, the achievement of monetary and financial stability and the promotion of economic development.

The updated monetary policy guidelines allowed the Central Bank to provide Argentina’s Ministry of Economy financing to permit the payment of certain external debt obligations and, under exceptional circumstances and within limits that intend to ensure the preservation of a balanced money market, financing to address peso-denominated financial obligations and expenses.

The Central Bank’s monetary policy guidelines were based on the following key principles:

 

   

Interest Rate: interest rates will be set at a level that preserve financial and economic stability, promote a longer term yield curve and encourage savings in local currency by avoiding negative interest rates in real terms;

 

   

Prices: inducing a gradual but sustainable inflation reduction path based on a prudent monetary policy approach, consistent and coordinated with the Government’s economic and income policy initiatives;

 

   

Monetary Aggregates: maintain monetization levels compatible with long-term growth, avoiding liquidity imbalances that may have a direct or indirect impact on inflation;

 

   

Exchange Rate: adopt a managed floating exchange rate regime to contain large exchange rate variations, to prioritize the accumulation of foreign exchange reserves;

 

   

Credit: promote the development of the domestic credit market in the short, medium and long term with real interest rates compatible with productive development; and

 

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Activity and employment levels: design the monetary policy to support the recovery of the internal market, increase export and foster investment and productivity on a sustainable basis.

Exchange regulations and price moderation related to the limited volatility of the exchange rate allowed for a reduction in the Leliq rate from 55% as of December 31, 2019 to 38% as of December 31, 2020. Further, the swap rate was reduced from 48.13% as of December 31, 2019 to 19% as of March 1, 2020 and to 32% as of December 31, 2020. These reductions in rates allowed the Central Bank to promote productive credit initiatives at negative real interest rates. In addition, the Central Bank made progress in improving yields that, when compared to expected inflation, are expected to provide a positive real return on savings in domestic currency.

The creation of credit lines at subsidized interest rates allowed credit to reach unprecedented growth at constant prices (53% from July 2019 to July 2020), reversing a strong cycle of credit contraction that had begun in mid-2018. In May 2020, to encourage savings in pesos, the Central Bank set annual nominal rates applicable to fixed term deposits at 33.06% for 30-days placements of up to Ps.1 million by individuals, and at 30.02% for all other placements.

In October 2020, in response to increased pressure on the exchange rate, the Central Bank:

 

   

(i) increased the overnight reverse swaps rates from 19% to 30% to increase the return in real rates of short-term local currency financial instruments, (ii) began offering 7-day swaps with an annual rate of 33%, (iii) set the Leliqs rate at 36% in order to gradually align the Treasury’s rates with the Central Bank’s sterilization instrument rates, and (iv) set annual nominal rates applicable to fixed term deposits at 34% for 30-days placements of up to Ps.1 million by individuals, and at 32% for all other placements;

 

   

abandoned the mechanism of preset devaluation, providing greater flexibility and maintaining the competitive level of the multilateral real exchange rate;

 

   

opened a roundtable at the MAE and permitted authorizations to be processed at the Rosario Futures Exchange (ROFEX) to allow purchases of Renminbi for foreign trade operations. The Central Bank intends to use its reserves in Renminbi to respond to these operations and does not intend to make use of the currency swap with the People’s Bank of China; and

 

   

allowed investors to access the official market by repatriating investments within the first year of their realization in order to promote capital inflow through new foreign direct investment.

In mid-November 2020, the Leliq interest rate rose to 38% nominal annually (45.44% effective annually), while the rates at which the Central Bank remunerates 1-day and 7-day term deposits increased to 32% nominal annually (37.7% effective annually) and 36.5% nominal annually (43.9% effective annually), respectively. In the same sense, the minimum guaranteed interest rate for fixed-term deposits was adjusted to 37% nominal annually (44% effective annually) for fixed-term deposits of individuals for up to Ps.1.0 million and 34.0% nominal annually (39.8% effective annually) for all other deposits.

Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2021

In 2021, the Central Bank maintained its monetary policy based on the guidelines defined in October 2020.

The measures taken by the Government to strengthen the peso debt market allowed channeling a significant proportion of financing needs through such market, reducing the Central Bank’s monetary financial assistance to the Treasury.

At the same time, the Central Bank sought to promote the development of the domestic capital market by allowing financial entities to integrate a percentage of their reserve requirements in Leliqs as well as in peso-denominated securities acquired in primary issuances by the Government (excluding those linked to the U.S. dollar) and with a minimum duration of 180 days. In order to guarantee liquidity at all times, banks have been allowed to sell to the Central Bank securities acquired to meet reserve requirements.

The Central Bank maintained the minimum fixed-term and monetary policy interest rates unchanged during the period. The Central Bank and the Government maintained measures to ensure access to credit by MSMEs under favorable conditions. Credit support initiatives were also extended to investment projects designed to increase poultry and pork production capacity, and more recently to support restaurants, hotels, cultural and the leisure services sectors. In September 2021, financing granted to small companies engaged in agricultural activities was added to the eligible financing, provided that the funds are applied to increase the productive capacity of beef and/or bovine milk.

In addition, in April 2021, the Central Bank (in coordination with other government agencies) implemented a system for electronic credit invoicing promoting access to financing by MSMEs, which allows MSMEs to endorse, assign and discount electronic credit invoices from a bank account, granting MSME suppliers of large companies access to a greater number of sources of advance financing, as well as to improve collection certainty, since non-payment at maturity of invoices will be reflected in the debtor’s registry of the Central Bank.

 

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Also, with the aim of increasing the private sector’s capacity to obtain financing from the banking sector, the Central Bank announced that financial entities must defer the payment of any unpaid installments (except installments of credit card financing) to the maturity of the credit, in the case of the clients that are beneficiaries of the Programa de Recuperación Productiva II (Productive Reactivation Program II or “REPRO II”).

In addition, measures were taken to increase bank financing to the private sector. See “The Argentine Economy—Measures Designed to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

With regards to foreign exchange policy, the Central Bank has complemented its structural objective of accumulating international reserves with a short-term strategy consisting of managing the volatility of the nominal exchange rate to further the anti-inflationary strategy and promote a more efficient allocation of foreign currency through foreign exchange regulation. Regarding the nominal exchange rate, the Central Bank maintained a relatively limited depreciation rate, in order to contribute to the disinflationary process. The lower dynamism of the exchange rate led to an appreciation of the Índice Tipo de Cambio Real Multilateral (Multilateral Real Exchange Rate Index, or ITCRM), despite which this indicator remains at competitive levels consistent with the average of the last 24 years.

Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2022

In 2022, the Central Bank resumed the policy guidelines set forth in 2020 aimed at consolidating the growth of the domestic market and exports through monetary and financial stability. The measures adopted by the Central Bank to comply with these guidelines included:

 

   

Monetary Policy. The Central Bank redesigned its monetary policy instruments, with the objective of (i) improving liquidity management at the financial institution level, (ii) increasing the average maturity of sterilization instruments, by issuing instruments such as the Notaliqs, and (iii) focusing the monetary policy rate on Leliqs’ interest rates. In addition, the Central Bank ceased the use of seven-day swaps among interest-bearing liabilities. Pursuant to the revised monetary policy, overnight reverse repos sterilized financial institutions’ short-term liquidity, while long-term Leliqs addressed structural liquidity. Further, the Central Bank amended regulations so that private sector financial institutions may purchase these instruments up to the amount of their stock of time deposits.

 

   

Benchmark Rates. The Central Bank increased benchmark rates on saving instruments with the objective of ensuring that depositors obtained positive returns for savings in pesos. Further, the Central Bank raised the monetary policy interest rates as well as the minimum guaranteed interest rates on fixed-term deposits with the objective of supporting the demand for saving instruments in domestic currency. As of December 31, 2022, the monetary policy rate (28-days Leliq) stood at 75%.

 

   

Credit Policy. In 2022, the Central Bank’s credit policy followed the guidelines established in 2021, focusing on sustaining credit assistance to MSMEs. The Central Bank maintained a gradual adjustment of the nominal annual rate for investment projects, which stood at 64.5% as of December 31, 2022, and the nominal annual rate for working capital, which stood at 74.5% as of the same date, mainly to ensure access to credit under favorable conditions by MSMEs. In December 2022, the Government announced the eligibility of small, medium and large-sized companies to participate in the CreAr program, a credit program for a total amount of Ps.5 billion aimed at funding projects that change the productive matrix and that contribute to replacing imports in strategic industries. In addition, in June 2022, the Central Bank began a simplification process of the Régimen de Efectivo Mínimo en Pesos (Minimum Cash in Pesos Regime) to strengthen the monetary policy transmission channels. The simplification reduced reserve requirements for certain deposits and was aimed at promoting productive credit to MSMEs and household consumption financing. The first stage of this simplification regime was implemented gradually between October 2022 and March 2023.

 

   

Mutual Funds. The Central Bank authorized mutual funds to engage in repo operations as of August 2022, with the objective of optimizing the transmission of the monetary policy rate to the different segments of the financial system and capital markets.

 

   

Treasury Instruments. The Central Bank sought to reduce the volatility in the prices of treasury instruments. To that effect, the Central Bank announced its participation in the secondary market of securities issued by the Government with a residual term greater than 15 days since July 2022, buying at rates similar to those of prior auctions (plus a maximum spread of 2%) so that yields in the secondary market remained consistent with those determined in the primary market. In addition, the Central Bank announced that, as of July 2022, it would carry out bids for put options on securities issued by the Government with a maturity prior to December 31, 2023.

 

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  Further, the Central Bank decided to incorporate the interest rate of short-term Treasury bills (currently discount bills with maturities between 60 and 90 days) as a reference for monetary policy decisions. This decision was part of the Central Bank’s strategy to (i) move towards a structure of positive interest rates in real terms, taking the main financial assets of the economy as a reference, (ii) strengthen the public debt market in pesos, increasing depth and liquidity, and (iii) gradually advance in the use of Treasury instruments as monetary policy instruments.

 

   

Transfers to the Treasury: In 2022, the Government moved towards a gradual reduction of transfers from the Central Bank to the Treasury, establishing a limit equivalent to 1% of GDP for 2022. In addition, the Central Bank established a positive real interest rate structure to strengthen the demand for local currency assets and contribute to the exchange and financial stability.

 

   

Exchange rate policy: The Central Bank (i) gradually accelerated the crawling peg to bring the rate to levels in line with the domestic inflation rate, and (ii) promoted a more efficient allocation of foreign currency through foreign exchange regulation. Further, the Government introduced a special foreign exchange rate to liquidate soybean exports to increase export sales and facilitate access to the foreign exchange market. See “—Role of the State in the Economy—Energy Sector Reforms”

For a description of the monetary policy measures taken by Banco Central since January 1, 2024, see “The Economy—Measures Designed to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2023 by the Fernández Administration

In 2023, the Central Bank adopted measures aimed at consolidating the growth of the domestic market and exports through monetary and financial stability. The measures adopted by the Central Bank included:

 

   

Monetary Policy: The Central Bank’s monetary policy guidelines included (i) the management of liquidity ratios with the aim of reducing inflation (using Leliqs and Notaliqs, with a 28-day Leliq’s rate to monitor monetary policy), (ii) setting interest rates to maintain positive real returns on investments in pesos and (iii) promotion of the stability and development of the capital market, monitoring the financial balance.

 

   

Foreign Exchange Policy: The Central Bank sought to (i) preserve external competitiveness, (ii) strengthen the position of international reserves and (iii) manage and adjust foreign exchange regulations to ensure monetary and foreign exchange stability.

 

   

Credit Policy: The Central Bank stimulated financial intermediation to boost consumption, productive investment and technological development. Further, the Central Bank adopted measures aimed at promoting the development of credit in pesos for the private sector.

 

   

Financial policy: The Central Bank sought to increase the number of participants in the credit market and took measures to guarantee the financial stability and solvency of the banking system, while implementing technological improvements aimed at increasing transparency and security. In addition, the Central Bank promoted new agreements with the provinces, other state agencies and organizations aimed at promoting integration across all sectors of society and to improve financial education. Further, the Central Bank monitored crypto assets and virtual wallets and their impact on financial institutions. Additionally, the Central Bank promoted measures in connection with sustainable finance within the framework of international and local commitments, including the generation and release of relevant information to assess potential risks to the stability of the financial system.

In January 2023, the Central Bank increased the return on financial institutions’ reverse repos by 2 basis points and the overnight reverse repo interest rate paid to mutual funds to reach 85% of the interest rate on overnight reverse repos paid to financial institutions.

In March 2023, the Central Bank increased the rate for term deposits of up to Ps.10 million to 78% nominal annual for deposits by individuals, and to 69.5% nominal annual for all other deposits. Rates for credits to SMEs and credit cards remained unchanged.

In April 2023, the Government announced a currency swap with China for U.S.$1.0 billion aimed at facilitating payments of imports from China. In June 2023, the Central Bank entered into an early renewal of the swap agreement for up to U.S.$19.0 billion for a three-year term. The Central Bank also authorized the opening of renminbi (“RMB”) savings and checking accounts, complementing the measure adopted by the National Securities Commission (“CNV”) to enable negotiation of securities in RMB.

Additionally, the Central Bank increased the monetary policy rate by 1,000 basis points to reach 91%. Further, the Central Bank increased the minimum interest rate on time deposits for individuals, increasing the minimum rate for 30-day time deposits to 91% and the rest of the private sector time deposits to 85.5%.

 

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In May 2023, the Central Bank increased the monetary policy rate by 600 basis points to reach 97%. Further, the Central Bank increased the minimum interest rate on time deposits for individuals, increasing the minimum rate on 30-day time deposits of up to Ps.30 million to 97% and the rest of the private sector time deposits to 90%. In addition, the rate for the financing of unpaid credit card balances was reduced from 88% to 86%. Additionally, the Central Bank authorized the application of the pre-financing system of exports to imports’ payments, which enabled importers to finance approximately U.S.$3 billion.

On June 1, 2023, the Central Bank announced a set of rules applicable to provincial governments with the objective of reducing foreign currency-denominated debt. According to such rules, provincial authorities must present a payment plan including up to 40% of outstanding foreign currency-denominated debt, together with new financial agreements for the remaining 60% up to a period of not less than two years.

In August 2023, the Board increased the minimum rate on 30-day time deposits from 97% to 118%, and it increased it again to 133% in October 2023, while maintaining the rate for other private sector time deposits at 126%.

Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2023 by the Milei Administration

One of the first measures implemented by Milei’s administration on December 11, 2023 was to apply the rule of prior conformity to all demand transactions carried out through the foreign exchange market, aimed at analyzing which transactions required priority to access the foreign exchange market during a transition period and facilitating the adoption of new measures. On December 12, 2023, the Central Bank introduced a new monetary policy framework, focusing on eliminating the fiscal deficit financed by monetary issuance to achieve fiscal equilibrium. This framework also sought to address regulatory issues, correct relative prices, and clean up the Central Bank’s balance sheet by recovering international reserves and managing remunerated liabilities.

On December 13, 2024, the Central Bank depreciated the nominal currency exchange rate to stabilize the MULC and set the exchange rate at Ps.799.75 per U.S. dollar, from Ps.366.5 per U.S. dollar on December 12, 2024. This rate was intended as a temporary anchor for inflation expectations, with a planned monthly adjustment of 2%. Payment systems for goods and services were simplified by removing the need for SIRA (as defined below) authorizations and the Certificado de Cuenta Única de Comercio Exterior en la AFIP. Additionally, new payment periods based on import tariff positions were established to manage foreign currency demand, particularly during low-season agricultural exports months. To address the commercial debts of importers accumulated through December 12, 2023, the Central Bank issued three series of Bopreal bonds. See “Recent Developments—Monetary System—Monetary Policy.”

In terms of monetary market normalization, the Central Bank ceased new Leliq auctions and adopted overnight repos as the primary tool for managing excess liquidity. The overnight repo rate was reduced to 100%, down from the previous Leliq rate of 133%. The minimum term deposit rate was set at 110%. The discontinuation of future Leliq auctions shifted focus to repo operations for managing monetary excesses. The Central Bank centralized its operations around a single monetary instrument to clarify policy signals and influence other interest rates.

 

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Central Bank Balance Sheet

The following table sets forth information on the Central Bank’s balance sheet as of the dates specified.

Central Bank Balance Sheet

(in millions of pesos, unless otherwise specified)(1)

 

    As of December 31,  
    2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Assets

         

International reserves:

         

Gold

  Ps. 160,786     Ps. 316,238     Ps. 330,214     Ps. 640,845     Ps. 3,311,445  

Foreign currency

    1,740,554       2,303,362       2,921,510       4,513,989       11,601,051  

Placements of foreign currency

    786,790       696,428       823,583       2,785,786       3,749,438  

Other(2)

    (1,939     (1,803     9       (40,976     (7,665
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total international reserves(3)

    2,686,192       3,314,225       4,075,316       7,899,645       18,654,268  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Public bonds(4)

    3,372,924       5,159,609       6,729,005       14,155,074       87,393,787  

Credits to:

         

Government (temporary advances)

    852,730       1,260,450       2,173,049       2,793,100       4,091,100  

Financial system

    736       573       126       218       754  

International organizations(6)

    273,446       397,546       526,442       924,626       4,364,621  

Other assets(7)

    1,691,043       3,257,275       5,604,366       5,966,331       28,648,598  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    8,877,071       13,389,679       19,108,305       31,738,994       143,153,129  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

         

Monetary Base:

         

Currency in circulation(8)

    1,153,405       1,897,825       2,691,400       4,094,595       7,435,216  

Current accounts in pesos(9)

    741,976       572,343       962,636       1,109,156       2,172,776  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total monetary base

    1,895,381       2,470,260       3,654,036       5,203,751       9,607,992  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deposits:

         

Government deposits

    50,258       68,849       119,383       1,212,511       1,002,754  

Other deposits

    534,549       916,491       1,242,412       2,139,357       14,483,063  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

    584,807       985,340       1,361,796       3,351,868       15,485,817  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Obligation to international organizations

    220,491       265,749       324,131       554,691       1,856,378  

Central Bank notes:

         

Notes issued in foreign currency

    —        —        —        —        2,474,069  

Notes issued in pesos

    1,065,094       2,941,905       5,044,615       10,522,286       28,584,250  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Central Bank notes(11)

    1,065,094       2,941,905       5,044,615       10,522,286       31,058,319  

Other liabilities

    3,126,070       5,348,532       8,075,736       10,150,172       39,517,598  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    6,891,843       12,011,786       18,460,314       29,782,768       97,526,105  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets

  Ps. 1,985,228     Ps. 1,377,893     Ps. 647,991     Ps. 1,956,225     Ps. 45,627,024  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Memorandum items:

         

International reserves (in millions of U.S. dollars)

  U.S.$ 39,387     U.S.$ 39,662     U.S.$ 44,598     U.S.$ 44,598     U.S.$ 23,073  

International reserves of the central bank (in months of total imports)

    9.1       6.6       7.0       7.0       3.8  

Exchange rate Ps./U.S.$(12)

    59.9       84.15       102.75       177,13       808,48  

 

(1) The information included for each year on this table is based on the balance sheet presented by the Central Bank for the last week of each year.

(2) Includes net results of transactions under a Reciprocal Credit Agreement with ALADI.

(3) Includes short-term foreign-currency denominated bonds and foreign currency-denominated deposits.

(4) Includes a 1990 consolidated Treasury note, IMF obligations and others.

(5) Includes refinanced lines of credit.

(6) Includes transfers to international organizations from Government accounts and transfers to the Government from the IMF.

(7) Includes transition accounts and others.

(8) Includes cash in vaults at banks.

(9) Includes bank reserves in pesos at Central Bank.

(10) Includes a U.S.$2 billion credit agreement entered into with Bank for International Settlements.

(11) Includes Lebacs, Nobacs and Leliqs.

(12) Exchange rate used by the Central Bank to publish its balance sheet.

Source: Central Bank.

 

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In 2019, Government deposits with the Central Bank decreased to Ps.50.3 billion from Ps.527.2 billion in 2018, mainly due to lower disbursements under the SBA in 2019 compared to 2018 and the withdrawal of certain deposits by the Government to use for various purposes.

In 2020, Government deposits with the Central Bank increased to Ps.68.8 billion from Ps.50.3 billion in 2019.

In 2021, Government deposits with the Central Bank increased to Ps.119.4 billion from Ps.68.8 billion in 2020.

In 2022, Government deposits with the Central Bank increased to Ps.1,212.5 billion from Ps.119.4 billion in 2021, mainly due to disbursements made by the IMF under the EFF.

In 2023, Government deposits with the Central Bank decreased to Ps.1,002.8 billion from Ps.1,212.5 billion in 2022, mainly due to a decrease in the economic activity index, high inflation levels and a loss in the purchasing power of income.

Liquidity Aggregates

The monetary base consists of domestic currency in circulation (including cash held in vaults by banks) and peso-denominated deposits of financial entities with the Central Bank.

Additionally, the Central Bank employs the following aggregates to measure the level of liquidity in the economy:

 

   

M1 measures domestic currency in circulation plus peso-denominated demand deposits and foreign currency-denominated demand deposits;

 

   

M2 measures M1 plus peso-denominated savings deposits and foreign currency-denominated savings deposits; and

 

   

M3 measures M2 plus all other peso-denominated deposits and foreign currency-denominated deposits.

 

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The following tables set forth information on Argentina’s liquidity aggregates as of the dates specified:

Liquidity Aggregates

(in millions of Pesos)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Currency in circulation(1)

   Ps. 1,153,405      Ps. 1,897,825      Ps. 2,691,400      Ps. 4,094,595      Ps. 7,435,216  

M1

     1,952,282        3,396,052        5,393,072        8,539,263        19,111,796  

M2

     3,684,447        6,037,543        9,258,007        15,737,735        42,214,629  

M3

     5,700,972        9,524,645        14,506,267        26,332,795        67,350,834  

Monetary base

   Ps. 1,895,381      Ps. 2,470,260      Ps. 3,654,036      Ps. 5,203,751      Ps. 9,607,992  

 

(1)

Does not include cash in vaults at banks.

Source: Central Bank.

Liquidity Aggregates

(% change from previous period)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Currency in circulation(1)

     34.2     64.5     41.8     52.1     81,6

M1

     28.9       74.0       58.8       58.3       123.8  

M2

     21.9       63.9       53.3       70.0       200.0  

M3

     20.4       67.1       52.3       81.5       155.8  

Monetary base

     34.5     30.3     47.9     42.4     84.6

 

(1)

Does not include cash in vaults at banks.

Source: Central Bank.

In 2019, the monetary base increased by 34.5% (compared to an inflation of 53.8% in the same year), mainly as a result of net transfers from the Central Bank to the Treasury (in the form of temporary advances and utilities) and interest payments accrued on securities issued by the Central Bank, which were partially offset by purchases of foreign currency, and net issuances of Leliqs and repurchase transactions with sterilization purposes.

In 2020, the monetary base increased by 30.3% (compared to an inflation of 36.1% in the same year), mainly as a result of net transfers from the Central Bank to the Treasury (in the form of temporary advances and utilities) and interest payments accrued on securities issued by the Central Bank, which were partially offset by purchases of foreign currency, and net issuances of Leliqs and repurchase transactions with sterilization purposes.

In 2021, the monetary base increased by 47.9% (compared to an inflation of 50.9% in the same year), mainly as a result of a 72.4% increase in net transfers from the Central Bank to the Treasury (in the form of temporary advances and utilities) and the purchase of foreign currency by the Central Bank.

The expansion of the monetary base was partially sterilized through regulatory monetary instruments (passive passes and Leliqs). In particular, the issuance of Leliqs increased by 71% during 2021.

In 2022, the monetary base increased by 42.4% (compared to an inflation of 94.8% in the same year), mainly as a result of a 28.5% increase in net transfers from the Central Bank to the Treasury (in the form of temporary advances and utilities) and repurchase transactions with sterilization purposes.

In 2023, the monetary base increased by 84.6% (compared to an inflation of 211.4% in the same year), as a result of a 81.6% increase in currency in circulation.

 

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Foreign Exchange and International Reserves

Foreign Exchange

Beginning in February 2002, the peso was allowed to float against other currencies. After several years of fluctuations in the nominal exchange rate, the peso lost approximately 12.5% of its value against the U.S. dollar in 2012. Despite increased Central Bank intervention and measures to limit Argentine residents’ access to foreign currency, the peso lost 23.8% of its value compared to the U.S. dollar in 2014.

In December 2015, the Central Bank eliminated a significant portion of the foreign exchange restrictions and the Central Bank returned to a free-float policy with interventions designed to enhance the operation of the foreign exchange market. Immediately after a significant portion of the foreign exchange controls were lifted on December 16, 2015, the peso lost 28.6% of its value compared to the U.S. dollar, as the peso-U.S. dollar exchange rate reached Ps.13.76 to U.S.$1.00 on December 17, 2015.

In 2016 and 2017, the Central Bank allowed the peso to freely float against other currencies with Central Bank intervention limited to measures designed to ensure the orderly operation of the foreign exchange market.

In 2018, the ability of the Central Bank to maintain its monetary and foreign exchange policies were severely challenged. The peso lost 25.6% of its value vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar between January 2 and May 31, 2018, while the international reserves of the Central Bank decreased by approximately U.S.$15.4 billion. In spite of the support provided by the IMF through the SBA, in 2018, the peso lost 50.3% of its value compared to the U.S. dollar.

In 2019, the Central Bank established new restrictions on access to the foreign exchange market for hoarding. On July 18, 2019, the Central Bank renewed its Chinese Yen (“CNY”) 70 million swap with China and, on December 17, 2019, it renewed the CNY60,000,000 complement to such agreement, bringing the total amount under the swap to CNY130,000,000. In 2019, the peso lost 36.9% of its value versus the U.S. dollar. See “—Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2019.”

In 2020, the main exchange market regulation measures were maintained, as part of the measures implemented by the Central Bank to maintain exchange rate stability and protect savings. See “—Restrictions to the Foreign Exchange Market and other related measures.”

In 2020 and 2021, the peso lost 28.8% and 18.1% of its value versus the U.S. dollar, respectively (on the basis of the exchange rates published pursuant to Communication A3500 of the Central Bank).

In 2022, the peso lost 42.0% of its value versus the U.S. dollar (on the basis of the exchange rates published pursuant to Communication A3500 of the Central Bank). See “—Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2020” and “—Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2022.”

In 2023, the Central Bank adopted measures for the preservation of international competitiveness by gradually readjusting the U.S. dollar crawl under the floating exchange rate to keep up with inflation rates, and reinforcing international reserves by accumulating external surplus.

In 2023, the Government adopted the Programa de Incremento Exportador (Export Increase Program), which includes measures aimed at mitigating the consequences of the damage caused by a severe drought that affected various provinces, as described above, and promotes the sale of accumulated harvest. Further, a special exchange rate of Ps.300 per U.S. dollar was granted to exporters of soybean products until May 31, 2023, and for exporters of regional economy products until August 30, 2023.

In 2023, the peso lost 72.4% of its value versus the U.S. dollar (on the basis of the exchange rates published pursuant to Communication A3500 of the Central Bank). See “—Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2020” and “—Monetary Policy measures implemented in 2023.”

The following table sets forth the peso U.S. dollar nominal exchange rate for the periods indicated.

 

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Nominal Exchange Rate (1)

(pesos per U.S. dollar)

 

     Average      At end of period  
2019      48.24        59.90  
2020      70.59        84.15  
2021      95.16        102.75  
2022      130.81        177.13  
2023      295.21        808.48  

 

(1)

Central Bank reference exchange rates (Communication A 3500 of Central Bank).

Source: Central Bank.

As of October 16, 2024, the exchange rate stood at Ps.981.58 per U.S.$1.00 compared to Ps.808.48 as of December 29, 2023.

International Reserves

The Central Bank’s international reserves are composed of foreign currency deposits, foreign currency and gold. The following table sets forth the composition of the international reserves of the Central Bank as of December 31 of each of the years indicated.

International Reserves of the Central Bank (in billions of U.S. dollars)

 

     Total      Deposits      Currency      Gold  

2019

     44.8        13.1        29.1        2.7  

2020

     39.4        8.3        27.4        3.8  

2021

     39.7        8.0        28.4        3.2  

2022

     44.6        15.7        25.5        3.6  

2023

   U.S.$ 23.1      U.S.$ 4.6      U.S.$ 14.3      U.S.$ 4.1  

 

Source: Central Bank.

As of December 31, 2019, the Central Bank’s international reserves totaled U.S.$44.8 billion, 31.8% lower than the previous year, of which U.S.$13.1 billion were foreign currency deposits, U.S.$29.1 billion were foreign currency and U.S.$2.7 billion were gold.

As of December 31, 2020, the Central Bank’s international reserves totaled U.S.$39.4 billion, 12.2% lower than the previous year, of which U.S.$8.3 billion were foreign currency deposits, U.S.$27.4 billion were foreign currency and U.S.$3.8 billion were gold.

As of December 31, 2021, the Central Bank’s international reserves totaled U.S.$39.7 billion, 0.7% higher than the previous year, of which U.S.$8.0 billion were foreign currency deposits, U.S.$28.4 billion were foreign currency and U.S.$3.2 billion were gold.

As of December 31, 2022, the Central Bank’s international reserves totaled U.S.$44.6 billion, 12.4% higher than the previous year, of which U.S.$15.7 billion were foreign currency deposits, U.S.$25.5 billion were foreign currency and U.S.$3.6 billion were gold.

As of December 31, 2023, the Central Bank’s international reserves totaled U.S.$23.1 billion, 48.3% lower than the previous year, of which U.S.$4.6 billion were foreign currency deposits, U.S.$14.3 billion were foreign currency and U.S.$4.1 billion were gold.

Restrictions to the Foreign Exchange Market and other related measures

In response to the deterioration of the Argentine economy and financial system in 2001, the inability of the Republic to service its public external indebtedness and the decreased level of deposits in the financial system, the Government issued Decree No. 1,570/2001 on December 3, 2001, which established certain monetary and currency exchange control measures, including restrictions on the free disposition of funds deposited in banks and restrictions on the transfer of funds abroad, subject to certain exceptions.

In addition to the above measures, on February 8, 2002, the Government and the Central Bank made certain transfers of funds abroad to service principal and/or interest payments on foreign indebtedness subject to prior authorization. From 2011 until December 2015, the Government increased controls on the sale of foreign currency and the acquisition of foreign assets by local residents, limiting the possibility of transferring funds abroad.

 

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Together with the regulations established in 2012 that subjected certain foreign exchange transactions to prior approval by the Argentine tax authorities or the Central Bank, certain measures adopted by the authorities significantly curtailed access to the Mercado Único y Libre de Cambio (the “MULC”). In response, an unofficial U.S. dollar trading market developed in which the peso-U.S. dollar exchange rate differed substantially from the official peso-U.S. dollar exchange rate.

Following an initial set of measures adopted in December 2015 with the aim of increasing capital inflows, the Government and the Central Bank introduced additional measures to eliminate restrictions affecting the balance of payment transactions. In August 2016, the Central Bank materially eased access to the MULC. In December 2016 and January 2017, the Central Bank further relaxed foreign exchange controls and, effective July 1, 2017, the Central Bank eliminated most of the remaining foreign exchange restrictions and adopted measures to provide access to the foreign exchange market by residents and non-residents.

The fundamental change in circumstances since 2018 resulted in a rapid reversal of many of the measures adopted during the prior two years. On September 1, 2019, the Central Bank imposed restrictions on foreign currency transactions, requiring financial institutions to obtain prior Central Bank approval to buy foreign currency in the exchange market (except in the case of foreign trade). Individuals were limited to purchases of foreign currency not to exceed U.S.$10,000 per month, which was eventually reduced to U.S.$200 per month in October 2019. Further, the Central Bank required exporters to repatriate the proceeds of export transactions five days after receiving payment or 180 days after receiving permission to ship.

During 2020 and 2021, the Central Bank adopted regulations further limiting access to the MULC, mainly aiming at preserving the level of international reserves. These measures included, among others, imposing surcharges on foreign currency operations, setting restrictions on settlements, requiring prior approval from the Central Bank, and limiting the total amount of payments for imports or the repatriation of dividends for non-residents.

In the last quarter of 2022, new restrictions were imposed on users of subsidized electricity, water, and natural gas, and an additional tax was added on foreign currency expenses exceeding certain amounts, as well as on personal, cultural, and leisure services hired abroad. The Central Bank also introduced the Sistema de Importaciones de la República Argentina (SIRA) to manage the access of importing firms to the MULC based on specific analyses of each importer.

In 2023, restrictions continued to be adopted. In May, the Central Bank created a new instrument called LEDIV (Central Bank bills in dollars, payable in pesos at the reference exchange rate, with zero interest, and non-transferable). LEDIVs were designed for importers to pay for goods, banks holding dollar-linked deposits, and oil companies that had increased production. By November, new subscriptions for these instruments were eliminated, with the outstanding amount totaling over U.S.$5 billion.

In September 2023, financial institutions were required to obtain declarations from enterprises stating that neither the legal entity nor the board members had engaged in operations with dollar bonds within the preceding 90 to 180 days to gain new access to the market.

In October 2023, the Central Bank further restricted dollar demand by limiting the banks’ holding of foreign currency assets. Thus, banks were prevented from increasing their daily cash positions in foreign currency without prior permission from the Central Bank.

For a description of measures implemented in 2024 to strengthen these restrictions, see “Recent Developments—Monetary System—Restrictions to the Foreign Exchange Market and other related measures.”

Inflation

For 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, accumulated inflation as measured by the National CPI methodology reached 53.8%, 36.1%, 50.9%, 94.8% and 211.4%, respectively, the highest rate since the early 1990s hyperinflation.

The following table sets forth inflation rates as measured by the National CPI for the periods specified.

 

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Inflation (1)

Evolution of the annual rate of change in the National CPI and WPI

(% change from previous period, unless otherwise specified)

 

     National CPI      WPI  

2019

     53.8        58.5  

January

     2.9        0.6  

February

     3.8        3.4  

March

     4.7        4.1  

April

     3.4        4.6  

May

     3.1        4.9  

June

     2.7        1.7  

July

     2.2        0.1  

August

     4.0        11.2  

September

     5.9        4.2  

October

     3.3        3.6  

November

     4.3        5.4  

December

     3.7        3.7  

2020

     36.1        35.4  

January

     2.3        1.5  

February

     2.0        1.1  

March

     3.3        1.0  

April

     1.5        (1.3

May

     1.5        0.4  

June

     2.2        3.7  

July

     1.9        3.5  

August

     2.7        4.1  

September

     2.8        3.7  

October

     3.8        4.7  

November

     3.2        4.2  

December

     4.0        4.4  

2021

     50.9        51.3  

January

     4.0        5.6  

February

     3.6        6.1  

March

     4.8        3.9  

April

     4.1        4.8  

May

     3.3        3.2  

June

     3.2        3.1  

July

     3.0        2.2  

August

     2.5        2.5  

September

     3.5        2.8  

October

     3.5        2.8  

November

     2.5        2.9  

December

     3.8        2.3  

2022

     94.8        94.8  

January

     3.9        3.7  

February

     4.7        4.7  

March

     6.7        6.3  

April

     6.0        5.9  

May

     5.1        5.2  

June

     5.3        4.8  

July

     7.4        7.1  

August

     7.0        8.2  

September

     6.2        5.5  

October

     6.3        4.8  

November

     4.9        6.3  

December

     5.1        6.1  

2023

     211.4        276.0  

January

     6.0        6.5  

February

     6.6        7.0  

March

     7.7        5.1  

April

     8.4        6.9  

 

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     National CPI      WPI  

May

     7.8        7.1  

June

     6.0        7.5  

July

     6.3        7.0  

August

     12.4        18.7  

September

     12.7        9.2  

October

     8.3        7.6  

November

     12.8        11.1  

December

     25.5        54.0  

 

(1)

Annual figures reflect accumulated annual inflation. Monthly figures reflect inflation for that month, as compared to the prior month.

Source: INDEC.

In 2020, the Government and the Central Bank adopted a series of measures, within the framework of policies to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, aimed at protecting debtors, including the freezing of mortgage loan installments updated by the Unidades de Valor Adquisitivo (Purchasing Value Units, or “UVA”) index, effective from April 2020 to January 2021. Further, in order to avoid substantial leaps in the evolution of installments after the freezing period, a convergence mechanism was established, effective from February 2021 to July 2022. In order to prevent possible situations of vulnerability within that framework, financial entities must offer facilities to debtors if the installment-to-income ratio exceeds certain thresholds.

In the first half of 2022, the inflation rate increased mainly as a consequence of the factors influencing inflation in 2021 and indexation mechanisms such as a salary adjustment program adopted by the Government following negotiations with labor unions. During the second half of 2022, the inflation rate increased mainly as a result of the higher volatility in the local financial market, uncertainty in the foreign exchange market and higher expected inflation.

In November 2022, the Government created the Programa de Precios Justos (Fair Prices Program), replacing the Precios Cuidados program, to maintain certain products at a fixed price until February 2023. Companies that adhered to the program were subject to sanctions in the event of product shortages.

During the first seven months of 2023, the Government adopted measures aimed at reducing financial volatility and controlling inflation included increasing the monetary policy rate from 75% in January to 97% in July, renewing and expanding the currency swap with China, restoring the Programa de Incremento Exportador (Export Growth Program), and adjusting regulations to improve foreign reserve management.

In July 2023, the Ministry of Economy introduced new measures to alleviate inflationary pressures. These measures included the reintegration of VAT for pensioners, social plan beneficiaries, employees earning up to six minimum salaries, and self-employed individuals paying self-employment tax (Monotributo). The exemption threshold for income tax was raised to include only those earning over Ps.1.7 milllion, approximately 0.88% of all taxpayers. Support for the food program under PAMI (Programa de Atención Médica Integral), which provides medical assistance for retirees, pensioners, and people without retirement income, was also increased. Fiscal pressure on the agricultural sector was reduced by eliminating export retentions on food products affected by drought. Additionally, bonuses were provided for retirees and employees with lower incomes, and financial assistance to SMEs was increased.

In October 2023, the Government reinstated the Precios Justos program to stabilize the prices of basic products and medicines, temporarily freezing prices for regulated products such as gasoline and private health insurance, and postponed fare increases for trains, buses, electricity, and gas. The Central Bank raised the monetary policy rate to 118% (ending the year at 113%) and continued its efforts to stabilize the foreign exchange market.

Regulation of the Financial Sector

The Central Bank regulates the financial sector. The Central Bank has the authority to set minimum capital, liquidity and solvency requirements, approve bank mergers, approve certain capital increases and transfers of stock, grant and revoke banking licenses and authorize the establishment of branches of foreign financial institutions in Argentina. The Central Bank also regularly monitors the activities and operations of financial institutions, requiring them to submit periodic financial reports, and is authorized to adopt regulations in accordance with the Financial Institutions Law.

 

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The Central Bank regulates the financial sector primarily through the Superintendencia de Entidades Financieras y Cambiarias (Superintendence of Financial and Exchange Institutions), which is responsible for enforcing Argentina’s banking laws, establishing accounting and financial reporting requirements for the banking sector, monitoring and regulating the lending practices of financial institutions and establishing rules for participation of financial institutions in the foreign exchange market and the issuance of bonds and other securities.

In 2011, the Central Bank published a roadmap for the implementation of Basel III. Since then, the Central Bank has taken steps to adopt these regulations with the aim of identifying risks relating to liquidity shortages in systemically important domestic financial institutions and began implementing a comprehensive set of reform measures under Basel III that will help prevent systemic vulnerabilities. Currently, the Central Bank monitors financial institutions’ compliance with established indicators and publishes such results in a financial stability report, which is published every six-months.

During the first half of 2016, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision carried out a periodic review of Argentina’s adoption of international standards relating to the regulation of capital and bank liquidity. The primary purpose of this review was to ensure consistent application of these standards among all Basel Committee members. In 2017 and 2018, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision published reports reflecting Argentina’s progress in the adoption of these standards. Further, in November 2018, the Bank of International Settlement published a report describing progress with regards to the adoption of such standards, evaluating the integrity and consistency of the regulation with respect to the standards and analyzing the results of the regulations.

In April 2021, following the recommendations of the Financial Stability Board, the Central Bank set the guidelines for the management of cyber-attacks in the financial sector with the objective of limiting the risks associated to such incidents.

In 2023, in addition to the measures regarding the foreign exchange market and inflation (see “—Restrictions to the Foreign Exchange Market and other related measures” and “—Inflation”), other measures were related to liquidity management and monetary regulation were introduced. For example, the Central Bank allowed financial institutions to fulfill their minimum cash requirements using Government bonds issued in pesos, with a residual maturity between 300 and 730 days from the moment of integration, later extended to 760 days, resulting from government bond exchange operations.

From April to December of 2023, financial institutions were permitted, with prior Central Bank authorization, to distribute up to 40% of their financial results in six equal monthly installments. Commercial banks that allowed their clients to use ATMs, regardless of ownership, were required to open a special account for such purpose. Clients’ voluntary foreign currency holdings, both inside and overseas, had to be deposited in their accounts specifically opened for that purpose.

Additionally, the Central Bank established guidelines for local governments to pay foreign debt capital amortizations, requiring them to submit a plan that provided for the payment of up to 40% of the amortization, rolling over the remaining debt with a due date of no less than two years.

Composition of the Financial Sector

As of December 31, 2023, there were 77 financial institutions operating in Argentina. The following table sets forth the number of financial institutions operating in Argentina as of the dates specified.

Number of Financial Institutions in Operation in the Financial System, by Type

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

State-owned banks(1)

     13        13        13        13        13  

Private banks

     50        51        51        50        50  

Financial entities other than banks

     15        15        15        14        14  

Credit Institutions (Cajas de Crédito)

     —         —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     78        79        79        77        77  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes national, provincial and municipal banks.

Source: Central Bank.

 

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Number of Financial Institutions in Operation in the Financial System, Domestic and Foreign

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

National institutions(1)

     53        54        54        54        54  

Foreign-owned institutions(2)

     25        25        25        23        23  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     78        79        79        77        77  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes state-owned banks, private banks and other financial institutions (such as credit unions).

(2)

Includes private foreign banks and other foreign financial entities other than banks.

Source: Central Bank.

Assets and Liabilities of the Financial System

The following tables set forth the assets and liabilities of the Argentine financial system as of the dates specified.

Total Assets and Liabilities of the Financial System by Type of Institution (in millions of pesos)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

State-owned banks:(1)

              

Assets

   Ps. 2,543,317      Ps. 4,060,819      Ps. 6,453,792      Ps. 12,483,046      Ps. 38,691,082  

Liabilities

     2,283,135        3,534,957        5,575,296        10,472,554        29,893,044  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

     260,182        525,862        878,496        2,010,493        8,798,038  

Private banks:

              

Assets

     4,091,928        6,702,994        10,124,860        19,297,052        58,005,614  

Liabilities

     3,459,164        5,561,498        8,324,566        15,540,405        44,555,873  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

     632,764        1,141,496        1,800,294        3,756,647        13,449,740  

Financial entities other than banks:

              

Assets

     105,906        138,356        184,071        297,060        841,009  

Liabilities

     88,245        113,260        149,535        242,994        692,036  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net

     17,661        25,096        34,535        54,067        148,973  

Total assets and liabilities:

              

Assets

     6,741,151        10,902,169        16,762,722        32,077,158        97,537,705  

Liabilities

     5,830,544        9,209,715        14,049,397        26,255,943        75,140,953  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net

   Ps. 910,607      Ps. 1,692,454      Ps. 2,713,325      Ps. 5,821,206      Ps. 22,397.751  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes national, provincial and municipal banks.

Source: Central Bank.

 

D-96


Total Assets and Liabilities in the Financial System by Type of Institution

(% change from the previous period)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

State-owned banks:(1)

          

Assets

     15.3     59.7     58.9     93.4     209.9

Liabilities

     15.4       54.8       57.7       87.8       185.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net

     14.7       102.1       67.1       128.9       337.6  

Private banks:

          

Assets

     26.5       63.8       51.0       90.6       200.6  

Liabilities

     20.9       60.8       49.7       86.7       186.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net

     69.9       80.4       57.7       108.7       258.0  

Financial entities other than banks:

          

Assets

     16.3       30.6       33.0       61.4       183.1  

Liabilities

     10.4       28.3       32.0       62.5       184.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net

     57.9       42.1       37.6       56.6       175.5  

Total assets and liabilities:

          

Assets

     21.9       61.7       53.8       91.4       204.1  

Liabilities

     18.5       58.0       52.5       86.9       186.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net

     49.1      85.9      60.3      114.5     284.7 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes national, provincial and municipal banks.

Source: Central Bank

Assets

Total assets of the financial system increased in nominal terms by 21.9% to Ps.6,741.1 billion in 2019, 61.7% to Ps.10,902.2 billion in 2020, 53.8% to Ps.16,762.7 billion in 2021 and 91.4% to Ps.32,077.2 billion in 2022. In 2023, total assets of the financial system increased in nominal terms by 204.1% to Ps.97,537.7 billion.

Loan Portfolio and Risk Profile

The following tables set forth loan data by type of institution in the financial sector as of the dates specified.

Outstanding Loans by Type of Financial Institution

(in millions of pesos)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

State-owned banks(1)

   Ps. 989,157      Ps. 1,277,241      Ps. 1,898,738      Ps. 3,251,254      Ps. 7,708,413  

Private banks

     1,651,170        2,171,554        3,055,176        5,152,596        13,347,073  

Financial entities other than banks

     84,161        106,937        138,629        181,642        445,066  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   Ps. 2,724,488      Ps.  3,555,732      Ps.  5,092,543      Ps.  8,585,492      Ps.  21,500,552  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes national, provincial and municipal banks.

Source: Central Bank.

 

D-97


Outstanding Loans by Type of Financial Institution

(as a % of total)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

State-owned banks(1)

     36.3     35.9     37.3     37.9     35.9

Private banks

     60.6       61.1       60.0       60.0       62.1  

Financial entities other than banks

     3.1       3.0       2.7       2.1       2.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes national, provincial and municipal banks.

Source: Central Bank.

Allocation of Outstanding Loans by Sector

(in millions of pesos)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Non-financial public sector

   Ps. 104,130     Ps. 97,734     Ps. 120,621     Ps. 205,218     Ps. 534,676  

Financial sector (public and private)

     58,154       68,654       94,118       103,483       265,225  

Non-financial private sector

     2,721,102       3,608,305       5,137,193       8,644,790       21,890,528  

Provisions for doubtful accounts

     (158,898     (218,961     (259,389     (367,999     (1,189,878
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   Ps.  2.724.488     Ps.  3,555,732     Ps.  5,092,543     Ps.  8,585,492     Ps. 21,500,552  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Source: Central Bank.

Allocation of Outstanding Loans by Sector

(% change from the previous period)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Non-financial public sector

     111.0     (6.1 )%      23.4     71.0     160.5

Financial sector (public and private)

     (5.7     18.1       37.1       9.9       156.3  

Non-financial private sector

     20.7       32.6       42.4       68.3       153.2  

Provisions for doubtful accounts

     82.6       37.8       18.5       41.9       223.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     19.6      30.5      43.2      9.7      150.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Source: Central Bank

During 2019, peso-denominated loans to the private and public sectors increased by 19.4% as compared to 2018. U.S. dollar-denominated loans to the private and public sector decreased by 30.7%, from U.S.$15.5 billion in 2018 to U.S.$10.8 billion in 2019. Peso-denominated loans to the private sector increased by 17.6%, from Ps.1,540 billion in 2018 to Ps.1,811 billion in 2019. The inflation for the year was 53.8%. See “—Inflation.”

During 2020, peso-denominated loans to the private and public sectors increased by 47.1% as compared to 2019. U.S. dollar-denominated loans to the private and public sector decreased by 49.3%, from U.S.$10.8 billion in 2019 to U.S.$5.5 billion in 2020. Peso-denominated loans to the private sector increased by 49.4%, from Ps.1,811 billion in 2019 to Ps.2,705 billion in 2020. The inflation for the year was 36.1%. See “—Inflation.”

During 2021, peso-denominated loans to the private and public sectors increased by 47.4% as compared to 2020. U.S. dollar-denominated loans to the private and public sector decreased by 21.8%, from U.S.$5.5 billion in 2020 to U.S.$4.3 billion in 2021. Peso-denominated loans to the private sector increased by 48.0%, from Ps.2,705 billion in 2020 to Ps.4,003 billion in 2021. The inflation for the year was 50.9%. See “—Inflation.”

 

D-98


During 2022, peso-denominated loans to the private and public sectors increased by 66.7% as compared to 2021. U.S. dollar-denominated loans to the private and public sector decreased by 14.6%, from U.S.$4.3 billion in 2021 to U.S.$3.6 billion in 2022. Peso-denominated loans to the private sector increased by 67.2%, from Ps.4,003 billion in 2021 to Ps.6,695 billion in 2022. The inflation for the year was 94.8%. See “—Inflation.”

During 2023, peso-denominated loans to the private and public sectors increased by 130.4% as compared to 2022. U.S. dollar-denominated loans to the private and public sector increased by 1.0%, from U.S.$3.6 billion in 2022 to U.S.$3.7 billion in 2023. Peso-denominated loans to the private sector increased by 130.1%, from Ps.6,694 billion in 2022 to Ps.15,401 billion in 2023. The inflation for the year was 211.4%. See “—Inflation.”

The following table sets forth information regarding loans of the financial system by risk category and type of institution.

Risk Classification of Aggregate Assets of the Financial System by Type of Institution

(as a % of total loans, as of December 31, 2023)

 

     Public
Banks
    Private
Banks
    Financial
Companies
    Financial
System
 

Risk category:

        

Current(1)

     91.5     97.8     95.1     95.5

Potentially problematic assets:

        

Special monitoring/low risk (2)

     1.7       0.8       1.4       1.2  

Problematic/medium risk(3)

     0.7       0.5       1.2       0.6  

At high risk of insolvency/high risk (4)

     0.8       0.6       1.2       0.7  

Irrecoverable (5)

     5.2       0.2       1.1       2.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes customers who pay their obligations on time or are no more than 31 days in arrears.

(2)

Includes customers who (i) are in occasional default in meeting their obligations, with arrears of more than 31 to 90 days and (ii) were granted refinancing for the first time within a given calendar year and paid the first installment of such refinancing.

(3)

Includes customers that demonstrate some inability to pay their obligations, with arrears of more than 90 to 180 days.

(4)

Includes customers with arrears of more than 180 days up to one year.

(5)

Includes insolvent or bankrupt customers with little or no possibility of recovering the loan or with arrears of more than one year.

Source: Central Bank.

Liabilities

Total liabilities of the financial system increased in nominal terms by 18.5% to Ps.5,830.5 billion in 2019, 58.0% to Ps.9,209.7 billion in 2020, 52.5% to Ps.14,049.4 billion in 2021, 87.0% to Ps.26,256 billion in 2022 and 186.2% to Ps.75,141 billion in 2023.

Deposits

In 2019, total deposits in Argentina’s financial system increased by 18.4% to Ps.4,838.9 billion as of December 31, 2019 compared to Ps.4,085.2 billion as of December 31, 2018. Non-financial public sector deposits decreased by 11.8% as of December 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018. Deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 26.5%, comprised of a 75.7% increase in demand deposits, a 16.9% increase in deposits in savings accounts and a 20.7% increase in term deposits in the eleven months ended December 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018.

Broken down by currency and sector (excluding the financial sector), deposits were as follows as of December 31, 2019:

 

   

total peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector increased by 20.3% to Ps.3,218.8 billion compared to the same date in 2018;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial public sector decreased by 19.2% to Ps.586.3 billion compared to 2018;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 35.0% to Ps.2,632.5 billion compared to 2018; and

 

   

total dollar-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector decreased by 36.5% to U.S.$20.8 billion compared to 2018.

During 2019, Argentina’s context of increased economic and financial distress caused dollar-denominated deposits in the financial sector to decrease significantly and current accounts increased significantly relative to fixed terms deposits.

 

D-99


In 2020, total deposits in Argentina’s financial system increased by 66.4% to Ps.8,049.6 billion as of December 31, 2020 compared to Ps.4,838.9 billion as of December 31, 2019. Non-financial public sector deposits increased by 89.0% as of December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019. Deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 62.1%, comprised of a 80.3% increase in demand deposits, a 52.8% increase in deposits in savings accounts and a 68.8% increase in term deposits in the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 compared to December 31, 2019.

Broken down by currency and sector (excluding the financial sector), deposits were as follows as of December 31, 2020:

 

   

total peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector increased by 88.5% to Ps.6,066.7 billion compared to the same date in 2019;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial public sector increased by 103.3% to Ps.1,191.7 billion compared to 2019;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 85.2% to Ps.4,875.0 billion compared to 2019; and

 

   

total dollar-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector decreased by 14.4% to U.S.$17.8 billion compared to 2019.

During 2020, Argentina’s context of increased economic and financial distress caused dollar-denominated deposits in the financial sector to decrease significantly and current accounts increased significantly relative to fixed terms deposits.

In 2021, total deposits in Argentina’s financial system increased by 53.4% to Ps.12,345.1 billion as of December 31, 2021, compared to Ps.8,049.6 billion as of December 31, 2020. Non-financial public sector deposits increased by 64.3% as of December 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020. Deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 51.0%, comprised of a 65.8% increase in demand deposits, a 44.2% increase in deposits in savings accounts and a 50.5% increase in term deposits in the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 compared to December 31, 2020.

Broken down by currency and sector (excluding the financial sector), deposits were as follows as of December 31, 2021:

 

   

total peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector increased by 58.0% to Ps.9,585.9 billion compared to the same date in 2020;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial public sector increased by 56.2% to Ps.1,860.5 billion compared to 2020;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 58.4% to Ps.7,725.4 billion compared to 2020; and

 

   

total dollar-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector increased by 2.6% to U.S.$18.2 billion compared to 2020.

In 2022, total deposits in Argentina’s financial system increased by 88.5% to Ps.23,264.5 billion as of December 31, 2022, compared to Ps.12,345.1 billion as of December 31, 2021. Non-financial public sector deposits increased by 57.8% as of December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021. Deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 95.6%, comprised of a 64.3% increase in demand deposits, a 86.5% increase in deposits in savings accounts and a 118.5% increase in term deposits in the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021.

Broken down by currency and sector (excluding the financial sector), deposits were as follows as of December 31, 2022:

 

   

total peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector increased by 90.3% to Ps.18,245.2 billion compared to the same date in 2021;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial public sector increased by 65.6% to Ps.3,080.7 billion compared to 2021;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 96.3% to Ps.15,164.5 billion compared to 2021; and

 

   

total dollar-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector increased by 3.0% to U.S.$18.8 billion compared to 2021.

In 2023, total deposits in Argentina’s financial system increased by 169.9% to Ps.62,796.3 billion as of December 31, 2023, compared to Ps.23,265.8 billion as of December 31, 2022. Non-financial public sector deposits increased by 156.6% as of December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022. Deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 172.3%, comprised of a 64.3%increase in demand deposits, a 86.5% increase in deposits in savings accounts and a 118.5% increase in term deposits in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022.

 

D-100


Broken down by currency and sector (excluding the financial sector), deposits were as follows as of December 31, 2023:

 

   

total peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector increased by 118.3% to Ps.39,827.9 billion compared to the same date in 2022;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial public sector increased by 127.1% to Ps.6,988.4 billion compared to 2022;

 

   

peso-denominated deposits by the non-financial private sector increased by 116.5% to Ps.32,839.5 billion compared to 2022; and

 

   

total dollar-denominated deposits by the non-financial sector decreased by 10.2% to U.S.$16.9 billion compared to 2022.

 

D-101


The following tables set forth information on total deposits in the financial sector as of the dates specified.

Deposits by Type of Financial Institution

(in millions of pesos)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

State-owned banks(1)

   Ps. 2,059,643      Ps. 3,278,539      Ps. 5,232,990      Ps. 9,734,205      Ps. 26,298,412  

Private banks

     2,763,659        4,745,214        7,074,426        13,447,791        36,184,917  

Financial entities other than banks

     15,585        25,894        37,679        83,832        312,980  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   Ps.  4,838,886      Ps.  8,049,647      Ps.  12,345,095      Ps.  23,265,828      Ps.  62,796,309  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes national, provincial and municipal banks.

Source: Central Bank.

Deposits by Type of Financial Institution

(as a % of total)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

State-owned banks(1)

     42.6     40.7     42.4     41.8     41.9

Private banks

     57.1       58.9       57.3       57.8       5.76  

Financial entities other than banks

     0.3       0.3       0.3       0.4       0.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes national, provincial and municipal banks.

Source: Central Bank.

Deposits by Sector and by Type of Deposit

(in millions of pesos)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Non-financial public sector

   Ps. 763,198      Ps. 1,442,092      Ps. 2,369,708      Ps. 3,740,427      Ps. 9,599,796  

Financial sector (public and private)

     17,950        28,359        37,927        68,480        223,447  

Non-financial private sector

     4,057,738        6,579,197        9,937,460        19,456,916        52,973,066  

Demand deposits

     696,920        1,256,704        2,083,553        3,423,856        9,391,843  

Savings accounts

     1,634,611        2,498,286        3,601,765        6,720,076        25,619,785  

Term deposits

     1,544,710        2,606,969        3,924,526        8,576,387        15,559,905  

Others

     181,497        217,238        327,616        328,995        1,026,309  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total deposits

   Ps. 4,838,886      Ps. 8,049,647      Ps. 12,345,095      Ps. 23,265,823      Ps. 62,796,309  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Source: Central Bank.

Deposits by Sector and by Type of Deposit

(% change from the previous period)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Non-financial public sector

     (11.8 )%      89.0     64.3     57.8     156.6

Financial sector (public and private)

     38.3       58.0       33.7       80.6       226.3  

Non-financial private sector

     26.5       62.1       51.0       95.8       172.3  

Demand deposits

     75.7       80.3       65.8       64.3       174.3  

Savings accounts

     16.9       52.8       44.2       86.6       281.2  

Term deposits

     20.7       68.8       50.5       118.5       81.4  

 

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     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Others

     36.2       19.7       50.8       0.4       212.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deposits

     18.4      66.4      53.4      88.5      169.9 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Source: Central Bank.

Interest Rates

Interest Rates on Bank Loans

As of December 31, 2023, the annual average interbank rate on peso-denominated loans was 89.1% (as compared to 48.1% as of December 31, 2022). The overdraft current account rate increased from 52.5% as of December 31, 2022 to 96.0% as of December 31, 2023. The annual average dollar-denominated interbank rate increased from 4.1% as of December 31, 2022 to 6.2% as of December 31, 2022.

As of December 31, 2023, nominal annual interest rates on peso-denominated personal loans increased to 137.4 % from 77.9% as of December 31, 2022 and the average interest rates on peso-denominated mortgage loans increased from 62.7% as of December 31, 2022 to 111.5% as of December 31, 2023.

The following table sets forth information regarding average interest rates on bank loans for the periods specified.

Interest Rates on Bank Loans

(nominal annual interest rate)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Domestic currency:

          

Interbank(1)

     60.2     22.7     31.2     48.1     89.1

Overdraft Current Account(2)

     67.3       29.3       35.6       52.5       96.0  

Foreign currency:

          

Interbank(1)

     3.1     6.2     3.6     4.1     6.2

 

(1)

Average interbank rate.

(2)

Average interest rate on current account peso-denominated overdrafts.

Source: Central Bank.

On September 15, 2022, the Central Bank increased the monetary policy rate from 69.5% to 75.0% and the floor of term deposits by individuals up to an annual 75.0% for 30-day deposits of up to Ps.10 million. For the rest of the term deposits of the private sector, the floor was set at 66.5%.

During 2023, the Central Bank increased the monetary policy rate from 75.0% to 133% for the final Leliq auction. After Milei’s administration took office on December 10, 2023, the Central Bank decided to discontinue the use of Leliqs as a liquidity control instrument and, instead, opted for reverse repo transactions to absorb monetary surpluses.

Interest Rates on Deposits

The average nominal annual interest rate on peso-denominated term deposits increased from 32.0% in 2018 to 47.3% in 2019. The average nominal annual interest rate on U.S. dollar-denominated term deposits increased from 1.0% in 2018 to 1.6% in 2019. The monthly average nominal peso BADLAR rate for private banks decreased from 48.6% for the month of December 2018 to 41.7% for the month of December 2019.

The average nominal annual interest rate on peso-denominated term deposits decreased from 47.3% in 2019 to 29.4% in 2020. The average nominal annual interest rate on U.S. dollar-denominated term deposits decreased from 1.6% in 2019 to 0.8% in 2020. The monthly average nominal peso BADLAR rate for private banks decreased from 39.4% for the month of December 2019 to 34.2% for the month of December 2020.

 

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The average nominal annual interest rate on peso-denominated term deposits increased from 29.4% in 2020 to 33.6% in 2021. The average nominal annual interest rate on U.S. dollar-denominated term deposits decreased from 0.8% in 2020 to 0.4% in 2021. The monthly average nominal peso BADLAR rate for private banks decreased from 34.2% for the month of December 2020 to 34.1% for the month of December 2021.

The average nominal annual interest rate on peso-denominated term deposits increased from 33.6% in 2021 to 52.5% in 2022. The average nominal annual interest rate on U.S. dollar-denominated term deposits decreased from 0.42% in 2021 to 0.38% in 2022. The monthly average nominal peso BADLAR rate for private banks increased from 34.1% for the month of December 2021 to 69.4% for the month of December 2022.

The average nominal annual interest rate on peso-denominated term deposits increased from 52.5% in 2022 to 95.0% in 2023. The average nominal annual interest rate on U.S. dollar-denominated term deposits decreased from 0.38% in 2022 to 0.34% in 2023. The monthly average nominal peso BADLAR rate for private banks increased from 69.4% for the month of December 2022 to 109.8% for the month of December 2023.

The following table sets forth information regarding average interest rates on bank deposits for the periods specified.

Interest Rates on Deposits, Lebacs and Leliqs

(nominal annual interest rate)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Domestic currency:

          

Savings deposits

     7.2     4.5     7.4     13.2     35.5

Term deposits(1)

     47.3       29.4       33.6       52.5       95.0  

Average deposit rate(2)

     34.6       19.6       23.8       41.5       118.7  

Leliq(3)

     66.02       48.45       38.00       60.05       101.93  

Notaliq(4)

     —        —        —        62.91       87.40  

Foreign currency:

          

Savings deposits

     0.04       0.03       0.02       0.02       0.02  

Term deposits(1)

     1.6       0.8       0.42       0.38       0.34  

Average deposit rate(2)

     0.5       0.3       0.15       0.14       0.12  

 

(1)

Weighted average interest rate on all term deposits.

(2)

Weighted average interest rate on term deposits plus savings deposits.

(3)

Weighted average annual rate for all term Leliqs.

(4)

Weighted average annual rate for all term Notaliqs

n.a. = not available.

Source: Central Bank.

Securities Markets

In the Argentine securities market, Government bonds dominate trading activities, followed by trading of corporate equity securities and corporate bonds. Trading of other instruments such as futures and options represents only a small portion of market activity.

Regulation of the Securities Markets

The Argentine securities markets are regulated by the CNV and the stock markets. The CNV supervises all agents that carry out transactions in Argentina’s public securities markets, including brokers, public companies, mutual funds and clearinghouses, and has the authority to regulate and control the public offering of all securities, other than the primary issue of Government securities.

On December 29, 2016, the CNV authorized Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos (“ByMA”) as a market for the listing of securities through a public offering approval. The ByMA began its activities on May 23, 2017 and, subsequently, all listing of notes on the MERVAL were automatically transferred to ByMA. Currently, the primary markets are the ByMA and the Mercado Abierto Electrónico (“MAE”).

In the first half of the 1990s, changes to the legal framework provided for the issuance and trading of new financial products in the Argentine capital markets, including commercial paper, new types of corporate bonds, as well as futures and options. This period was characterized by relatively low levels of regulation of the Argentine securities market and limited enforcement. In November 2013,

 

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Congress approved the Capital Markets Law No. 26,831, which empowered the CNV to strengthen disclosure and regulatory standards for the Argentine securities market. The new standards were introduced through changes to the CNV’s rules implemented under Resolution 622/2013. On May 9, 2018, Congress enacted Law No. 27,440 to (i) develop national capital markets to increase financing for MSMEs; (ii) promote access to housing by generating financing for mortgage loans; (iii) increase financial instruments that favor and promote long-term savings; (iv) strengthen the regulatory powers of the CNV; and (v) stimulate the federalization of capital markets through technology.

During 2019, the value of the Argentine securities was adversely affected by investors’ perceptions of the long-term effects of macroeconomic developments, which resulted in significant decreases of company valuations and increases in yields in the secondary market for debt securities of Argentine issuers. As of December 31, 2019, the market capitalization of Argentina’s main securities market for equities was U.S.$176.3 billion, a 36.7% decrease compared to December 31, 2018 when measured in U.S. dollars. Measured in pesos, the market capitalization of Argentina’s main securities market for equities remained stable in 2019, despite fewer listed companies.

During 2020, the value of the Argentine securities was adversely affected by investors’ perceptions of the long-term effects of macroeconomic developments and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in significant decreases of company valuations and increases in yields in the secondary market for debt securities of Argentine issuers. As of December 31, 2020, the market capitalization of Argentina’s main securities market for equities was U.S.$112.1 billion (when measured in U.S. dollars), a 36.4% decrease compared to December 31, 2019. Measured in pesos, the market capitalization of Argentina’s main securities market for equities also decreased in 2020.

During 2021, the value of the Argentine securities was adversely affected by investors’ perceptions of the long-term effects of macroeconomic developments and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in significant decreases of company valuations and increases in yields in the secondary market for debt securities of Argentine issuers.

Between December 2020 and December 2021, Argentine companies increased their capital markets financing by 43%. As of December 31, 2021, the market capitalization of Argentina’s main securities market for equities was U.S.$41.7 billion, representing a 41.4% and 79.7% increase when measured in U.S. dollars and pesos, respectively, compared to December 31, 2020.

During 2022, the value of the Argentine securities was adversely affected by investors’ perceptions of the long-term effects of macroeconomic developments and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in significant decreases of company valuations and increases in yields in the secondary market for debt securities of Argentine issuers.

Between December 2021 and December 2022, Argentine companies increased their capital markets financing by 51.0%. As of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of Argentina’s main securities market for equities was U.S.$54.1 billion (when measured in U.S. dollars), a 29.8% increase compared to December 31, 2021.

As of December 31, 2023, the market capitalization of Argentina’s main securities market for equities was U.S.$46.78 billion (when measured in U.S. dollars), a 13.6% decrease compared to December 31, 2022. Throughout 2023, companies’ funding via capital markets reached Ps.433,404 million, representing a 127% increase compared to the previous year. For SMEs alone, financing amounted to Ps.329,778 million, marking a 295% increase compared to December 2022.

Mutual Funds and the FGS

From 2005 to 2008, individuals, pension funds and mutual funds constituted the largest groups of investors in Argentina’s capital markets.

On November 20, 2008, Congress approved Law No. 26,425, which reformed the private pension system. Under this law, the former private pension system was absorbed and replaced by the Sistema Solidario de Reparto (Argentine Integrated Pension System), structured as a “pay as you go” system. As a result, all of the resources administered by the private pension funds, including equity interests in a wide range of listed companies, were transferred to a separate fund, the FGS, to be administered by the ANSES. The assets held in the FGS may only be used to make advances to the Government to cover unexpected budget deficits that prevent the Government (through ANSES) from honoring its obligation to make social security and pension payments. The FGS holds a wide range of financial assets, including without limitation public sector securities, shares of corporations, fixed and floating rate instruments, bonds, mutual funds, securities representing debt issued under trusts and mortgage bonds. As of December 2023, the FGS was valued at Ps.40,084.3 billion. Securities and stocks were the FGS’s most important investments, representing 84.7% of the total value of the Fund.

 

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Total Assets of the FGS

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Assets (in billions of pesos)

     Ps. 2,387.8       Ps. 3,500.6       Ps. 5,254.9       Ps.9,534.9       Ps.40,084.3  

Percentage increase from previous year

     44.8     46.6     50.1     81.4     320.4

 

Source: FGS.

Government Bonds

In terms of trading volume, the Argentine bond market is dominated by Government securities. The total traded amount of public bonds reached U.S.$159.6 billion in 2019, U.S.$218.8 billion in 2020, U.S.$284.3 billion in 2021, U.S.$383.3 billion in 2022 and U.S.$555.2 billion in 2023.

For a description of the types of bonds issued by the Government see “Public Sector Debt.”

Corporate Bonds

Corporate bonds are issued in registered form and may be denominated in local or foreign currency. Interest rates on corporate bonds may be fixed or floating and can vary substantially with market conditions and the creditworthiness of the issuer.

Equities

The Argentine equities market is regulated by the CNV. Authorized markets, following CNV standards, set the rules that corporate issuers must follow to list equity securities on those markets.

In 2019, equity total trading volume contracted by 41.6% to U.S.$4.3 billion compared to U.S.$7.4 billion in 2018. In 2020, equity total trading volume contracted by 16.4% to U.S.$3.6 billion compared to U.S.$4.3 billion in 2019. In 2021, equity total trading volume contracted by 14.5% to U.S.$3.1 billion compared to U.S.$3.6 billion in 2020. In 2022, equity total trading volume grew by 3.3% to U.S.$3.2 billion compared to U.S.$3.1 billion in 2021. In 2023, equity total trading volume grew by 168% to U.S.$8.5 billion compared to U.S.$3.2 billion in 2022.

The following table sets forth certain data regarding the market capitalization and average daily trading volume on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange as of the dates specified.

Market Capitalization and Traded Amount on the Buenos Aires Stock Exchange

(in millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise specified)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Market capitalization (in billions of U.S. Dollars)

   U.S.$ 37.1      U.S.$ 29.5      U.S.$ 41.7      U.S.$ 54.1      U.S.$ 46.8  

Average daily traded amount

     857.5        1,695.7        2,339.2        3,713.8        4,978.7  

Shares

     17.9        14.9        12.6        13.0        35.1  

Corporate bonds

     18.5        121.3        281.2        578.2        559.6  

Public bonds

     627.0        897.3        1,165.1        1,570.7        2,284.9  

Others(1)

     194.1        662.1        880.2        1,307.9        2,099.2  

Total traded amount(2)

     214,049        414,672        570,759        846,635        1,209,830  

Shares

     4,313        3,607        3,085        3,175        8,540  

Corporate bonds

     4,670.2        31,321        68,611        141,089        135,971  

Public bonds

     159,619.4        218,854        284,291        383,250        555,220  

Others(1)

   U.S.$ 45,446      U.S.$  160,890      U.S.$  214,772      U.S.$  319,121      U.S.$ 510,098  

 

(1)

Includes mutual funds, index futures, options and others.

(2)

Total traded amounts for each year.

Source: Buenos Aires Stock Exchange.

 

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PUBLIC SECTOR FINANCES

Introduction

Argentina’s public sector comprises national, provincial and municipal entities. These entities are divided into the non-financial public sector and the financial public sector. The non-financial public sector consists of national, provincial and municipal administrations, state-owned enterprises, certain public agencies and special-purpose fiduciary funds. The National Administration, in turn, is composed of the Central Administration, decentralized agencies and social security institutions (including former provincial pension funds). The financial public sector consists of the Central Bank, the Banco de la Nación Argentina, the BICE and ten other public financial entities (including provincial and municipal banks).

The chart below sets forth the organizational structure of Argentina’s public sector, excluding the non-financial municipal sector.

 

LOGO

The Central Administration comprises the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Government, including the public ministries. National decentralized agencies include governmental institutions, such as the Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos (“AFIP”) with a budget, revenues and expenditures separate from the Central Administration. The national social security institutions consist of the ANSES, which is a self-governing entity, the Armed Forces Pension Fund and the Federal Police Pension Fund. As of the date of this Annual Report, ten provinces and the City of Buenos Aires had transferred their social security obligations to ANSES.

The national public accounts reflect the consolidated results of the non-financial national public sector.

Argentina’s provincial and local authorities are independent from the Government and maintain separate fiscal accounts. Accordingly, the fiscal results of the provinces and local governments are not reflected in the national public accounts. The Central Administration, however, is legally required to transfer a portion of its revenues to the provinces and from time to time has also provided other forms of financial assistance to the provinces. See “—Fiscal Relations with the Provinces.”

Except as otherwise specified in the discussion below, the national public accounts are presented using a cash-basis method, which computes revenues and expenditures in the period in which cash flows take place, regardless of the period in which they were accrued. In the discussion of the National Public Accounts below and throughout this Annual Report, the non-financial national public sector is referred to as the “Government.” Additionally, we refer to the fiscal balance of the non-financial national public sector as the “primary fiscal balance.” This primary fiscal balance does not reflect the issuance of Bocones, a debt instrument issued by the Government to discharge a portion of its payment obligations (e.g., with suppliers) or interest payments. The overall balance of the non-financial national public sector includes interest payments unless otherwise specified.

National Public Accounts

Overview

Since 2016, fiscal results are presented such that (i) transfers from the Central Bank and FGS to the Government are excluded from total fiscal revenues, (ii) intra-public sector interest payments on public debt made by the Government are excluded from total primary expenditures and (iii) tax revenues are presented net of revenues and transfers co-participated with the provinces, pension contributions, subsidies and social security transfers of the Government. Information below for years prior to 2016, employs data using the new reporting methodology described above.

Amounts in the discussion of fiscal results below are those set forth in the immediately following tables, with the exception of references to revenues from social security taxes, value-added taxes (“VAT”), income taxes, taxes on goods and services and taxes on fuel, each of which relate to data set forth in the table titled “Composition of Tax Revenues” presented in “—Tax Regime,” which include revenues (and transfers) “co-participated” with the provinces (see “—Fiscal Relations with the Provinces”) and pension contributions mandated by the Argentine Integrated Pension System.

 

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Evolution of Fiscal Results: 2019 to 2023

From 2019 to 2023, the Government recorded deficits in both the primary fiscal balance and the overall balance. After declining, as a percentage of GDP to 18.3% in 2019, primary expenditures increased to 23.7% of GDP in 2020 and decreased to 20.5% of GDP in 2021 and 19.6% of GDP in 2022. Such decrease was mainly due to a reduction of the funding of social programs and increases in social security benefits to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, primary expenditures decreased to 19.0% of GDP.

National Public Accounts

(in millions of pesos)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Fiscal revenue

          

Current revenue:

          

National Administration taxes(1)

   Ps. 2,209,307     Ps. 2,868,196     Ps. 5,128,525     Ps. 9,152,136       Ps.19,005,560  

Social security tax(1)

     1,224,439       1,533,019       2,382,291       4,274,215       9,619,766  

Net operating result from state-owned enterprises

     (84,725     (142,481     (363,735     (626,597     (1,204,295

Other non-tax revenue(2)

     383,686       344,730       1,355,145       1,683,248       3,694,126  

Capital revenue(3)

     119,642       95,509       14,180       40,023       725  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fiscal revenues(4)

   Ps. 3,852,349     Ps. 4,698,974     Ps. 8,516,405     Ps. 14,523,025     Ps. 31,115,882  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Primary expenditures(5)

          

Current expenditures:

          

National Administration wages

     536,937       696,030       1,078,560       1,987,026       5,037,827  

Goods and services

     168,399       216,761       461,544       624,903       1,326,892  

Social security(6)

     1,866,686       2,613,832       3,709,542       6,288,154       12,914,190  

Transfers to provinces

     130,846       363,729       418,836       637,042       1,641,762  

Other transfers(7)

     994,296       2,267,478       3,144,573       5,278,593       12,211,854  

Other expenditures

     13,944       11,475       32,531       34,644       77,640  

Capital expenditures

     236,362       279,626       651,058       1,332,412       3,070,354  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total primary expenditures

     3.947,470       6,448,931       9,496,646       16,182,773       36,280,518  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Primary fiscal balance

   Ps. (95,122   Ps. (1,749,957   Ps. (980,240   Ps. (1,659,748   Ps. (5,164,637

Interest payments(8)

     724,285       542,873       684,241       1,493,009       3,253,832  

Privatization proceeds

     —        —        —        —        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Overall balance of non-financial public sector(9)

   Ps. (819,407   Ps. (2,292,831   Ps. (1,664,482   Ps .(3,152,757   Ps. (8,418,468
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Data set forth in this table differs from the data presented in the tables titled “Composition of Tax Revenues” because it excludes revenues (and transfers) co-participated with the provinces and because it is published after the data set forth in the “Composition of Tax Revenues” table and thus reflects updated information.

(2)

Excludes transfers from the Central Bank and the FGS and includes sale of goods and services of the public administration, operational revenues, current transfers and other transfers.

(3)

Excludes revenues from privatization.

(4)

Includes pension contributions mandated by the Argentine Integrated Pension System.

(5)

The Government discharges certain of its payment obligations (e.g., with suppliers) by issuing bonds known as Bocones. Bocones constitute bonds to be paid in the future rather than cash payments, and were not recorded as primary expenditures in the periods presented in this table or reflected as part of the overall balance of the non-financial public sector. The amount of Bocones issued in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 was Ps.2.0 billion, Ps.10.4 billion, Ps.3.9 billion and Ps.1.6 billion, respectively. No Bocones were issued in 2023.

(6)

Amounts presented under “Social security” in this table are calculated on a cash basis and therefore differ from the data presented in the table entitled “Composition of National Public Expenditures,” which are calculated using the accrual method of accounting and correspond to the National Administration.

 

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(7)

Includes transfers to the private sector (including subsidies), to the public sector (e.g., transfers to universities), under the Heads of Households Program and to state-owned companies.

(8)

Excludes intra-public sector interest payments and includes interest payments on bonds issued pursuant to the 2005 Debt Exchange and the 2010 Debt Exchange.

(9)

The overall balance of the non-financial public sector equals the primary fiscal balance minus interest payments.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

National Public Accounts

(% of Nominal GDP)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Fiscal revenue

          

Current revenue:

          

National Administration taxes(1)

     10.2     10.5     11.1     11.1     9.9

Social security tax(1)

     5.7       5.6       5.2       5.2       5.0  

Net operating result from state-owned enterprises

     (0.4     (0.5     (0.8     (0.8     (0.6

Other non-tax revenue(2)

     1.8       1.3       2.9       2.0       1.9

Capital revenue(3)

     0.6       0.4       —        —        —   

Total fiscal revenues(4)

     17.9       17.3       18.4       17.6       16.3  

Primary expenditures(5)

          

Current expenditures:

          

National Administration wages

     2.5       2.6       2.3       2.4       2.6  

Goods and services

     0.8       0.8       1.0       0.8       0.7  

Social security(6)

     8.7       9.6       8.0       7.6       6.7  

Transfers to provinces

     0.6       1.3       0.9       0.8       0.9  

Other transfers(7)

     4.6       8.3       6.8       6.4       6.4  

Other expenditures

     0.1       —        0.1       —        —   

Capital expenditures

     1.1       1.0       1.4       1.6       1.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total primary expenditures

     18.3       23.7       20.5       19.6       19.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Primary fiscal balance

     (0.4     (6.4 )     (2.1     (2.0 )      (2.7

Interest payments(8)

     3.4       2.0       1.5       1.8       1.7  

Privatization proceeds

     —        —        —        —        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Overall balance of non-financial public sector(9)

     (3.8 )%      (8.4 )%      (3.6 )%      (3.8 )%      (4.4 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Data set forth in this table differs from the data presented in the tables titled “Composition of Tax Revenues” because it excludes revenues (and transfers) co-participated with the provinces and because it is published after the data set forth in the “Composition of Tax Revenues” tables and thus reflects updated information.

(2)

Excludes transfers from the Central Bank and the FGS and includes sale of goods and services of the public administration, operational revenues, current transfers and other transfers.

(3)

Excludes revenues from privatization.

(4)

Includes pension contributions mandated by the Argentine Integrated Pension System.

(5)

The Government discharges certain of its payment obligations (e.g., with suppliers) by issuing bonds known as Bocones. Bocones constitute bonds to be paid in the future rather than cash payments, and were not recorded as primary expenditures in the periods presented in this table or reflected as part of the overall balance of the non-financial public sector. The amount of Bocones issued in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 was Ps.2.0 billion, Ps 10.4 billion, Ps.3.9 billion and Ps.1.6 billion, respectively. No Bocones were issued in 2023.

(6)

Amounts presented under “Social security” in this table are calculated on a cash basis and therefore differ from the data presented in the table entitled “Composition of National Public Expenditures,” which are calculated using the accrual method of accounting and correspond to the National Administration.

(7)

Includes transfers to the private sector (including subsidies), to public sector entities (e.g., transfers to universities), to the Heads of Households Program and to state-owned companies.

(8)

Excludes intra-public sector interest payments Includes interest payments on bonds issued pursuant to the 2005 Debt Exchange and the 2010 Debt Exchange.

(9)

The overall balance of the non-financial public sector equals the primary fiscal balance minus interest payments.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

 

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Fiscal Result of 2019 Compared to Fiscal Results of 2018

Primary fiscal balance. The primary fiscal deficit recorded for 2019 was Ps.95.1 billion, compared to a deficit of Ps.339.0 billion for 2018. Total revenues increased by 52.3% in 2019, while primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) increased by 37.6%.

Fiscal revenues. In 2019, fiscal revenues increased by 52.3% to Ps.3,852.3 billion from Ps.2,529.6 billion in 2018. This increase was mainly driven by an increase in revenues generated by VAT, imports and exports taxes and social security taxes.

Primary expenditures. In 2019, primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) of the Government increased by 37.6% to Ps.3,947.5 billion in 2019 from Ps.2,868.6 billion in 2018. This increase was mainly due to the following factors:

 

   

social security outlays, which accounted for approximately 53.3% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 44.5%, from Ps.1,291.7 billion in 2018 to Ps.1,866.7 billion in 2019, mainly as a result of increases in pension payments provided by law;

 

   

other transfers (including external sector transfers, private sector subsidies and transfers to autonomous public entities such as universities), which accounted for approximately 23.7% of the overall increase, increased by 34.6%, from Ps.738.5 billion in 2018 to Ps.994.3 billion in 2019. This increase was mainly due to an increase in outlays to social security payments, particularly through the Universal Child Allowance and Universal Pregnancy Allowances;

 

   

national administration wages, which accounted for approximately 12.6% of the total increase, increased by 34.0% from Ps.400.8 billion in 2018 to Ps.536.9 billion in 2019; and

 

   

capital expenditures, increased from Ps.210.3 billion in 2018 to Ps.236.4 billion in 2019.

Overall fiscal balance. The overall fiscal balance of the Government recorded a deficit of Ps.819.4 billion in 2019, compared to a deficit of Ps.727.9 billion in 2018.

Fiscal Result of 2020 Compared to Fiscal Results of 2019

Primary fiscal balance. The primary fiscal deficit recorded for 2020 was Ps.1,749.9 billion, compared to a deficit of Ps.95.1 billion for 2019. Total revenues increased by 22.0% in 2020, while primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) increased by 63.4%, reflecting the measures adopted by the Government to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. See “The Argentine Economy—Measures Designed to Address the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Fiscal revenues. In 2020, fiscal revenues increased by 22.0% to Ps.4,698.9 billion from Ps.3,852.3 billion in 2019. The increase in revenues generated by VAT, imports and exports taxes and social security taxes evidences the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on economic activities.

Primary expenditures. In 2020, primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) of the Government increased by 63.4% to Ps.6,448.9 billion in 2020 from Ps.3,947.5 billion in 2019. This increase was mainly due to the following factors:

 

   

other transfers (including external sector transfers, private sector subsidies and transfers to autonomous public entities such as universities), which accounted for approximately 50.9% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 128.0%, from Ps.994.3 billion in 2019 to Ps.2,267.5 billion in 2020. This increase was mainly due to an increase in outlays to social security payments, particularly through the Universal Child Allowance, Universal Pregnancy Allowances, Emergency Family Income and Programa de Asistencia al Trabajo y la Producción (Assistance Program for Work and Production), to mitigate the economic effects of the measures deployed by the Government to prevent the spread of COVID-19;

 

   

social security outlays, which accounted for approximately 29.9% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 40.0%, from Ps.1,866.7 billion in 2019 to Ps.2,613.8 billion in 2020, mainly as a result of increases in pension payments mandated by law;

 

   

national administration wages, which accounted for approximately 6.4% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 29.6% from Ps.536.9 billion in 2019 to Ps.696.0 billion in 2020; and

 

   

capital expenditures, increased from Ps.236.4 billion in 2019 to Ps.279.6 billion in 2020.

Overall fiscal balance. The overall fiscal balance of the Government recorded a deficit of Ps.2,292.8 billion in 2020, compared to a deficit of Ps.819.4 billion in 2019.

 

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Fiscal Result of 2021 Compared to Fiscal Results of 2020

Primary fiscal balance. The primary fiscal deficit recorded for 2021 was Ps.980.2 billion, compared to a deficit of Ps.1,749.9 billion for 2020. Total revenues increased by 81.2% in 2021, while primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) increased by 47.3%.

Fiscal revenues. In 2021, fiscal revenues increased by 81.2% to Ps.8,516.4 billion from Ps.4,698.9 billion in 2020. The increase was mainly due to an increase in revenues generated by (i) VAT, imports and exports taxes and social security taxes, (ii) the tax modifications introduced by the Solidarity Law (see “—Tax Regime—Tax Modifications Introduced by the Solidarity Law”), (iii) a U.S.$439.0 billion extraordinary allocation of special-drawing rights by the IMF, mainly to mitigate the impact of the global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and (iv) the enactment of Law No.27,605, which created a solidary and extraordinary contribution by higher income sectors levied on the assets of individuals and undivided estates.

Primary expenditures. In 2021, primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) of the Government increased by 47.3% to Ps.9,496.6 billion in 2021 from Ps.6,448.9 billion in 2020. This increase was mainly due to the following factors:

 

   

social security outlays, which accounted for approximately 36.0% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 41.9%, from Ps.2,613.8 billion in 2020 to Ps.3,709.5 billion in 2021, mainly as a result of increases in pension payments mandated by law;

 

   

national administration wages, which accounted for approximately 12.6% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 55.0% from Ps.696.0 billion in 2020 to Ps.1,078.5 billion in 2021;

 

   

other transfers (including external sector transfers, private sector subsidies and transfers to autonomous public entities such as universities), which accounted for approximately 28.8% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 38.7%, from Ps.2,267.5 billion in 2020 to Ps.3,144.5 billion in 2021. This increase was mainly due to an increase in outlays to social security payments to mitigate the economic effects of the measures deployed by the Government to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including:

 

   

extraordinary social security payments made during May, April, August and December to beneficiaries of lower income pensions and retirement benefits, to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic;

 

   

distribution of Ps.90.9 billion in food cards within the framework of the national food emergence, which has been extended until December 31, 2022;

 

   

payment of an extraordinary Ps.15,000 subsidy to Universal Child Allowance beneficiaries and single-taxpayers that are beneficiaries of family allowances, as well as a supplemental monthly payment to Universal Child Allowance beneficiaries of lower income;

 

   

disbursements for Ps.149.4 billion under the Plan Potenciar Trabajo (Plan to Boost Employment), to encourage employment and new productive projects; and

 

   

capital expenditures, increased from Ps.279.6 billion in 2020 to Ps.651.0 billion in 2021.

Overall fiscal balance. The overall fiscal balance of the Government recorded a deficit of Ps.1,664.4 billion in 2021, compared to a deficit of Ps.2,292.8 billion in 2020.

Fiscal Result of 2022 Compared to Fiscal Results of 2021

Primary fiscal balance. The primary fiscal deficit recorded for 2022 was Ps.1,659.7 billion, compared to a deficit of Ps.980.2 billion for 2021. Total revenues increased by 70.5% in 2022, while primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) increased by 70.4%.

Fiscal revenues. In 2022, fiscal revenues increased by 70.5% to Ps.14,523.0 billion from Ps.8,516.4 billion in 2021. The increase was mainly due to an increase in revenues generated by VAT, imports and exports taxes and social security taxes.

Primary expenditures. In 2022, primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) of the Government increased by 70.4% to Ps.16,182.7 billion in 2022 from Ps.9,496.6 billion in 2021. This increase was mainly due to the following factors:

 

   

social security outlays, which accounted for approximately 38.6% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 69.5%, from Ps.3,709.5 billion in 2021 to Ps.6,288.2 billion in 2022, mainly as a result of increases in pension payments mandated by law and extraordinary social security payments made during April, May, August, and December 2022, aimed at providing greater protection to vulnerable groups. The Government announced additional payments for Ps.6,000 and Ps.12,000 to beneficiaries of lower income pensions and retirement benefits in April and May 2022, respectively. Further, the Government announced a monthly increase for lower income pensions;

 

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other transfers (including external sector transfers, private sector subsidies and transfers to autonomous public entities such as universities), which accounted for approximately 31.9% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 67.9%, from Ps.3,144.5 billion in 2021 to Ps.5,278.6 billion in 2022. This increase was mainly due to (i) financial assistance granted to CAMMESA and ENARSA for the execution of energy policies; (ii) an increase in family allowances mainly as a result of a new mobility index; (iii) additional support for retirees, pensioners and vulnerable groups to mitigate the effects of the worsening of their financial capacity; (iv) compensations for the loss of purchasing power of income; (v) transfers to national universities, mainly for salary payments and operating expenses; and (vi) further allocation of assets for the Plan Potenciar Trabajo (Plan to Boost Employment);

 

   

national administration wages, which accounted for approximately 13.6% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 84.2% from Ps.1,078.5 billion in 2021 to Ps.1,987.0 billion in 2022; and

 

   

capital expenditures, increased from Ps.651.0 billion in 2021 to Ps.1,332.4 billion in 2022.

Overall fiscal balance. The overall fiscal balance of the Government recorded a deficit of Ps.3,152.7 billion in 2022, compared to a deficit of Ps.1,664.4 billion in 2021.

Fiscal Result of 2023 Compared to Fiscal Results of 2022

Primary fiscal balance. The primary fiscal deficit recorded for 2023 was Ps.5,164.6 billion, compared to a deficit of Ps.1,659.7 billion for 2022. Total revenues increased by 114.3% in 2023, while primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) increased by 124.2%.

Fiscal revenues. In 2023, fiscal revenues increased by 114.4% to Ps.31,115.8 billion from Ps.14,523.0 billion in 2022. The increase was mainly due to an increase in revenues generated by VAT, income tax, import taxes and social security taxes.

Primary expenditures. In 2023, primary expenditures (excluding interest payments) of the Government increased by 124.2% to Ps.36,280.5 billion in 2023 from Ps.16,182.7 billion in 2022. This increase was mainly due to the following factors:

 

   

social security outlays, which accounted for approximately 33.0% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 105.4%, from Ps.6,288.2 billion in 2022 to Ps.12,914.1 billion in 2023, mainly as a result of increases in pension payments mandated by law;

 

   

other transfers (including external sector transfers, private sector subsidies and transfers to autonomous public entities such as universities), which accounted for approximately 34.5% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 131.3%, from Ps.5,278.6 billion in 2022 to Ps.12,211.8 billion in 2023. This increase was mainly due to (i) financial assistance granted to CAMMESA and ENARSA for the execution of energy policies; (ii) an increase in family allowances mainly as a result of a new mobility index; (iii) additional support for retirees, pensioners and vulnerable groups to mitigate the effects of the worsening of their financial capacity; (iv) compensations for the loss of purchasing power of income; (v) transfers to national universities, mainly for salary payments and operating expenses; and (vi) further allocation of assets for the Plan Potenciar Trabajo (Plan to Boost Employment);

 

   

national administration wages, which accounted for approximately 15.2% of the overall increase in expenditures, increased by 153.5% from Ps.1,987.0 billion in 2022 to Ps.5,037.8 billion in 2023; and

 

   

capital expenditures, increased from Ps.1,332.4 billion in 2022 to Ps.3,070.3 billion in 2023.

Overall fiscal balance. The overall fiscal balance of the Government recorded a deficit of Ps.8,418.4 billion in 2023, compared to a deficit of Ps.3,152.7 billion in 2022.

Tax Regime

Overview

In Argentina, the legal authority to impose taxes is shared by Congress, the provincial legislatures and, within certain limits, the municipalities.

 

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Federal taxes must be authorized by an act of Congress, although the executive branch is empowered to issue regulations and decrees necessary to implement congressional legislation. Argentina does not have a federal revenue code; instead, separate laws, which are amended frequently, govern different categories of taxes. The Ministry of Economy is responsible for the collection of federal fiscal revenues. The Ministry of Economy carries out this task mainly through the AFIP.

Data set forth in this section differs from the data presented in “—National Public Accounts” section because this data includes revenues (and transfers) “co-participated” with the provinces. See “—Fiscal Relations with the Provinces.”

Composition of Tax Revenues

The Government levies the following taxes:

 

   

VAT on goods and services;

 

   

income taxes;

 

   

social security taxes;

 

   

taxes on foreign trade;

 

   

taxes on capital;

 

   

taxes on fuel; and

 

   

other taxes on goods and services (such as consumption taxes, taxes on financial transactions.

In 2020, the Government levied an extraordinary net worth tax (Impuesto PAÍS) that targeted high net worth individuals. See “—Tax Modifications Introduced by the Solidarity Law.”

Traditionally, the Government derived most of its revenue from VAT, social security contributions and income taxes.

Tax revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 totaled Ps.43,604.8 billion, an increase of 115.4% as compared to 2022. The increase was primarily the result of:

 

   

increases in nominal wages of the public and private sectors;

 

   

increases in prices of products and services;

 

   

increases in collection of foreign trade taxes, export and import duties in connection with an increase in the nominal exchange rate, and the effects of the Programa de Incremento Exportador (Export Growth Program); and

 

   

the levying of the Impuesto PAÍS.

During 2023:

 

   

revenues from taxes on financial transactions increased by 134.2%, mainly as a result of a nominal increase in banking transactions;

 

   

VAT revenues increased by 153.7%, mainly due to the variation in consumption at current prices and an increase in exchange rates;

 

   

social security taxes increased by 124.4%, mainly due to an increase in taxable wages (in nominal terms) and the increase in the number of formal employees;

 

   

income tax revenues increased by 86.3%, primarily due to larger (in nominal terms) income tax advances and payments made by companies and individuals, tax collections on financial income and an increase in tax revenues driven by a revaluation of taxable assets and an increase in the number of transactions covered by the withholdings and perceptions regime affected by an increase in activity and prices;

 

   

capital tax revenues increased by 133.7%, mainly due to an increase in personal assets;

 

   

revenues from international trade and transactions increased by 67.7% compared to 2022;

 

   

import duty revenues increased by 110.2%, mainly driven by an increase in the nominal exchange rate, which was partially offset by a decrease in the volume of imports; and

 

   

export duty revenues decreased by 6.3%, mainly due to a decrease in exports of soybean products caused by the severe drought that affected the 2022/2023 harvest season.

 

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The year-on-year increase in tax revenues and social security contributions was mainly due to an increase in prices, exchange rates, wages and levels of activity.

The following tables set forth the composition of the Government’s tax revenues for the periods specified.

Composition of Tax Revenues

(in millions of pesos)

 

     2019     2020     2021(3)     2022(3)     2023  

VAT

   Ps. 1,532,597     Ps. 1,905,385     Ps. 3,243,608     Ps. 5,831,330     Ps. 14,791,510  

Tax on Financial Transactions

     349,559       452,459       750,414       1,343,374       3,146,166  

Social security taxes(1)

     1,225,664       1,548,052       2,398,126       4,331,972       9,723,087  

Taxes on income

     1,096,521       1,467,303       2,346,646       4,715,417       8,782,659  

Corporate income tax

     587,272       755,545       1,151,650       2,397,764       4,217,719  

Personal income tax

     429,882       632,275       999,343       2,071,777       4,098,567  

Other

     79,367       79,483       195,653       245,876       466,374  

Import and export taxes

     570,669       725,832       1,450,171       2,659,040       4,460,819  

Taxes on capital

     32,383       209,929       283,469       428,916       1,002,323  

Taxes on fuel

     161,666       195,659       356,273       431,487       526,432  

Other taxes on goods and services

     136,602       215,293       335,975       538,469       1,258,254  

Other

     26,026       38,429       42,114       70,465       147,497  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax regularization

     (1,070     6,215       5,262       18,284       46,176  

Other

     27,095       32,214       36,852       52,181       101,321  

Gross tax revenues(2)

     5,131,687       6,758,283       11,207,075       20,351,369       43,838,748  
    

 

 

   

 

 

     

Tax refunds

     (29,270     (32,182     (65,950     (109,970     (233,950
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net tax revenues

   Ps. 5,102,417     Ps. 6,726,101     Ps. 11,141,125     Ps. 20,241,399     Ps.  43,604,798
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Include pension contributions resulting from the Argentine Integrated Pension System.

(2)

Gross tax revenues include certain tax revenues that are collected in a given year and later refunded, such as VAT and income tax, which are refundable in certain circumstances. These refunds are deducted from gross tax revenues to calculate net tax revenues.

(3)

Preliminary data.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Composition of Tax Revenues

(% of total Government fiscal revenues)

 

     2019     2020     2021(3)     2022(3)     2023  

VAT

     30.0     28.3     29.1     28.8     33.9

Tax on Financial Transaction

     6.9       6.7       6.7       6.6       7.2  

Social security taxes(1)

     24.0       23.0       21.5       21.4       22.3  

Taxes on income

     21.5       21.8       21.1       23.3       20.1  

Corporate income tax

     11.5       11.2       10.3       11.8       9.7  

Personal income tax

     8.4       9.4       9.0       10.2       9.4  

Other

     1.6       1.2       1.8       1.2       1.1  

Import and export taxes

     11.2       10.8       13.0       13.1       10.2  

Taxes on capital

     0.6       3.1       2.5       2.1       2.3  

Taxes on fuel

     3.2       2.9       3.2       2.1       1.2  

Other taxes on goods and services

     2.7       3.2       3.0       2.7       2.9  

Other

     0.5       0.6       0.4       0.3       0.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tax regularization

     —        0.1       —        0.1       0.1  

Other

     0.5       0.5       0.3       0.3       0.2  

Gross tax revenues (2)

     100.6       100.5       100.6       100.5       100.5  

Tax refunds

     (0.6     (0.5     (0.6     (0.5     (0.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net tax revenues

     100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0      100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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(1)

Include pension contributions resulting from the Argentine Integrated Pension System.

(2)

Gross tax revenues include certain tax revenues that are collected in a given year and later refunded, such as VAT and income tax, which are refundable in certain circumstances. These refunds are deducted from gross tax revenues to calculate net tax revenues.

(3)

Preliminary data.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

The information below is a brief description of the principal taxes levied by the Government as of December 2023 except for social security taxes. For a description of social security taxes see “—Social Security.”

Value Added Tax

VAT is levied on sales of goods and services within Argentina, and the rendering of services abroad when the effective use of those services takes place in Argentina and the provider of the service is registered as a VAT taxable person. VAT is also applied on imports of consumer products and on digital services with effective use in the Republic.

As of December 31, 2023, the general VAT rate was 21.0%. An increased rate of 27.0% applies to the provision of gas, electricity, water, sewage and telecommunications services for non-residential purposes. A reduced rate of 10.5% applies in certain cases, including housing projects, the sale of livestock and other agricultural products, the sale of capital goods and certain financial revenues and expenses.

 

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Between September 18, 2023 and December 31, 2023, the Government implemented the Compre Sin IVA (Buy Without VAT) program, which provided for the refund of 21% of the VAT on purchases of products belonging to the essential food basket in an amount of up to Ps.18,800 per month per person. The program was aimed at alleviating the tax burden on consumers of essential products, contributing to the improvement of their purchasing power and facilitating the access to basic goods. The program was available for retirees, beneficiaries of the Universal Child Allowance, single taxpayers, employees with an income of up to six minimum salaries, and domestic workers within the Régimen del Personal de Casas Particulares (Private Household Personnel Regime).

 

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The Government also levies certain taxes on the consumption of certain goods and services. The following table sets forth a sample of the tax rates applicable to certain products.

Composition of Taxes on Goods and Services

 

Product

   Rate
(%)
 

Goods

  

Tobacco products

     20-70  

Alcoholic beverages

     8–26  

Non-alcoholic beverages (including extracts, concentrates and mineral water)

     4–10  

Luxury items

     20  

Recreational sporting equipment (including private planes and yachts)

     0–20  

Electronic products

     9.5-19  

Cars, engines and motorcycles

     0–35  

Services

  

Insurances

     0.1–23  

Satellite and Cell phones (mobile phones)

     5  

 

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Taxes on Financial Transactions

The tax on financial transactions was introduced in 2001 as an exceptional measure and has become an important source of revenue for the Government. The tax is levied on the full amount of most financial transactions, with certain limited exemptions. The standard tax rate is 0.6% for credits and debits from checking accounts, 1.2% for transfers of funds and other cash transfers, and between 0.25% and 0.5% for credits and debits for certain operations and companies. The tax on financial transactions was originally scheduled to expire in December 2002, but Congress extended the expiration date on several consecutive occasions and it is still effective as of the date of this Annual Report.

Taxes on Income, Utilities and Capital Gains

Argentine residents and corporations domiciled in Argentina are subject to income tax on their worldwide income. Nonresidents are subject to income tax on Argentine sourced income.

The income of national, provincial or local authorities, as well as non-profit organizations (including cooperatives, religious institutions and foundations), is exempt from income tax. The Government has exempted or created special incentives (in the form of tax breaks) for projects carried out in certain locations, such as Tierra del Fuego, and for certain economic activities, such as public transportation and garbage collection.

 

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There are two main categories of taxes on income in Argentina:

 

   

Impuesto a las ganancias (income tax)

 

   

Individuals that are Argentine residents for income tax purposes are taxed on their worldwide income at progressive rate according to a scale that ranges from 5% to 35%.

 

   

Individuals that are Argentine residents whose net income includes foreign sources arising from the sale of shares, certificates of deposit of shares, quotas and social participations (including shares of mutual funds and certificates of participation of trusts and any other right over trusts and similar contracts), digital currencies, bonds and other securities, as well as from the sale of real estate or transfer of rights over real estate, are taxed on those assets at a rate of 15%.

 

   

Individuals and undivided estates are taxed on (i) dividends and remittances at a tax rate of 7%, (ii) gains realized on real estate sales involving property acquired on or after January 1, 2018 at a rate of 15%, and (iii) net gains derived from trade of securities and digital currencies at a tax rate that ranges from 5% to 15%.

 

   

Non-resident individuals and entities are taxed on Argentine-sourced income (including income that is presumed to be Argentine sourced) at a rate of 35%.

 

   

Corporations and other business entities are taxed on their worldwide net income at progressive rate according to the following scale:

 

Accumulated taxable net income

               

From

   To      Fixed amount payable      Additional percentage
per step of the scale (1)
 

Ps. 0

   Ps. 14,301,209.21      Ps. 0        25

Ps.14,301,209.21

     143,012,092.08        3,575,302.30        30  

Ps. 143,012,092.08

     Onwards      Ps. 42,188,567.16        35

 

 

(1)

The additional percentage per step of the scale applies to the differential between the income earned by a corporation and the floor of the applicable step. For example, a corporation earning Ps.100,000,000 is required to pay income tax in an amount equal to Ps.3,575,302.2, plus 30% of Ps.85,698,790.79 (i.e., the difference between Ps.100,000,000 and 14,301,209.21).

 

   

Branches of a foreign companies are also subject to an additional tax at a rate of 7% at the time of remittance of profits to their parent company.

For changes in income tax introduced in December 2019, see “—Tax Modifications Introduced by the Solidarity Law.”

 

   

Emergency tax on lotteries and gaming proceeds. The rate of this tax is 31% and it is levied on 90% of the net amount of gains from lotteries and games.

On September 12, 2024, the Government issued Decree No. 473/2023, which provided that, for the second semester of 2023, individuals earning a monthly salary below the equivalent of 15 minimum wages would not subject to income tax.

 

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Taxes on Foreign Trade

Taxes on foreign trade consist of export and import duties.

Import duties are levied on goods and services imported into Argentina for consumption. They are assessed either ad valorem (i.e., on the actual value of the good or service) or per unit (expressed as a fixed amount per unit), or a combination of both.

The following import duties and their respective rates apply:

 

   

Intra-zone Import Duties: a 0% import duty rate is levied on imports of consumption goods coming from and originating in Mercosur member countries, except for sugar and related products, which are subject to a 20% import duty.

 

   

Common External Tariff: an import duty rate ranging from 0% to 35% is levied on imports of consumer goods originated in non-Mercosur countries but imported into Argentina from another Mercosur member country.

 

   

Extra-Zone Import Duties: the import duty rate levied on consumer goods originating in and coming from non-Mercosur countries is the applicable rate set forth in the Common External Tariff, except for certain products included in exempted lists provided by each of the Mercosur members.

Export duties became an important source of revenue for the Government beginning in 2003, primarily as a result of the high international prices for commodities and the depreciation of the peso, which during the initial years following the devaluation in 2002 increased the competitiveness and value of Argentina’s U.S. dollar exports in pesos. Domestic inflation and the real appreciation of the peso over time eroded the competitiveness of Argentine exports. In 2021, the Government announced a series of measures aimed at adjusting export duties to boost exports of goods and services, including (i) the elimination of export duties for incremental exports by MSMEs, (ii) a reduction in export duties on vehicles and automobile parts, (iii) a reduction in export duties for regional products such as fruit juices, peanuts, oats, flax, rye, sunflower and wool products, and (iv) the reduction in export duties on gold and mineral fuels from 12% to 8%.

On September 5, 2022, the Government created the Programa de Incremento Exportador (Export Growth Program) for those that exported soybean goods during the 18 months prior to November 28, 2022, granting them an exchange rate of Ps.230 per U.S. dollar. On December 13, 2023, the Government expanded the Export Growth Program, mandating that 80% of export revenues must either be repatriated in foreign currency or traded through the Mercado Único y Libre de Cambio (the “MULC”). The remaining 20% must be handled through the trading of negotiable securities, acquired in foreign currency and sold in local currency. This measure aims to optimize the inflow of foreign currency into the country while regulating its flow within the local market.

Export duties tax the export of consumer goods. Services rendered in the country, whose use or effective exploitation is carried out abroad, are also considered goods subject to export taxes.

Set forth below are certain export duty rates in effect as of December 31, 2023.

 

   

exports of crude oil and fuels:

 

   

if the international price per barrel of crude oil and fuel is less than or equal to U.S.$45.0, the applicable export duty is 0%;

 

   

if the international price per barrel of crude oil and fuel is higher than or equal to U.S.$60.0, the applicable export duty is 8%; and

 

   

if the international price per barrel of crude oil and fuel is higher than U.S.$45.0 and lower than U.S.$60.0, the export duty is calculated according to the following formula:

 

LOGO

Where D is export duty, PI is international price, VB is the base value (equal to U.S.$45.0) and VR is the reference value (equal to U.S.$60.0).

 

   

export duties ranging from 3% to 8% on exports of mining sector products;

 

   

export duties ranging from 0% to 4.5% on exports of industrial products;

 

   

export duties ranging from 0% to 12% on exports of products of agro-industrial origin and basic industrial inputs from regional economies;

 

   

export duties ranging from 4.5% to 33% on exports of soy and its derivatives;

 

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export duties ranging from 0% to 9% on exports of products from the fishing sector for final consumption that are elaborated entirely in the national territory; and

 

   

export duties of 4.5% on exports of copper and its alloys.

Exports by MSMEs are subject to certain tax relief and reduction in duties, provided that such exports:

 

   

are included in the common nomenclature of Mercosur;

 

   

do not exceed U.S.$0.5 million in value,

 

   

relate to operations carried out by MSMEs on their own account; and

 

   

are carried out by MSMEs that do not exceed U.S.$3 million in exports during the immediately preceding or current calendar year.

In addition, companies that export between U.S.$0.5 million and U.S.$1 million per year for their own account are granted a 50% reduction in export duties.

Import and export duties revenues increased by 67.7%, from Ps.2,659 billion in 2022 to Ps.4,461 billion in 2023.

Export duty revenues decreased by 6.3% in 2023 as compared to 2022, mainly due to lower exports caused by the severe drought that affected the 2022/2023 harvest season.

Import duty revenues increased by 110.2% in 2023 compared to 2022, mainly due to an increase in the nominal exchange rate that was partially offset by a decrease in imports.

Taxes on Net Worth

Taxes on net worth include taxes on the value of personal assets owned by individuals, taxes on the net worth of credit unions and a tax on the sales of real estate. In the aggregate, taxes on capital accounted for less than 2.3% of the Government’s overall tax revenues in 2023.

Non-residents and foreign undivided estates are taxed on assets located in Argentina at a rate of 0.5%. Argentine residents are taxed at progressive rates ranging between 0.5% and 1.75% (increased to 2.25% on assets held abroad). See “—Tax Modifications Introduced by the Solidarity Law—Taxes on Capital.”

Taxes on Fuels

The Government levies taxes on the sale of various fuels, including liquid fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, and compressed natural gas. Through 2023, the tax on the sale of liquid fuels was generally levied on importers, refineries and distributors. Taxes on the sale of fuels are assessed per unit (expressed as a fixed amount per liter of liquid fuels, updated quarterly and published by AFIP on its website based on the National CPI variations published by INDEC).

Taxes on Mobile Phones

Since 2010, the Government has collected a tax on mobile phones, which is recorded as “other taxes.” This tax is equal to 1% of customer payments to cell phone companies (net of VAT). In December 2017, the Government enacted legislation increasing the tax on mobile phones to 5% of customer payments to cell phone companies (net of VAT).

Tax Enforcement

Recent initiatives introduced by the Government to improve tax collections include the following:

Double taxation and tax cooperation agreements

Argentina has signed cooperation agreements with numerous countries (including in recent years Brazil (2017), Panama (2017), Morocco (2018), Canada (2018) and United States (2022)) to promote international cooperation in tax matters through the exchange of information and increase the transparency of cross-border commercial transactions. These agreements provide for the sharing of tax information in documentary form and, in certain circumstances, allow representatives of a country’s competent authority to conduct interviews and examine records in the territory of a counterparty. In other cases, these agreements provide for mutual assistance in customs procedures.

 

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Argentina is also a party to the 1988 Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters and to the 2014 Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement promoted by the OECD. In 2018, Argentina entered into a memorandum of understanding with the OECD establishing the OECD Latin America Academy for Tax and Financial Crime Investigation, which intends to promote a global approach to the treatment of tax evasion to tackle tax and financial crimes.

During 2022, the AFIP entered into two memorandums of understanding to authorize the Republic’s participation in the International Compliance Assurance Program (“ICAP”), with the objective of improving cooperation and transparency between multinational entities and the tax administrations of the jurisdictions where their members operate.

On December 5, 2022, the Government signed an agreement with the Government of the United States aimed at improving international tax compliance through mutual assistance in tax matters based on an effective infrastructure for the automatic and reciprocal exchange of information, and on the implementation of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance (FATCA) provisions.

Tax Modifications Introduced by the Solidarity Law

On December 27, 2017, the Argentine Congress approved a tax reform (the “2017 Tax Reform”), which was intended to eliminate certain loopholes and inefficiencies of the Argentine tax regime, diminish evasion, increase the coverage of income tax as applied to individuals and encourage investment while sustaining Argentina’s medium and long term efforts aimed at restoring fiscal balance.

The lack of economic growth, however, since the changes introduced by the 2017 Tax Reform, resulted in the Republic’s tax revenues falling as a percentage of GDP. In December 2019, the Argentine Congress enacted the Solidarity Law, to improve the fiscal balance in the short term through a series of tax and non-tax measures.

The main amendments to the Argentine tax system introduced by the Solidarity Law are:

Employers’ Contributions to the Social Security System

The Solidarity Law froze the reduction of the average effective rate payed by employers established for the year 2020 under the 2017 Tax Reform and further increases in the non-taxable amount, but provided that companies with less than 25 registered workers may deduct an additional amount of $10,000. In addition, to encourage companies to increase salaries, the Solidarity Law authorized the Government to grant temporary exemptions from the payment of fees and social security contributions on salary increases.

Adjustments for Inflation

The 2017 Tax Reform, as modified in 2018, contemplated a transitional regime regarding the determination of income where such determination results from restatement of financial statements to take account of the effect of inflation.

To further mitigate the fiscal impact that the comprehensive inflation adjustment would have in 2020, the Solidarity Law extended the transitional regime by 72 months.

Taxes on Capital

The Solidarity Law reverted to the rates of 2015, although it maintained the non-taxable bases (which give greater progressiveness to the tax) and entitled the Government to increase by up to 100% the rate applicable to assets held outside of Argentina, subject to certain exceptions resulting from the repatriation of a portion of those assets.

In addition, the Solidarity Law exempted interests derived from certain peso-denominated deposits and financial assets.

Tax for an Inclusive and Solidary Argentina

The Solidarity Law introduced an extraordinary tax levied on the purchase or exchange of foreign currency for savings, offshore payments related to the acquisition of goods and services and other payments linked to outbound tourism and the consumption of goods and services provided in Argentina by non-residents, except for the acquisition of medicines, health-related benefits, books, the use of educational platforms and expenses associated with research projects (the Impuesto PAIS”). The Impuesto PAIS rate was set at 30% of the amount of each transaction, except for the price paid on digital services, which are levied at an 8% tax rate. 70% of the revenues from the Impuesto PAIS are earmarked for the financing of ANSES programs and the remaining 30% to fund economic infrastructure and social housing. In 2020 and 2021, tax collections associated to the Impuesto PAIS amounted to Ps.135.0 billion and Ps.111.4 billion, respectively.

 

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Tax on Bank Debits and Credits and Other Financial Transactions

In order to minimize the use of cash and encourage the formal economy and financial inclusion, the Solidarity Law provided that when cash withdrawals are made, the amount of the bank debit shall be subject to double the applicable rate in force. Individuals and SMEs are not covered by this regulation.

Internal Taxes

Internal taxes cover tobacco, alcoholic beverages, telephone services, luxury goods, automobiles, motorcycles, pleasure boats and airplanes, among others. These taxes were modified with the Solidarity Law to protect domestic production and tax consumption of luxury products. In particular, to increase the progressiveness of internal taxes, the prior 20% single rate system for land motor vehicles, motorcycles, vessels and aircraft was replaced by a system of scales by sales price that will be adjusted quarterly to reflect the evolution of the Internal Wholesale Price Index. In the case of automobiles and motorcycles, scales depend on the value of the automobile or motorcycle.

Corporate Income Tax

The Solidarity Law suspended the reduction of the corporate income tax rate for 2020 established by the 2017 Tax Reform, which was set at 30%.

Income Tax

Workers whose salary does not exceed Ps.175,000 per month are exempt from income tax payments. In the case of retirees, the non-taxable minimum income is eight minimum salaries. See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Finances—Tax Regime—Taxes on Income, Utilities and Capital Gains.”

Income Tax Exemptions on Certain Financial Assets

The Solidarity Law suspended the taxes applicable to capital companies and dividends paid and profit remittances made by permanent establishments for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. Moreover, it increased rates for corporations and permanent establishments to 30%, and reduced rates for distribution of dividends to individuals and undivided estates to 7%.

Moratorium for SMEs

The Solidarity Law empowered the Government to establish a moratorium aimed at allowing SMEs and non-for-profit organizations to comply with their tax obligations.

Composition of Public Expenditures

Public sector expenditures include general administrative expenses, debt service payments, investments in public infrastructure and services, expenditures related to defense and security, administrative expenses of the judiciary and social program expenditures.

The following table sets forth the National Administration’s expenditures for the periods specified, calculated using an accrual method, which records revenues and expenditures in the period in which they are accrued, regardless of the period in which payments are received or made. This method differs from the cash-basis used to calculate national public accounts. See “—Introduction.”

Composition of National Administration’s Expenditures (1)

(% of Nominal GDP)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

General administration

     0.7     1.2     0.8     0.7     0.8

Defense and security

     0.9       0.9       0.9       0.9       0.9  

Justice

     0.4       0.4       0.4       0.4       0.4  

Social programs

     13.1       17.3       15.2       13.8       13.0  

Social security(2)

     10.3       13.3       9.7       9.5       8.8  

Culture, education, science and technology

     1.3       1.4       1.5       1.6       1.7  

Health

     0.8       1.2       1.3       0.8       0.7  

Housing

     0.2       0.4       1.2       0.5       0.4  

 

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     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Social welfare

     0.4       0.9       1.2       1.3       1.3  

Labor

     0.0       0.1       0.2       0.1       0.3  

Public expenditures on economic infrastructure and services

     2.6       3.6       4.3       3.5       3.0  

Public debt service(3)

     4.4       2.3       1.7       1.9       1.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     22.1     25.7     23.3     21.2     19.9
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

The accrued amounts contained in this table do not include amounts budgeted for entities that form part of Argentina’s national non-financial public sector but are not part of the National Administration, such as state-owned enterprises and fiduciary funds. Data also exclude interest accrued on Untendered Debt, substantially all of which has been settled since April, 2016. Untendered Debt has been defined to include only unpaid principal plus accrued and unpaid interest at contractual rates through its originally scheduled maturity, excluding penalty or default interest. The Republic has not offered to pay time-barred claims on principal or interest. See “Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings.”

(2)

Amounts presented under “Social security” in this table differ from the data presented in the table “National Public Accounts” because they were calculated using different methodologies.

(3)

Based on performing debt.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Composition of National Public Expenditures (1)

(% of total Government expenditures)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

General administration

     3.1     4.5     3.6     3.5     4.2

Defense and security

     4.1       3.6       3.8       4.1       4.5  

Justice

     1.7       1.5       1.7       1.9       2.0  

Social programs

     59.4       67.3       65.2       65.1       65.3  

Social security(2)

     46.6       51.6       41.9       44.9       44.2  

Culture, education, science and technology

     6.0       5.6       6.5       7.4       8.8  

Health

     3.6       4.8       5.6       4.0       3.6  

Housing

     1.1       1.7       5.0       2.4       2.0  

Social welfare

     1.9       3.5       5.2       6.0       6.5  

Labor

     0.2       0.2       1.0       0.3       14.9  

Public expenditures on economic infrastructure and services

     12.0       13.9       18.6       16.3       14.9  

Public debt service(3)

     19.7       9.0       7.2       9.1       9.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

The accrued amounts contained in this table do not include amounts budgeted for entities that form part of Argentina’s national non-financial public sector, but are not part of the National Administration, such as state-owned enterprises and fiduciary funds. Data also exclude interest accrued on Untendered Debt, substantially all of which has been settled since April, 2016. Untendered Debt has been defined to include only unpaid principal plus accrued and unpaid interest at contractual rates through its originally scheduled maturity, excluding penalty or default interest. The Republic has not offered to pay time-barred claims on principal or interest. See “Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings.”

(2)

Amounts presented under “Social security” in this table differ from the data presented in the table titled “National Public Accounts” because they were calculated using different methodologies.

(3)

Based on performing debt.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Expenditures on Social Programs

The Government devotes a substantial portion of its revenues to social programs. From 2019 to 2023, social programs expenditures accounted on average for 64.5% of annual National Administration expenditures, of which social security payments alone accounted on average for 45.8%. These social programs include the social security system, cultural goods and services, education, science and technology programs, the health-care system, low-income housing programs, social welfare programs and labor subsidies. In addition, under current legislation, 6% of the consolidated annual budget of the Government, the provinces and the City of Buenos Aires must be allocated to education, science and technology.

 

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In particular, in 2023, social security expenditures increased by 113.2% compared to 2022 and consisted mostly of transfers to the social security system, to beneficiaries of the Plan Potenciar Trabajo (Plan to Boost Employment), and the expansion of the Plan Nacional de la Argentina Contra el Hambre (Argentina’s National Plan Against Hunger).

Public Infrastructure and Services

The main projects in public infrastructure include the following:

 

   

construction of railroads and roads;

 

   

construction and improvements to power lines to transport electricity;

 

   

extension of gas transportation systems for thermoelectric plants;

 

   

construction of water pipelines and drainage; and

 

   

construction of gas pipelines.

For more information see “—Infrastructure Development.”

Public Debt Service

The Government has only recorded interest paid on performing debt. The data discussed below does not include interest accrued on Untendered Debt, a portion of which was settled in April 2016 and in subsequent transactions thereafter. Untendered Debt has been defined to include only unpaid principal plus accrued and unpaid interest at contractual rates through its originally scheduled maturity. Such amounts do not include penalty or default interest. The Republic has not offered to pay time-barred claims on principal or interest. In settling outstanding disputes with holdout creditors, the Government took into consideration interest accrued after the originally scheduled maturity of each defaulted series of securities (other than time-barred interest), as well as default interest. See “Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings.” Interest paid on the debt securities issued since April 2016 (the net proceeds of which were applied in whole or in part to settle claims under Untendered Debt) are reflected under Public Debt Service. In 2019, interest payments as a percentage of total expenditures increased to 19.7%, and increased by 69.2% in nominal terms, mainly due to the effect that the depreciation of the peso vis-à-vis the U.S. dollar on interest payments on Bonares, Discounts, Birads and other foreign currency denominated debt and an increase of payments under the SBA and peso-denominated securities (Botapo and Bonares). In 2020, interest payments as a percentage of total expenditures decreased from 19.7% in 2019 to 9.0% in 2020 and decreased by 32.5% in nominal terms, mainly due to liability management transactions, particularly the 2020 Debt Exchanges. In 2021, interest payments as a percentage of total expenditures decreased from 9.0% in 2020 to 7.2% in 2021 and increased by 22.7% in nominal terms. In 2022, interest payments as a percentage of total expenditures increased from 7.2% in 2021 to 9.1% in 2022 and increased by 106.3% in nominal terms. In 2023, interest payments as a percentage of total expenditures remained stable at 9.1% in 2022 and 2023, and increased by 116.9% in nominal terms. See “Public Sector Debt—Debt Record—2020 Debt Exchanges.”

Defense and Security

Government expenditures in defense and security represented 4.1% of total expenditures in 2019, 3.6% of total expenditures in 2020, 3.8% of total expenditures in 2021, 4.1% of total expenditures in 2022 and 4.5% of total expenditures in 2022.

General Administration Expenses

In 2019, general administration expenses as a percentage of total government expenditures decreased slightly to 3.1% from 3.2% in 2018, and increased by 40.4% in nominal terms as compared to 2018.

In 2020, general administration expenses as a percentage of total government expenditures increased to 4.5% from 3.1% in 2019, and increased by 114.7% in nominal terms as compared to 2019. This increase was mainly due to a 178.0% increase in remittances to the provinces and municipalities to cope with COVID-19.

In 2021, general administration expenses as a percentage of total government expenditures decreased to 3.6% from 4.5% in 2020, and increased by 20.7% in nominal terms as compared to 2020.

In 2022, general administration expenses as a percentage of total government expenditures decreased to 3.5% from 3.6% in 2021, and increased by 59.7% in nominal terms as compared to 2021.

 

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In 2023, general administration expenses as a percentage of total government expenditures increased to 4.2% from 3.5% in 2022, and increased by 160.5% in nominal terms as compared to 2022.

Infrastructure Development

The following table sets forth the composition of the Government’s expenditure (including subsidiaries) in infrastructure development for the years indicated.

Composition of Public Expenditures

(% of total expenditures)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Public expenditures on economic infrastructure

     12.0     13.9     18.6     16.3     14.9

Energy, fuels and mining

     5.2       6.8       10.9       9.9       8.4  

Communications

     0.2       0.3       0.5       0.4       0.5  

Transport

     5.6       4.0       5.0       4.7       4.5  

Ecology and environment

     0.3       0.3       0.2       0.4       0.3  

Agriculture

     0.3       0.3       0.3       0.4       0.5  

Industry

     0.2       2.0       1.1       0.3       0.3  

Trade, tourism and other services

     0.1       0.2       0.4       0.2       0.2  

Insurances and finances

     —        0.1       0.1     0.1     0.1  

 

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Composition of Public Expenditures

(% of GDP)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Public expenditures on economic infrastructure

     2.6     3.6     4.3     3.5     3.0

Energy, fuels and mining

     1.1       1.8       2.5       2.1       1.7  

Communications

     0.1       0.1       0.1       0,1       0.1  

Transport

     1.2       1.0       1.2       1.0       0.9  

Ecology and environment

     0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1  

Agriculture

     0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1  

Industry

     —        0.5       0.3       0.1       0.1  

Trade. tourism and other services

     —        —        0.1       —        —   

Insurances and finances

     —        —        —        —        —   

 

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

The Budget

The Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers is responsible for preparing the National Administration’s budget, which must project the National Administration’s fiscal results for the next three years. Although the budget is prepared on a tri-annual basis, Congress only approves the budget for the following year. Once a budget is approved, the Government can transfer the allocated amounts to the various agencies and to the provinces and the City of Buenos Aires on a quarterly basis. The Auditoría General de la Nación (National General Audit Agency) is responsible for supervising budgetary compliance by the National Administration and its agencies. The Public Sector Financial Administration Law prohibits the Government from borrowing to cover operating expenses.

On September 15, 2024, the Government submitted to Congress a draft bill of the national budget for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 (the “2025 Budget”). The draft 2025 Budget includes the following macroeconomic and fiscal assumptions for 2025: (i) a real GDP growth of approximately 5.0%, (ii) a 4.5% increase in private consumption, (iii) a 4.0% increase in public consumption, (iv) a 9.9% increase in investments, and (v) a 7.7% increase in exports and a 14.2% increase in imports, in each case, compared to 2024. Total expenditures for the public sector for 2025 were estimated at 15.2% of GDP, total primary expenditures at 13.9% of GDP and total revenues were estimated at 14.9% of GDP.

 

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The table below presents a comparison between budgeted information for 2024 and 2025 for the National Public Sector, in each case, as included in the 2025 Budget.

Budget Comparison

(in millions of pesos)

 

     Budgeted for
2024(1)
     Budgeted for
2025(1)
     Difference  
     Ps.      %  

Current Revenues

   Ps. 94,711,697.9      Ps. 125,907,333.6        31,195,635.7        32.9

Tax Revenues

     58,459,750.7        75,695,256.9        17,235,506.2        29.5

Social Security Contributions

     28,764,257.3        42,440,739.2        13,676,481.9        47.5

Non-Tax Revenues

     2,392,386.5        3,175,584.5        783,198.0        32.7

Sales of Goods and Services of the Public Administration

     142,569.0        311,938.1        169,369.1        118.8

Property Taxes

     4,596,973.7        3,868,048.5        (728,925.2      (15.9 )% 

Current Transfers

     233,649.9        360,994.8        127,344.9        54.5

Other Revenues

     122,110.8        54,771.6        (67,339.2      (55.1 )% 

Operating Surplus of Public Entities

     —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current Expenditures

     91,069,939.3        120,243,503.3        29,173,564.0        32.0

Consumption Expenditures

     15,614,796.5        22,239,066.3        6,624,269.8        42.4

Personnel

     12,151,540.6        16,830,922.3        4,679,381.7        38.5

Goods and services

     3,463,255.9        5,408,144.0        1,944,888.1        56.2

Property Taxes

     8,721,802.5        9,984,429.1        1,262,626.6        14.5

Social Security Expenditures

     34,552,399.8        48,124,241.8        13,571,842.0        39.3

Other expenditures

     125,458.9        179,371.2        53,912.3        43.0

Current Transfers

     29,473,346.0        38,066,804.2        8,593,458.2        29.2

Operating Deficit of Public Entities

     2,388,506.3        1,367,848.4        (1,020,657.9      (42.7 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Primary Result

     3,641,758.6        5,663,830.3        2,022,071.7        55.5

Capital Revenues

     4,497.7        29,648.7        25,151.0        559.2

Capital Expenditures

     3,644,577.2        5,501,144.3        1,856,567.1        50.9

Real Direct Investment

     2,719,228.7        4,061,097.7        1,341,759.0        49.3

Capital Transfers

     748,927.8        1,139,078.8        390,151.0        52.1

Financial Investment

     176,310.7        300,967.8        124,657.1        70.7

Total Revenues

     94,716,195.6        125,936,982.3        31,220,786.7        33.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Expenditures

     94,714,516.5        125,744,647.6        31,030,131.1        32.8
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Primary Expenditures

     86,020,395.6        115,767,756.2        29,747,360.6        34.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Primary Result

     8,695,800.0        10,169,226.1        1,473,426.1        16.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financial Result

   Ps. 1,679.1      Ps. 192,334.7      Ps. 190,655.6        11,354.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Refers to the budgeted information for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024 included in the 2025 Budget.

Source: 2025 Budget and Ministry of Treasury.

Fiscal Relations with the Provinces

Each of Argentina’s 23 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires is a separate legal and fiscal entity, independent from one another and the Government. Argentina’s federal system allocates significant responsibility for public services and other public expenditures to the provinces, but relies primarily on a centralized system of tax collection. The provinces rely on revenue transfers from the Government, primarily through the Co-Participation Regime (as defined below). See “—Revenue Transfers.” Under the Constitution, the provinces delegate to the Government their authority to collect certain taxes, and the Government, in turn, agreed under the Co-Participation Regime to transfer a portion of the revenues generated from such taxes to the provinces.

From 2019 to the third quarter of 2023, the aggregate annual expenditures of the provinces (including the City of Buenos Aires) averaged 15.2% of nominal GDP, while the provinces (including the City of Buenos Aires), on average, collected annual revenues of approximately 15.2% of nominal GDP (including co-participation amounts). The following table sets forth a summary of the changes in the aggregate fiscal results at the provincial level for the periods specified.

 

D-126


Summary of Revenues and Expenditures of the Provinces and the City of Buenos Aires

(in millions of pesos) (1)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021      2022      2023  

Revenues

            

Current revenues:

            

Administration taxes:

            

Provincial taxes

   Ps. 1,042,447.5     Ps. 1,368,518.6     Ps. 2,322,143.0      Ps. 4,189,136.7      Ps. 9,675,064.2  

National taxes:

            

Co-participation

     1,475,567.8       1,956,075.8       3,143,437.1        5,916,743.2        13,091,377.3  

Other national taxes

     154,948.1       284,567.1       412,304.0        610,498.7        1,265,467.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total national taxes

     1,630,515.8       2,240,642.9       3,555,741.1        6,527,241.9        14,356,844.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total administration taxes

     2,672,963.3       3,609,161.5       5,877,884.1        10,716,378.6        24,031,908.8  

Other non-tax revenue

     219,999.8       203,333.1       355,314.8        635,741.6        1,547,642.7  

Sale of goods and services of the public administration

     19,394.7       22,170.8       36,996.0        65,583.7        151,097.9  

Property taxes

     69,618.9       42,219.3       91,812.6        321,498.0        1,293,961.3  

Current transfers

     129,121.4       333,841.9       412,146.7        674,275.8        1,541,911.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current revenues

     3,111,098.1       4,210,726.8       6,774,154.2        12,413,477.6        28,566,522.3  

Capital revenue

     56,043.9       60,317.4       160,273.1        291,177.8        736,676.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenues

     3,167,142.0       4,271,044.2       6,934,427.3        12,704,654.4        29,303,199.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenditures

            

Current expenditures:

            

Consumption expenditures:

            

Provincial administration wages

     1,609,339.7       2,155,196.4       3,213,314.7        5,798,881.7        14,173,467.7  

Consumer goods

     81,518.8       136,444.6       256,230.8        384,286.3        758,413.4  

Services

     222,905.2       285,898.4       468,694.0        848,573.2        2,151,617.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total consumption expenditures

     1,913,763.8       2,577,539.5       3,938,241.5        7,031,741.2        17,083,498.1  

Interest payments

     175,904.0       140,432.7       175,454.4        290,840.1        690,041.0  

Current transfers

     784,578.1       1,179,895.6       1,864,495.4        3,346,414.7        7,866,634.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total current expenditures

     2,874,245.9       3,897,867.7       5,978,191.2        10,668,996.0        25,640,173.2  

Capital expenditures

            

Direct investment

     272, 586.5       252,718.6       517,243.3        1,135,932.5        2,679,200.7  

Capital transfers

     71,332.7       91,642.8       141,586.2        285,774.4        717,644.1  

Financial investment

     39,799.6       69,523.5       118,908.0        232,682.4        698,199.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures

     383.708,8       413,884.9       777,728.5        1,654,389.3        4,095,044.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenditures

     3,257,954.7       4,311,752.6       6,755,919.7        12,323,385.3        29,735,217.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fiscal balance

   Ps. (90,812.6   P s.(40,708.5   Ps. 178,507      Ps. 381,269.1      Ps. (432,018.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts calculated using the accrual method.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

 

D-127


Summary of Revenues and Expenditures of the Provinces and the City of Buenos Aires

(in millions of pesos) (1)

 

     As of December 31,      %
Variation
    % of
GDP
 
     2022      2023  

Revenues

          

Current revenues:

          

Administration taxes:

          

Provincial taxes

     4,189,137        9,675,064        131.0     5.1

National taxes:

          

Co-participation

     5,916,743        13,091,377        121.3       6.8  

Other national taxes

     610,499        1,265,467        107.3       0.7  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total national taxes

     6,527,242        14,356,845        120.0       7.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total administration taxes

     10,716,379        24,031,909        124.3       12.6  

Other non-tax revenue

     635,742        1,547,643        143.4       0.8  

Sale of goods and services of the public administration

     65,584        151,098        130.4       0.1  

Property taxes

     321,498        1,293,961        302.5       0.7  

Current transfers

     674,276        1,541,912        128.7       0.8  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current revenues

     12,413,478        28,566,522        130.1       14.9  

Capital revenue

     291,177        736,677        153.0       0.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     12,704,654        29,303,199        130.6       15.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenditures

          

Current expenditures:

          

Consumption expenditures:

          

Provincial administration wages

     5,798,882        14,173,468        144.4       7.4  

Consumer goods

     384,286        758,413        97.4       0.4  

Services

     848,573        2,151,617        153.6       1.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consumption expenditures

     7,031,741        17,083,498        142.9       8.9  

Interest payments

     290,840        690,041        137.3       0.4  

Current transfers

     3,346,415        7,866,634        135.1       4.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current expenditures

     10,668,996        25,640,173        140.3       13.4  

Capital expenditures

          

Direct investment

     1,135,932        2,679,201        135.9       1.4  

Capital transfers

     285,774        717,644        151.1       0.4  

Financial investment

     232,682        698,200        200.1       0.4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures

     1,654,389        4,095,044        147.5       2.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenditures

     12,323,385        29,735,218        141.3       15.5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fiscal balance

     381,269        (432,018      (213.3 )%      (0.2 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts calculated using the accrual method.

The following table sets forth a summary of the aggregate fiscal results at the provincial level for the periods specified, in percentage terms.

Summary of Revenues and Expenditures of the Provinces and the City of Buenos Aires

(% change from the previous year)(1)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Revenues

          

Current revenues:

          

Administration taxes:

          

Provincial taxes

     35.7     31.3     69.7     80.4     131.0

 

D-128


     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

National taxes:

          

Co-participation

     46.6       32.6       60.7       88.2       121.3  

Other national taxes

     121.7       83.7       44.9       48.1       107.3  

Total national taxes

     51.4       37.4       58.7       83.6       120.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total administration taxes

     44.9       35.0       62.9       82.3       124.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other non-tax revenue

     60.6       (7.6     74.7       78.9       143.4  

Sale of goods and services of the public administration

     37.7       14.3       66.9       77.3       130.4  

Property taxes

     76.8       (39.4     117.5       250.2       302.5  

Current transfers

     5.3       158.5       23.5       63.6       128.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current revenues

     44.2       35.3       60.9       83.2       130.1  

Capital revenue

     (15.7     7.6       165.7       81.7       153.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     42.4       34.9       62.4       83.2       130.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenditures

          

Current expenditures:

          

Consumption expenditures:

          

Provincial administration wages

     45.0       33.9       49.1       80.5       144.4  

Consumer goods

     61.9       67.4       87.8       50.0       97.4  

Services

     37.7       28.3       63.9       81.0       153.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consumption expenditures

     44.7       34.7       52.8       78.6       142.9  

Interest payments

     74.8       (20.2     24.9       65.8       137.3  

Current transfers

     52.7       50.4       58.0       79.5       135.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current expenditures

     48.4       35.6       53.4       78.5       140.3  

Capital expenditures

          

Direct investment

     22.8       (7.3     104.7       119.6       135.9  

Capital transfers

     7.2       28.5       54.5       101.8       151.1  

Financial investment

     18.2       74.7       71.0       98.7       200.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures

     19.1       7.9       87.9       112.7       147.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenditures

     44.2       32.3       56.7       82.4       141.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fiscal balance

     163.1     (55.2 )%      (538.5 )%      113.6     (213.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts calculated using the accrual method.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Summary of Revenues and Expenditures of the Provinces and the City of Buenos Aires

(as percentage of GDP) (1)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Revenues

          

Current revenues:

          

Administration taxes:

          

Provincial taxes

     4.8     5.0     5.0     5.1     5.1

National taxes:

          

Co-participation

     6.8       7.2       6.8       7.2       6.8  

Other national taxes

     0.7       1.0       0.9       0.7       0.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total national taxes

     7.6       8.2       7.7       7.9       7.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total administration taxes

     12.4       13.3       12.7       13.0       12.6  

Other non-tax revenue

     1.0       0.7       0.8       0.8       0.8  

Sale of goods and services of the public administration

     0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1  

 

D-129


     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Property taxes

     0.3       0.2       0.2       0.4       0.7  

Current transfers

     0.6       1.2       0.9       0.8       0.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current revenues

     14.4       15.5       14.7       15.0       14.9  

Capital revenue

     0.3       0.2       0.3       0.4       0.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     14.7       15.7       15.0       15.4       15.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenditures

          

Current expenditures:

          

Consumption expenditures:

          

Provincial administration wages

     7.5       7.9       7.0       7.0       7.4  

Consumer goods

     0.4       0.5       0.6       0.5       0.4  

Services

     1.0       1.1       1.0       1.0       1.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consumption expenditures

     8.9       9.5       8.5       8.5       8.9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest payments

     0.8       0.5       0.4       0.4       0.4  

Current transfers

     3.6       4.3       4.0       4.0       4.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current expenditures

     13.3       14.3       12.9       12.9       13.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

          

Direct investment

     1.3       0.9       1.1       1.4       1.4  

Capital transfers

     0.3       0.3       0.3       0.3       0.4  

Financial investment

     0.2       0.3       0.3       0.3       0.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures

     1.8       1.5       1.7       2.0       2.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenditures

     15.1       15.9       14.6       14.9       15.5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fiscal balance

    
(0.4
 
)% 
   
(0.1
 
)% 
   
0.4
 
    0.5     (0.2 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amounts calculated using the accrual method.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Revenue Transfers

Currently, revenue transfers between the Government and the provinces take place under the Co-Participation Regime and several other special revenue-distribution arrangements. The 1988 Co-Participation Law as amended in 2002 (the “Co-Participation Law”) governs the current co-participation regime (the “Co-Participation Regime”). Originally intended as a temporary measure, the Co-Participation Law has been automatically renewed every year since it was due to expire at the end of 1989. Although the 1994 amendments to the Constitution called for the adoption of a new co-participation law by 1996, none has been adopted. Since the mid-1980s, the executive branches of the Government and the provinces and the City of Buenos Aires have maintained consensual agreements concerning revenue transfers, which Congress has routinely ratified. The Comisión Federal de Impuestos (Federal Tax Commission), a federal agency created pursuant to the Co-Participation Law, monitors compliance with the Co-Participation Regime.

The Co-Participation Law requires the Government to transfer to a federal co-participation fund 100.0% of income tax revenues (net of Ps.580 million, as described below), 89.0% of value-added tax revenues, 100.0% of revenues from the notional minimum income tax and 93.7% of revenues from the personal property tax, 30.0% of the revenues from excise tax and other minor taxes. The 2017 Fiscal Consensus establishes that 100.0% of revenues generated by the tax on financial transactions will be allocated to ANSES. Additionally, the 2017 Fiscal Consensus provided for (i) certain compensations to those jurisdictions whose funds were reduced as a result of certain changes in the allocations of income tax and financial transactions tax and (ii) a specific compensation to the Province of Buenos Aires due to the dismantling of the Fondo del Conurbano Bornaerense.

The special distribution arrangements in place through December 31, 2023, in addition to the federal Co-Participation Regime, include the following:

 

   

VAT. 11% of VAT revenues (after deducting export refunds) were distributed as follows: 6.27% to those provinces whose social security funds had not been transferred to the federal Government (Buenos Aires, Chaco, Chubut, Córdoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, La Pampa, Misiones, Neuquén, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe and Tierra del Fuego) and the remaining 93.73% to ANSES;

 

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Taxes on Liquid Fuels and Carbon Dioxide. 10.40% of revenues generated by taxes on liquid fuels and carbon dioxide is allocated to the provinces and the City of Buenos Aires through the National Housing Fund (Fonavi), distributed as follows: (i) 60% to roadways, (ii) 30% to infrastructure and (iii) 10% to the Fondo Especial Desarrollo Electrico del Interior (Special Electricity Development Fund for the Provinces and City of Buenos Aires).

 

   

Personal Property Tax. After deducting Ps.3.0 million to INCUCAI, 6.27% are allocated to provinces whose social security funds had not been transferred to the federal Government; and

 

   

Monotributo (self-employment tax). Revenue from the self-employment tax is divided into a tax component and a social security component. The tax component is allocated: 70% to ANSES system and 30% as provided in the Co-Participation Law. The social security component is entirely allocated to ANSES.

Agreement for a New Federalism

Before the 2017 Fiscal Consensus, a 1992 agreement among the Government, the provinces and the City of Buenos Aires permitted the Government to withhold 15% of total tax revenues subject to the Co-Participation Regime to fund ANSES. This 15% withholding was extended annually and finally enacted in 2006 under Article 76 of Law No. 26,078, Presupuesto de Gastos y Recursos de la Administración Nacional para el Ejercicio 2006 (the “2006 National Budget Law”). In November 2015, the Supreme Court of Argentina declared that withholding unconstitutional as applied to the provinces of San Luis and Santa Fe, and ordered the Government to return the funds that had been withheld from these provinces since 2006, plus accrued interest. In addition, the province of Córdoba obtained a precautionary measure, but not a final ruling from the Supreme Court confirming the return of retroactive funds plus accrued interest since 2006.

In 2016, the Government reached agreements with all provinces, other than Córdoba, San Luis and Santa Fe (which had the benefit of the Supreme Court rulings) for the gradual repayment of funds withheld under Article 76 of the 2006 National Budget Law (the Programa Acuerdo para el Nuevo Federalismo or “Agreement for a New Federalism”). The Agreement for a New Federalism entitled the provinces to gradually recover their share of the 15% previously withheld by the Government, subject to certain conditions. A special financing facility through ANSES provided the equivalent of 6% of such 15% owed to those provinces and the City of Buenos Aires during 2016, and 3% each year until 2020.

Dispute with the City of Buenos Aires

In January 2016, the Macri administration increased the distribution of co-participation taxes to the City of Buenos Aires from 1.4% to 3.75% in the context of the transfer to such jurisdiction of competencies in the area of public safety in non-federal matters, including the transfer of all personnel, agencies, functions, competencies, services and assets affected up to that time. Such percentage was reduced to 3.5% in 2017 pursuant to an agreement between the Government and the City of Buenos Aires. In September 2020, the Fernández administration reduced such co-participation percentage to 2.32%. Following such decision, the City of Buenos Aires filed a petition for unconstitutionality before the Supreme Court.

In December 2020, through Law 27,606, the City of Buenos Aires’ co-participation rate was further reduced to 1.4%. In addition, the City of Buenos Aires began to receive a contribution from the National Treasury to finance the police forces.

In December 2022, the Supreme Court of Justice issued an injunction (i) establishing that the Government must send to the City of Buenos Aires 2.95% of the co-participation funds until such court renders a decision on the merits and (ii) suspending the effectiveness of Law 27,606.

Other Arrangements with the Provinces

Since the late 1990s, the Government entered into different arrangements with the provinces to regularize their fiscal situation. Under these arrangements, the Government provides financial assistance to the provinces in various forms and subject to various conditions. Some of these programs are highlighted below.

Fiscal Responsibility Law. The Fiscal Responsibility Law was enacted in 2004 and is only binding on those provinces and the City of Buenos Aires, that approved it. To date, 21 of 23 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires have approved the Fiscal Responsibility Law. This law implements important reforms to the fiscal framework for Argentina’s national, provincial and municipal public sectors. Some of its key features include the following:

 

   

the Government and the provinces must prepare annual fiscal programs for each upcoming year setting forth certain fiscal policies, targets and projections, and regularly publish their fiscal results on their respective websites;

 

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the growth rate of the primary expenditures of the national and provincial governments may not exceed the projected nominal GDP growth rate;

 

   

the Government and the provinces must maintain balanced budgets;

 

   

the Government and the provinces must create special anti-cyclical funds to reduce volatility in the fiscal cycle;

 

   

the provinces may not incur debt service obligations in excess of 15% of provincial current revenues net of co-participation transfers to the municipal governments (other than in connection with expenditures for the promotion of economic activity, employment and social assistance). Any province in breach of this limit would be precluded, with certain exceptions, from incurring additional debt;

 

   

the Government must commit to reduce its outstanding debt as a percentage of nominal GDP following its debt restructuring;

 

   

the provinces must seek approval from the Ministry of Economy to incur debt or issue guarantees; and

 

   

the Ministry of Economy must base its approval of provincial debt issues or guarantees on the parameters set forth in the law.

The Fiscal Responsibility Law, however, does not implement any amendments to the Federal Co-Participation Regime.

Since 2009, Congress has approved amendments to the Fiscal Responsibility Law to grant flexibility to the fiscal regulation. This increased flexibility refers both to public expenditure growth and to the level of financial results. In addition, the provinces may not incur debt service obligations in excess of 15% of current provincial revenues net of co-participation transfers to the municipal governments during the relevant year. These amendments have sought to aid provincial governments in addressing their fiscal deficits.

On October 25, 2016, the then Minister of the Treasury and Public Finance along with all provincial ministers of finance announced the inclusion of certain amendments to the Fiscal Responsibility Law in the Government’s 2017 budget. The amendments sought to reduce the overall public sector deficit in 2017, enhance transparency in provincial public accounts and restrain public spending by capping public spending increases in 2017 at the growth rate of nominal GDP.

On November 16, 2017, all provinces (except San Luis and La Pampa) approved the 2017 Fiscal Consensus, establishing rules designed to enhance sound public finance practices at the national and provincial levels and ensure that each jurisdiction maintains control over its expenses, such as capping increases in public expenditures for any given period at the inflation rate for that period, and capping increases in overall public employment at the rate of population growth. Through the 2017 Fiscal Consensus, the provinces commit to limit tax increases, especially on taxes on labor and production and the financing of labor and production, in order to foster economic growth at the national and provincial level.

On December 22, 2017, Congress approved the 2017 Fiscal Consensus together with an amendment to the Fiscal Responsibility regime, setting guidelines to enhance the solvency of national and provincial public sector accounts with the aim of reducing the overall public sector deficit. As of the date of this Annual Report, all of the provincial legislatures (except for the legislatures of La Pampa and San Luis) and the legislature of the City of Buenos Aires had approved the 2017 Fiscal Consensus and had adhered to the Fiscal Responsibility regime, as amended.

In August 2018, the Government enacted a decree eliminating the Fondo Federal Solidario (Joint Federal Fund). The Joint Federal Fund was established in March 2009 for infrastructure expenditures in the provinces and municipalities and was financed by 30% of the tax revenues generated by soy exports, which were distributed among the provinces pursuant to the Co-Participation Law. To compensate the provinces for the loss in revenues, in September 2018, the Government created the Programa de Asistencia Financiera a Provincias y Municipios (Federal Financial Assistance Program to Provinces and Municipalities) through which the Government committed to transfer a total of Ps.4.1 billion to all jurisdictions that signed the 2017 Fiscal Consensus.

The 2017 Fiscal Consensus was amended by Law 27,469 (2018 Fiscal Consensus), Law 27,542 (2019 Fiscal Consensus), Law 27,634 (2020 Fiscal Consensus), Law 27,687 (2021 Fiscal Consensus) and articles 20 to 22 of Law 27,591, which modified the Fiscal Responsibility regime, in particular with regards to the incurrence of debt.

Social Security

Reform of the Pension Funds System

On November 20, 2008, Congress approved Law No. 26,425, reforming the private pension system. Under this law, the former private pension system was absorbed and replaced by the Argentine Integrated Pension System, structured as a “pay as you go” system. As a result, all resources administered by the private pension funds, including equity interests in a wide range of listed companies, were transferred to a separate fund, the FGS, to

 

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be administered by the ANSES. The assets held in the FGS may only be used to make advances to the Government to cover unexpected budget deficits that prevent the Government (through ANSES) from honoring its obligation to make social security and pension payments. As of December 31, 2023, the FGS was valued at Ps.40.1 billion.

Decree No. 2,103/08 requires that the FGS invest in financial assets that include, among other instruments, Government bonds or local securities of recognized solvency. ANSES prioritizes investments that mitigate the financial impact that economic and social trends have on the public pension system, act as a reserve fund providing an appropriate investment of any public pension system surpluses, contribute to preserve the value and profitability of FGS’s resources and the sustainable development of the public pension system and address any shortfalls in such system’s or ANSES’s financing.

The FGS has decision making bodies and control bodies. The Executive Director of ANSES manages the FGS with the assistance of an Executive Committee (composed of the Secretary of Finance, Treasury and Economic Policy of the Ministry of Economy). The Deputy Director of Operations of the FGS is the Executive Secretary of the Executive Committee and also its Operating Manager. Decisions are taken by simple majority, although the Executive Director of ANSES has veto rights. In addition to the Council of the FGS (which includes representatives of workers, retirees, businessmen, legislators, the cabinet of ministers and of the ANSES), the activities of the FGS are audited by a Join Congressional Commission for Control of Funds, the Audit of the FGS, the General Audit of the Nation and the Office of the Ombudsman of the Nation.

Social Security Framework

ANSES is a self-governing entity with its own legal status, distinct from that of the National Government, and enjoys financial and economic autonomy.

Three separate institutions manage Argentina’s national public pension system:

 

   

ANSES, which oversees the pension funds of the general public;

 

   

the Instituto de Ayuda Financiera para Pago de Retiros y Pensiones Militares (Armed Forces Pension Fund), which manages a special pension fund for the armed forces; and

 

   

the Caja de Retiros, Jubilaciones y Pensiones de la Policía Federal (Federal Police Pension Fund), which manages a special pension fund for federal law enforcement personnel.

A significant portion of ANSES’s investments portfolio includes Government bonds.

Between 1994 and 1996, the Government assumed responsibility for operating the provincial pension systems of 10 provinces and the City of Buenos Aires. The Government merged these provincial pension funds into ANSES.

The current public social security system provides the following main benefits for retirees and for eligible individuals:

 

   

Ordinary pensions, consisting of:

 

   

Prestación básica universal (Basic pension). ANSES provides a basic pension to all individuals who have paid social security contributions for a majority of their working lives and have reached retirement age, regardless of the amount of the contributions made. The amount of this benefit is fixed by law and bears no relation to the amount of the contributions.

 

   

Prestación compensatoria (Compensatory pension). ANSES also provides a compensatory pension to recipients of the basic pension in proportion to any social security contributions made by or on behalf of such recipient prior to July 1994. The amount of this supplemental pension is determined based on an individual’s social security contributions and the length of time during which contributions were made.

 

   

Prestación adicional por permanencia (Additional pension). Recipients of the basic pension and compensatory pension also receive an additional pension. The amount of this benefit is equivalent to 1.5% of the average yearly salary during the ten years before retirement, multiplied by each service year for which an individual made social security contributions.

 

   

Special pensions and allowances, consisting mainly of:

 

   

Retiro por invalidez (Disability retirement). Allowance granted to disabled individuals under the age of 65.

 

   

Jubilación por edad avanzada (Pension for the elderly). Allowance granted to individuals over the age of 70 who do not qualify for a basic retirement pension.

 

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Pensión por fallecimiento (Death pension). Allowance granted to certain dependents of a deceased retiree, if at the time of the retiree’s death, such dependents were unable to work due to a disability.

 

   

Universal Child Allowance: ANSES provides a monthly pension child per under the age of 18 and per disabled child (with no age limit) of workers in the informal sector of the economy, employees with income below the minimum monthly wage and the unemployed.

 

   

Universal Pregnancy Allowance: ANSES provides a monthly allowance to pregnant women, who have no medical insurance, from the twelfth week of pregnancy.

Argentina’s social security system also includes the following two unemployment programs:

 

   

unemployment insurance that provides one-time or monthly benefits to terminated employees and their dependents who meet certain requirements; and

 

   

the Heads of Households program, sponsored by the World Bank, under which unemployed heads of households receive benefit payments in exchange for community service. Heads of Households program beneficiaries may opt for a new plan called Más y Mejor Empleo (More and Better Jobs), as well as the Seguro de Capacitación y Empleo (Training and Employment Insurance) and the Programa Familias por la Inclusión Social (Families for Social Inclusion Program).

Currently, the national social security system is funded primarily through the following taxes:

 

   

payroll taxes based on employee wages (usually 11% for employees and between 18% and 20.4% for employers, depending on the employer’s line of business);

 

   

mandatory employee contributions to the Instituto Nacional de Servicios Sociales para Jubilados y Pensionados (National Institute of Pensioner and Retiree Social Services) (equal to 3% of the employee’s wages);

 

   

the employee health system tax based on employee wages (3% for employees and 6% for employers); and

 

   

the Monotributo (self-employment tax) system applicable to self-employed individuals (under which amounts are determined on an individual basis according to assumed income ranges for various lines of work).

Other fiscal revenues allocated to cover costs of ANSES include the following:

 

   

11% of VAT revenues (after deducting export refunds) were distributed as follows: 6.27% to provinces whose social security funds had not been transferred to the federal Government (Buenos Aires, Chaco, Chubut, Córdoba, Corrientes, Entre Rios, Formosa, La Pampa, Misiones, Neuquén, Santa Cruz, Santa Fe and Tierra del Fuego) and the remaining 93.73% to ANSES;

 

   

100% of revenues from the emergency tax on cigarettes;

 

   

100% of the tax on financing transactions; and

 

   

42% of the Impuesto PAIS.

Evolution of Social Security Revenues and Expenditures

From 2019 to 2023, the social security system deficit increased from Ps.331.9 billion in 2019 to Ps.1,014.4 billion in 2023. This deficit increase was primarily due to a 205.6% increase in social security payments, primarily due to an increase in the number of beneficiaries and the automatic increase in benefit amounts mandated by Law No. 26,417 (the Social Security Mobility Law), which was enacted in October 2008 to address the mobility of public social security regimes. This law guarantees a minimum pension, which is adjusted semi-annually by reference to changes in both the wage index published by INDEC and tax revenues.

Social security revenues. In 2019, social security revenues increased by 34.0% as compared to 2018 to Ps.1,225.6 billion, mainly driven by an increase in taxable wages as compared to 2018. In 2020, social security revenues increased by 26.3% as compared to 2019 to Ps.1,548.0 billion, mainly driven by an increase in taxable wages as compared to 2019. In 2021, social security revenues increased by 54.9% as compared to 2020 to Ps.2,398.1 billion, mainly driven by an increase in taxable wages and employment in the formal economy. In 2022, social security revenues increased by 80.6% as compared to 2021 to Ps.4,332 billion, mainly driven by an increase in taxable wages and employment in the formal economy. In 2023, social security revenues increased by 124.4% as compared to 2022 to Ps.9,723.1 billion, mainly driven by an increase in taxable wages and employment in the formal economy.

 

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Social security expenditures. In 2019, social security expenditures increased by 44.2% to Ps.2,218.1 billion. In 2020, social security expenditures increased by 63.0% to Ps.3,614.9 billion. In 2021, social security expenditures increased by 24.6% to Ps.4,505.7 billion. In 2022, social security expenditures increased by 74.8% to Ps.7,877.6 billion. In 2023, social security expenditures increased by 113.2% to Ps.16,792.8 billion.

Retiree Programs and Ley de Reforma Previsional (Pension Reform Law)

On June 29, 2016, Congress passed a bill approving the Historical Reparations Program for Retirees and Pensioners, which took effect upon its publication in the official gazette. The main aspects of this program, which is designed to conform government social security policies to Supreme Court rulings, include (i) payments to more than two million retirees and the retroactive compensation of more than 300,000 retirees and (ii) the creation of a pensión universal (universal pension) for the elderly, which guaranteed a basic income for all individuals over 65 years of age who are otherwise ineligible for retirement. The Historical Reparations Program for Retirees and Pensioners entitled retirees to claim retroactive compensation in an aggregate amount of more than Ps.47.0 billion and involve expenses of up to Ps.75.0 billion to cover all potential beneficiaries. The bill provides that assets held by the FGS, including equity interests, may be sold to pay for this program. See “—Reform of the Pension Funds System.”

On December 28, 2017, Congress passed a pension reform law (the “2017 Pension Reform Law”) that sought to improve the sustainability and predictability of Argentina’s pension program. The 2017 Pension Reform Law also deferred statutory mandatory retirement age from the age of 65 to 70 (for men) and from 60 to 70 (for women). Public sector employees are excluded from this regime.

On December 29, 2020, Congress enacted a pension reform law (the “2020 Pension Reform Law”) to further improve the sustainability and predictability of the Argentine pension program. To that effect, the basic formula for the periodic adjustment of retirements, pensions and the Universal Child Allowance was modified as of March 2021, to provide for quarterly adjustments based on a formula combining ANSES revenues for the period (given a 50% weight in the formula) with the RIPTE, an index published by the Ministry of Labor that measures salary increases of state employees (given the remaining 50% weight in the formula).

In March and June 2022, the Government announced an increase of 12.28% and 15.0%, respectively, for all retirements, pensions and allowances, accumulating a 29.1% increase in the six-month period ended June 30, 2022.

The Government scheduled two extraordinary payments to retirees and pensioners with low incomes, which amounted to (i) Ps.6,000 in April 2022 (for individuals with an income lower than the minimum monthly wage), and (ii) Ps.12,000 in May 2022 (for individuals with an income lower than two minimum monthly wages). Further, in August 2022, the Government announced a 15.5% increase for all retirements, pensions and allowances as of September 2022. In addition, the Government announced a Ps.7,000 monthly allowance to be paid in September, October and November 2022 to retirees and pensioners receiving up to a minimum pension and will gradually decrease to Ps.4,000 for those receiving up to two minimum pensions. This measure is estimated to reach approximately 6.1 million retirees and pensioners.

Further, on July 2022 the Government extended the moratorium for individuals of retirement age who have not reached minimum contributions to the social security system will have the possibility to regularize their pension debt and access retirement status, allowing for the retirement of approximately 70,000 women.

In 2023, the Government carried out a series of significant adjustments to pension assets, in accordance with the Social Security Mobility Law, with the objective of preserving the purchasing power of retirees. The increases were applied through a staggered approach, amounting to 17.04%, 20.92%, 23.29% and 20.87% in March, June, September and December, respectively. In addition, the Government implemented a monthly bonus for low-income retirees and pensioners starting at Ps.10,000 in January and progressively increasing until reaching Ps.55,000 in December. This progressive bonus policy was aimed at mitigating the effects of inflation and providing additional economic support to the most vulnerable sectors of the retired population.

 

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PUBLIC SECTOR DEBT

Overview

Unless otherwise specified, the amounts of the Republic’s securities outstanding included in this section “Public Debt” were calculated as of December 31, 2023.

The Republic’s total gross public debt consists of foreign currency-denominated and peso-denominated debt owed directly by the Government and indirect debt consisting of Government guarantees of obligations of other national public institutions, the provinces (including the City of Buenos Aires) and private sector entities. It does not include direct debt of the provinces or other entities that is not guaranteed by the Government. Except where indicated, foreign currency-denominated debt and peso-denominated debt is comprised of performing and non-performing debt (including Untendered Debt). See “—Legal Proceedings.”

On February 5, 2020, Congress enacted legislation authorizing the Executive Power, acting through the Ministry of Economy, to engage in transactions and negotiations with Argentina’s creditors to restore the sustainability of its public external debt (the “Debt Sustainability Bill”), including by modifying the principal amounts, maturities and interest payments of public securities issued by Argentina and governed by foreign law. Pursuant to the Debt Sustainability Bill, between April and September 2020, the Government conducted the 2020 Debt Exchanges. See “—Debt Record—2020 Debt Exchanges.”

The Republic’s total gross public debt, including Untendered Debt, for the years 2019 through 2023, was:

 

   

U.S.$323.1 billion, as of December 31, 2019;

 

   

U.S.$335.6 billion, as of December 31, 2020;

 

   

U.S.$363.2 billion, as of December 31, 2021;

 

   

U.S.$396.6 billion, as of December 31, 2022; and

 

   

U.S.$370.7 billion, as of December 31, 2023.

Of the U.S.$370.7 billion of the Republic’s total gross public debt outstanding as of December 31, 2023, peso-denominated debt totaled Ps.83,898.7 billion (U.S.$103.8 billion), representing 28.0% of the Republic’s total gross public debt, of which 55.5% corresponded to CER-index linked debt and foreign currency-denominated debt totaled U.S.$266.9 billion, representing 72.0% of the Republic’s total gross public debt.

As of December 31, 2023, total gross public debt (including non-performing debt and Untendered Debt) by type of creditor was as follows:

 

   

44.8% of total gross public debt, or U.S.$165.9 billion, primarily consisted of Public Debt held by National Public Sector Agencies;

 

   

34.0% of total gross public debt, or U.S.$125.8 billion, was Public Debt held by private sector creditors; and

 

   

21.3% of total gross public debt, or U.S.$78.9 billion, primarily consisted of Public Debt held by multilateral and bilateral lenders.

As of December 31, 2023, total gross public debt (excluding non-performing debt and Untendered Debt) by type of instrument was as follows: 73.3%, or U.S.$270.0 billion, in bonds; 21.4%, or U.S.$78.9 billion, in loans from multilateral and bilateral lenders; 1.7% or U.S.$6.3 billion, in treasury notes and treasury bills; 1.7% or U.S.$6.4 billion, in guaranteed debt (guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy projects unrelated to private-public partnership projects, Avales and promissory notes); 1.4% or U.S.$5.1 billion in temporary advances from the Central Bank; 0.3% or U.S.$1.2 billion, in loans from commercial banks; and 0.1%, or U.S.$456.8 million, in National Guaranteed Loans.

Untendered Debt has been defined to include unpaid principal plus accrued and unpaid interest at contractual rates through December 31, 2023 plus compensatory or default interest. The Republic has not offered to pay time-barred claims on principal or interest.

As of December 31, 2023, nominal claims on account of Untendered Debt (including solely for this purpose claims that the Republic considers time-barred), as registered in the public accounts of the Ministry of Economy, totaled approximately U.S.$2.4 billion.

 

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As of December 31, 2022, non-performing debt (excluding Untendered Debt) totaled U.S.$102.8 million, or less than 0.1% of total gross public debt.

Debt Record

Introduction

From time to time, the Republic has carried out debt restructuring transactions in accordance with Section 65 of Law No. 24,156 and other applicable legislation with official as well as private creditors. Between 1990 and 2023, the Republic entered into four restructurings of external and domestic debt in default: the Brady Plan, the 2005 Debt Exchange, the 2010 Debt Exchange and the 2020 Debt Exchanges.

Paris Club

The Republic restructured debt owed to members of the Paris Club, a group of sovereign creditors, through five separate agreements in 1985, 1987, 1989, 1991 and 1992. During the debt crisis that began in 2001, the Republic defaulted on its outstanding debt owed to Paris Club members. As of April 30, 2014, the total outstanding debt owed to members of the Paris Club amounted to U.S.$9,690 million, which consisted of U.S.$4,955 million in principal, U.S.$1,102 million in interest and U.S.$3,633 million in penalty interest. On May 29, 2014, the Republic reached a settlement agreement with the Paris Club to cancel the total outstanding debt in five years. As of December 31, 2019, U.S.$1,941.2 million principal amount remained outstanding. On April 7, 2020, the Minister of Economy sent the Paris Club members a proposal to modify the existing terms of the Paris Club 2014 Settlement Agreement, seeking mainly an extension of the maturity dates and a significant reduction in the interest rate. On June 22, 2021, the Minister of Economy announced that the Republic had obtained a “time bridge” within the framework of Paris Club negotiations, avoiding default. On October 28, 2022, the Republic and the Paris Club creditors reached an agreement to amend the Paris Club 2014 Settlement Agreement, to reschedule an estimated stock of arrears of U.S.$1.9 billion (the “Amended Paris Club Settlement Agreement”). The repayment of the outstanding amounts under the Amended Paris Club Settlement Agreement is to be made in 13 installments over a six-year period and reducing the applicable interest rate from 9.0% to 4.5%. As of December 31, 2023, the Republic had paid the first three installments under the Amended Paris Club Settlement Agreement (as defined herein) and finalized the execution of bilateral agreements with all Paris Club creditors involved in the negotiation. See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Debt Owed to Financial Institutions—Paris Club.”

Commercial Banks

In 1985 and 1987, the Republic negotiated the restructuring of U.S.$34.7 billion in debt owed to international commercial bank creditors. In addition to the banks extending new loans in the aggregate amount of approximately U.S.$3.0 billion, two bond issuances formed part of this restructuring: “new money bonds” and “alternative participation instruments,” or “APIs.” Interest payments to bank creditors were suspended in April 1988 and resumed on a partial basis until the refinancing of medium- and long-term commercial bank debt under the Brady Plan (as described below).

The Brady Plan

In April 1992, the Republic announced a refinancing agreement under the Brady Plan relating to medium- and long-term debt owed to commercial banks. The Brady Plan applied to an estimated U.S.$28.5 billion in debt, including an estimated U.S.$9.3 billion in interest arrears, representing over 96.0% of the commercial bank debt then outstanding. The Brady Plan effected a reduction of approximately U.S.$3 billion in the nominal amount of the Republic’s foreign debt.

Over 96.0% of the commercial bank debt was refinanced pursuant to the Brady Plan. The Brady Plan provided for the issuance of par bonds, discount bonds and floating rate bonds, and a cash payout of U.S.$700 million in exchange for previously outstanding commercial bank debt of U.S.$28.5 billion, which included U.S.$9.3 billion of interest in arrears.

The Republic serviced the Brady Bonds until its default in 2001. Approximately 95.7% of the then outstanding U.S. dollar-denominated Brady Bonds and 81.3% of the then-outstanding euro-denominated Brady Bonds were exchanged in the 2005 Debt Exchange.

In March 2023, Citibank, N.A.’s New York and Frankfurt branches, in their role as fiscal agents with respect to the Republic’s 2038 Par Bonds and 2030 Discount Bonds, requested the Federal Reserve Bank of New York to liquidate the guarantees for the payment of such series of bonds in a portion required to comply with the attachment ordered by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

 

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2001 Debt Crisis

On December 24, 2001, the Government (under the temporary administration of President Rodríguez Saá) declared a moratorium on a substantial portion of the Republic’s public debt. President Duhalde, his successor, endorsed the moratorium when he took office some days later. The Public Emergency Law, enacted on January 6, 2002, authorized the Government to take the measures necessary to create conditions for an economic recovery and to restructure the Republic’s public debt.

On February 6, 2002, the Government officially suspended payments on the Republic’s public debt and authorized the Ministry of Economy to undertake a restructuring of these obligations. Subsequently, the Government issued various measures refining the scope of the suspension of debt payments. As a result of these measures, the Government continued to meet its debt obligations to the following creditors:

 

   

multilateral official lenders;

 

   

creditors that agreed to the pesification of their National Guaranteed Loans;

 

   

holders of new bonds (such as Boden) issued after the Government announced the suspension of debt payments; and

 

   

certain other categories of public debt.

2005 Debt Exchange

On January 14, 2005, Argentina invited holders of 152 different series of securities on which it had defaulted in 2001 to exchange their defaulted debt for 2038 Par Bonds, 2045 Quasi-Par Bonds, 2033 Discount Bonds and 2035 GDP-Linked Securities. The aggregate eligible amount of securities that were eligible to participate in the exchange (including principal of the eligible securities plus accrued but unpaid interest accumulated through December 2001) was approximately U.S.$81.8 billion. The aggregate eligible amount of securities tendered in the 2005 Debt Exchange was (in each case together with past due interest) approximately U.S.$62.3 billion, representing 76.2% of the aggregate eligible amount of eligible securities.

Depending on the security tendered and the time of tender, holders of eligible securities who participated in the 2005 Debt Exchange were entitled to receive, in exchange for their securities, different combinations of the following:

 

   

the 2038 Par Bonds due December 31, 2038;

 

   

the 2033 Discount Bonds due December 31, 2033;

 

   

the 2045 Quasi-Par Bonds due December 31, 2045; and

 

   

the 2035 GDP-Linked Securities with a notional amount of GDP-linked securities expiring no later than December 15, 2035.

Brady bondholders tendered Brady Bonds for an aggregate principal amount of approximately U.S.$2.8 billion and €235 million and received their present value in cash from the redemption of the Brady Bonds’ principal collateral.

2010 Debt Exchange

On April 30, 2010, Argentina launched an invitation to holders of the securities issued in the 2005 Debt Exchange and of 149 different series of securities on which it had defaulted in 2001 to exchange such debt for the new securities described below and, in certain cases, a cash payment (the “April Invitation”).

Holders of eligible securities who participated in either the April Invitation or in the offer conducted by Argentina in Japan concurrently with the April Invitation were entitled to receive, in exchange for their securities, different combinations of the following:

 

   

the 2033 Discount Bonds (2010) due December 2033 and denominated in U.S. dollars, euros, Japanese yen and pesos;

 

   

the 2038 Par Bonds (2010) due December 2038 and denominated in U.S. dollars, euros, Japanese yen and pesos;

 

   

the 2017 Globals due 2017 and denominated in U.S. dollars; and

 

   

the 2035 GDP-Linked Securities (2010) expiring no later than December 2035 and denominated in U.S. dollars, euros, Japanese yen and pesos.

 

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In December 2010, Argentina launched a reopening of the April Invitation in the domestic market (the “December Invitation”). The December Invitation closed on December 31, 2010.

Holders of eligible securities who participated in the December Invitation were entitled to receive, in exchange for their securities, different combinations of the following:

 

   

2033 Discount Bonds (2010) denominated in U.S. dollars and pesos;

 

   

2017 Globals; and

 

   

2035 GDP-Linked Securities (2010) denominated in U.S. dollars and pesos.

The aggregate eligible amount of securities in default tendered in the 2010 Debt Exchange, totaled approximately U.S.$12.4 billion, representing approximately 66.2% of the aggregate eligible amount of eligible securities.

Brady Bond Invitation

During December 2010, Argentina announced an invitation to the holders of the Brady Bonds, or the “Brady Invitation,” to tender their Brady Bonds in exchange for a combination of 2033 Discount Bonds (2010), 2017 Globals, 2035 GDP-linked Securities (2010) and cash payment. The Brady Invitation was, however, subject to the requirement that the Court of Appeals affirm the lower court’s ruling allowing the release, liquidation and transfer to the tendering holders of the proceeds of the collateral securing the tendered Brady Bonds. On July 20, 2011, the Court of Appeals reversed the lower court. As a result, on August 5, 2011, Argentina cancelled the Brady Invitation without accepting any tenders. All tenders under the Brady Invitation were automatically deemed rejected.

2020 Debt Exchanges

Bonds Governed by Foreign Law

On April 21, 2020, the Republic invited holders of its foreign currency external bonds issued under its 2005 indenture and 2016 indenture holding approximately U.S.$66.5 billion aggregate principal amount, to exchange such bonds for new bonds. The invitation contemplated the use of collective action clauses included in the terms and conditions of the respective bonds, whereby the decision by certain majorities would bind holders that do not tender into the exchange offer. After announcing the invitation, representatives of the Republic held several rounds of discussions with holders of such bonds relating to the terms of the invitation.

On August 17, 2020, the Republic amended the invitation to incorporate bondholders’ feedback and on August 31, 2020 it announced that it had obtained bondholders’ consents required to exchange and or modify 99.01% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of all series of eligible bonds invited to participate in the exchange offer. The invitation settled on September 4, 2020. As a result of the invitation, the average interest rate paid by the Republic’s foreign currency external bonds was lowered to 3.07%, with a maximum rate of 5.0%, compared to an average interest rate of 7.0% and maximum rate of 8.28% prior to the invitation. In addition, the aggregate amount outstanding of the Republic’s foreign currency external bonds was reduced by 1.9% and the average maturity of such bonds was extended.

Bonds Governed by Argentine Law

On April 5, 2020, the Government enacted Decree No. 346/2020 (i) deferring the payments of principal and interest on certain of its foreign currency bonds governed by Argentine law until December 31, 2020, or until such earlier date as the Ministry of Economy may determine, taking into account the degree of advance in the process designed to restore the sustainability of the Republic’s public debt, and (ii) authorizing the Ministry of Economy to conduct liability management transactions or exchange offers, or to implement restructuring measures affecting foreign currency bonds governed by Argentine law which payments have been deferred pursuant to such Decree.

On August 18, 2020, the Republic offered holders of its foreign currency bonds governed by Argentine law to exchange such bonds for new bonds, on terms that were substantially comparable to the terms of the invitation made to holders of foreign law-governed bonds. On September 18, 2020, the Republic announced that holders representing 99.4% of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of all series of eligible bonds invited to participate in the local exchange offer had participated. As a result of the exchange offer, the average interest rate paid by the Republic’s foreign currency bonds governed by Argentine law was lowered to 2.4%, compared to an average interest rate of 7.6% prior to the exchange. In addition, the exchange offer extended the average maturity of such bonds.

 

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The Pari Passu Litigation and the Settlement Proposal

Following the Republic’s default on its debt at the end of 2001, creditors filed numerous lawsuits against the Republic in several jurisdictions, including the United States. For additional information regarding litigation in the United States, including the pari passu litigation and the Republic’s Settlement Proposal to settle claims on the Untendered Debt, see “—Legal Proceedings.”

Indirect Debt

The Government guarantees principal and interest payments on certain debt obligations of the provinces and other national and private entities. A portion of these Government guarantees is secured by assets or tax receivables of the Government.

As of December 31, 2023, the Government guaranteed third-party obligations for an aggregate amount of U.S.$9.4 billion (including past due principal and interest) as compared to U.S.$9.2 billion as of December 31, 2022, consisting of the following obligations:

 

   

U.S.$3.2 billion in provincial debt (including the City of Buenos Aires), all of which was secured by assets of the issuer;

 

   

U.S.$527.8 million in debt owed by public sector entities other than the Government (such as Banco de la Nación Argentina); and

 

   

U.S.$5.6 billion in debt of private sector entities.

None of these guarantees were secured by assets of the Republic.

Secured Debt

Certain of the Government’s debt obligations are secured by pledges of specific assets, including tax receivables and other forms of collateral. A description of these security arrangements follows:

National Guaranteed Loans. These peso-denominated loans are secured by a pledge of the Government’s share of the revenue derived from the tax on financial transactions and co-participation taxes (i.e., taxes the Government is required to share with the provinces under the Co-Participation Law). As of December 31, 2023, the outstanding principal amount of National Guaranteed Loans was approximately U.S.$456.8 million.

Spanish Bonds. In 1993, as part of the Brady restructuring, the Government issued unsecured bonds maturing in 2008 (instead of 30-year Brady Bonds) to Spanish banks. These bonds were guaranteed by the Spanish government, which performed under its guarantee following the Government’s suspension of debt payments in 2001. In 2014, the Government settled on all amounts owed to the Spanish government for a total payment of U.S.$93.7 million, and reached an agreement on a payment schedule. As of December 31, 2023, the amount outstanding owed to the Spanish government totaled U.S.$18.8 million.

Evolution of Public Debt

From 2019 through 2023, the Republic’s total gross public debt (including Untendered Debt) increased by 14.7% from U.S.$323.1 billion as of December 31, 2019 to U.S.$370.7 billion as of December 31, 2023, mainly as a result of debt issuances exceeding amortization payments and disbursements under the SBA entered into with the IMF. The nominal depreciation of the peso and the effect of CER on indexed debt reduced the incidence of peso-denominated debt when expressed in U.S. dollars.

As of December 31, 2023, foreign currency-denominated debt totaled U.S.$266.8 billion and represented 72.0% of total gross public debt compared to U.S.$265.4 billion and 66.9% of total gross public debt as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, 44.8% of the Republic’s total public debt was held by public sector entities, and 35.4% of the Republic’s total foreign currency-denominated debt was held by public sector entities as of December 31, 2023.

 

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The following table sets forth information on the Republic’s total gross public debt as of the dates indicated.

Total Gross Public Debt (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Peso-denominated Debt: (2)

          

Performing

   U.S.$ 71,581     U.S.$ 78,979     U.S.$ 107,808     U.S.$ 131,113     U.S.$ 103,744  

Non-performing principal arrears

     2       2       2       2       1  

Untendered Debt(5)

     63       49       56       60       32  

Total peso-denominated debt

     71,646       79,029       107,866       131,175       103,777  

As a % of total gross public debt

     22.2     23.5     29.7     33.1     32.0

Foreign currency-denominated debt:(4)

          

Performing

     248,945       253,996       252,881       262,952       264,481  

Non-performing debt not yet due (3)

     60       60       60       60       60  

Non-performing principal arrears

     34       36       34       32       33  

Non-performing interest arrears

     8       9       8       8       8  

Non-performing compensatory interest

     —        —        —        —        —   

Untendered Debt(5)

     2,372       2,451       2,383       2,328       2,313  

Total foreign currency-denominated debt

     251,419       256,553       255,367       265,381       266,896  

As a % of total gross public debt

     77.8     76.5     70.3     66.9     72.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross public debt (including arrears) (6)

     323,065       335,582       363,233       396,555       370,673  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Collateral and other credits

     (1,754     (1,734     (1,764     (1,818     (1,279
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total public debt less collateral and other credits (including arrears)

   U.S.$ 321,311     U.S.$ 333,848     U.S.$ 361,468     U.S.$ 394,737     U.S.$ 369,394  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Memorandum items:

          

Total gross public debt (including arrears) as a % of GDP(7)

     89.8     103.8     80.6     85.0     156.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross public debt (including arrears) as a % of annual Government revenues

     455.6     440.2     397.2     478.0     936.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Exchange rate(8)

     59.90       84.15       102.75       177.13       808.45  

CER(8)

     18.70       25.49       38.64       73.50       184.93  

 

(1)

Total debt was calculated using the exchange rate at the end of each period.

(2)

Includes public debt denominated in local currency (public bonds, National Guaranteed Loans, temporary advances from the Central Bank, Treasury notes, Treasury bills, commercial-bank debt, promissory notes and others). Includes debt instruments initially issued in U.S. dollars but converted into pesos. For a list of these instruments, see “—Debt Record.”

(3)

For a definition of non-performing debt, see “Certain Defined Terms and Conventions—Certain Defined Terms.”

(4)

Includes public debt denominated in foreign currencies (multilateral and bilateral debt, public bonds, Treasury notes, Treasury bills, commercial-bank debt and others).

(5)

Includes claims on principal and/or interest that the Republic considers time-barred.

(6)

Includes Untendered Debt, collateral and other credits representing an obligation from the main obligor to reimburse the Republic for amounts paid.

(7)

GDP figures are expressed in nominal terms.

(8)

Exchange rate and CER used to calculate public debt totals for end of each period.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

In 2019, the Republic’s total gross public debt decreased by 2.7% to U.S.$323.1 billion (89.8% of nominal GDP). In 2019, the Republic:

 

   

issued U.S.$53.5 billion in peso-denominated debt;

 

   

issued U.S.$45.2 billion in foreign currency-denominated debt; and

 

   

capitalized interests for U.S.$5.7 billion

 

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These factors were more than offset by principal payments that totaled U.S.$93.2 billion, exchange rate fluctuations that reduced debt by U.S.$20.4 billion, and CER-indexation adjustments that reduced debt by U.S.$1.1 billion.

In 2020, the Republic’s total gross public debt (measured in U.S.$) increased by 3.9% to U.S.$335.6 billion (103.8% of nominal GDP). In 2020, the Republic:

 

   

issued U.S.$78.6 billion in peso-denominated debt;

 

   

issued U.S.$120.2 billion in foreign currency-denominated debt, of which U.S.$109.9 billion were issued as part of the 2020 Debt Exchanges pursuant to which the Republic also cancelled U.S.$108.5 billion of existing foreign currency-denominated bonds and bills (see “—Debt Record—2020 Debt Exchanges”); and

 

   

capitalized interests for U.S.$1.1 billion.

These factors were partially offset by principal payments that totaled U.S.$66.8 billion, exchange rate fluctuations that reduced debt by U.S.$10.5 billion, and CER-indexation adjustments that reduced debt by U.S.$1.2 billion.

In 2021, the Republic’s total gross public debt (measured in U.S.$) increased by 8.2% to U.S.$363.2 billion (80.6% of nominal GDP). In 2021, the Republic:

 

   

issued U.S.$78.0 billion in peso-denominated debt;

 

   

issued U.S.$19.8 billion in foreign currency-denominated debt;

 

   

capitalized interests for U.S.$260.5 billion; and

 

   

made CER-indexation adjustments for U.S.$11.5 billion.

These factors were partially offset by principal payments that totaled U.S.$72.7 billion and exchange rate fluctuations that reduced debt by U.S.$8.7 billion.

In 2022, the Republic’s total gross public debt (measured in U.S.$) increased by 9.2% to U.S.$396.6 billion (85.0% of nominal GDP). In 2022, the Republic:

 

   

issued U.S.$123.8 billion in peso-denominated debt;

 

   

issued U.S.$42.9 billion in foreign currency-denominated debt; and

 

   

made CER-indexation adjustments for U.S.$7.2 billion.

These factors were partially offset by principal payments that totaled U.S.$116.7 billion and exchange rate fluctuations that reduced debt by U.S.$24.0 billion.

In 2023, the Republic’s total gross public debt (measured in U.S.$) decreased by 6.5% to U.S.$370.7 billion (156.6% of nominal GDP). In 2023, the Republic:

 

   

issued U.S.$168.1 billion in peso-denominated debt;

 

   

issued U.S.$34.1 billion in foreign currency-denominated debt; and

 

   

made CER-indexation adjustments for U.S.$26.1 billion.

These factors were partially offset by principal payments that totaled U.S.$159.2 billion, exchange rate fluctuations that reduced debt by U.S.$29.6 billion, CER-indexation adjustments that reduced debt by U.S.$37.4 billion and payment of letters of guarantee that reduced debt by U.S.$1.8 billion.

The following table sets forth information on intra-public sector issuances between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2023, which provided financing to the Treasury.

 

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Intra-Public Sector Issuances (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     For the year ended December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Temporary advances(2)

   U.S.$ 16,636      U.S.$ 15,656      U.S.$ 24,225      U.S.$ 18,539      U.S.$ 16,799  

Peso-denominated debt

     16,636        15,656        24,225        18,539        16,799  

Foreign currency-denominated debt

     —         —         —         —         —   

Nontransferable notes Central Bank

     1,327        3,358        13,764        11,956        14,907  

Peso-denominated debt

     —         —         —         —         —   

Foreign currency-denominated debt (3)

     1,327        3,358        13,764        11,956        14,907  

Treasury notes

     4,795        4,319        3,307        4,588        3,868  

Peso-denominated debt(4)

     3,689        2,476        1,131        2,245        1,541  

Foreign currency-denominated debt (5)

     1,106        1,843        2,176        2,342        2,328  

Promissory notes

     —         932        861        1,222        —   

Peso-denominated debt(6)

     —         932        861        1,222        —   

Foreign currency-denominated debt

     —         —         —         —         —   

Bontes

     —         —         257        111        56  

Peso-denominated debt(7)

     —         —         257        111        56  

Foreign currency-denominated debt

     —         —         —         —         —   

Bonares

     6,203        —         —         —         —   

Peso-denominated debt(8)

     1,058        —         —         —         —   

Foreign currency-denominated debt(9)

     5,145        —         —         —         —   

Boncers

     1,861        —         —         —         —   

Peso-denominated debt(10)

     1,861        —         —         —         —   

Foreign currency-denominated debt

     —         —         —         —         —   

Treasury bills

     738        —         —         —         —   

Peso-denominated debt

     —         —         —         —         —   

Foreign currency-denominated debt(11)

     738        —         —         —         —   

Loans from BNA

     521        —         —         —         —   

Peso-denominated debt

     521        —         —         —         —   

Foreign currency-denominated debt

     —         —         —         —         —   

Total Argentine securities issued

   U.S.$ 32,081      U.S.$ 24,265      U.S.$ 42,414      U.S.$ 36,415      U.S.$ 35,631  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

The figures in the table show the amount in U.S. dollars of financings entered into with Argentine public agencies, which provided new financing to the Treasury in each of the periods indicated in the table. The total amount for each period set forth in the table does not purport to show the outstanding amount with respect to such financings as of any specified date, but rather purports to show the total amount in U.S. dollars of such financings between January 1 and December 31 for each of the years in the period 2019 to 2023. The exchange rate used is that of the issue date.

(2)

Financing from the Central Bank.

(3)

Includes nontransferable notes issued to the Central Bank. The applicable rate of these notes is the lesser of LIBOR minus 1% and the yield of international reserves and maturity dates between December 30, 2029 and December 30, 2032.

(4)

Treasury notes with an interest rate of BADLAR and maturity dates between January 21, 2019 and June 16, 2023.

(5)

Treasury notes with an interest rate of BADLAR and zero rate and maturity dates between March 13, 2020 and March 1, 2023.

(6)

Promissory notes with maturity dates between March 15, 2021 and March 15, 2023.

(7)

Bontes with an interest rate of BADLAR and BADLAR plus 100 basis point and maturing dates between August 8, 2019 and July 5, 2030.

(8)

Bonares with an interest rate ranging from BADLAR plus 200 basis points and maturing on February 8, 2021.

(9)

Bonares with a fixed interest rates ranging from 7% to 9% and maturity dates between May 29, 2020 and April 18, 2037.

(10)

Boncers with an interest rate ranging from 2.25% to 4.25% and maturity dates between April 28, 2020 and November 29, 2022.

(11)

Treasury bills with zero rate and maturity dates between January 17, 2020 and February 28, 2020.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

 

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Debt by Interest Rate

The following tables set forth information on the Republic’s total gross public debt by type of interest rates.

Total Gross Public Debt by Type of Interest Rate (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Fixed rate(2)

   U.S.$ 161,098      U.S.$ 174,449      U.S.$ 183,706      U.S.$ 178,009      U.S.$ 171,418  

Floating rate

     122,267        125,274        124,398        139,931        139,846  

BADLAR

     6,449        2,419        2,152        2,378        670  

LIBOR

     18,557        21,322        23,693        8,649        3,866  

LIBOR minus 1%(3)

     50,013        53,258        57,509        64,837        67,190  

Floating IADB Rate

     704        93        85        —         —   

IMF

     44,128        45,965        40,952        45,707        40,899  

SOFR

     —         —         —         18,353        27,196  

Others(4)

     2,415        2,218        7        7        25  

Zero rate(5)

     39,699        35,859        55,129        78,615        59,409  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross public debt

   U.S.$ 323,065      U.S.$ 335,582      U.S.$ 363,233      U.S.$ 396,555      U.S.$ 370,673  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes past due principal and interest (including Untendered Debt).

(2)

Includes bonds, the principal amount of which is adjusted for inflation in the Republic as measured by CER. The amount of such CER-linked debt (including past due principal and interest payments) was U.S.$46.2 billion as of December 31, 2023.

(3)

Nontransferable notes issued to the Central Bank (Central Bank 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2029, 2030, 2031 and 2032), which were issued as compensation for the cancellation of debt with the IMF, private debt holders, multilateral agencies and bilateral lenders. The applicable rate of these notes is the lower of LIBOR minus 1% and the yield of international reserves.

(4)

Includes savings accounts interest rate and others.

(5)

Includes temporary advances from the Central Bank, guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy projects, treasury notes, promissory notes and discount rate treasury bills. As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$14.2 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy was U.S.$7.4 billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$1.3 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$2.3 billion, the amount of Guarantees was U.S.$2.0 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$2.0 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$9.4 billion. As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$15.0 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy was U.S.$7.1 billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$0.8 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$2.2 billion, the amount of Guarantees was U.S.$1.9 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$1.6 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$7.0 billion. As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$21.1 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy was U.S.$6.4 billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$0.8 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$1.9 billion, the amount of Guarantees was U.S.$1.5 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$2.1 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$21.2 billion. As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$15.8 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy was U.S.$5.1billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$1.0 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$1.7 billion, the amount of Guarantees was U.S.$1.3 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$2.3 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$29.8 billion. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$5.0 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy was U.S.$4.7 billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$0.2 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$1.6 billion, the amount of Guarantees was U.S.$1.5 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$1.2 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$4.8 billion.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

 

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Total Gross Public Debt by Type of Interest Rate (1)

(% of total gross public debt)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Fixed rate(2)

     49.9     52.0     50.6     44.9     46.2

Floating rate

     37.8       37.3       34.2       35.3       37.7  

BADLAR

     2.0       0.7       0.6       0.6       0.2  

LIBOR

     5.7       6.4       6.5       2.2       1.0  

LIBOR minus 1%(3)

     15.5       15.9       15.8       16.4       18.1  

Floating IADB Rate

     0.2       —        0.02       —        —   

IMF

     13.7       13.7       11.3       11.5       11.0  

SOFR

           4.6       7.3  

Others(4)

     0.7       0.7       —        —        —   

Zero rate(5)

     12.3       10.7       15.2       19.8       16.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross public debt

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes past due principal and interest (including Untendered Debt).

(2)

Includes bonds, the principal amount of which is adjusted for inflation in the Republic as measured by CER. The amount of such CER-linked debt (including past due principal and interest payments) was U.S.$46.2 billion as of December 31, 2023.

(3)

Nontransferable notes issued to the Central Bank (Central Bank 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2029, 2030, 2031 and 2032), which were issued as compensation for the cancellation of debt with the IMF, private debt holders, multilateral agencies and bilateral lenders. The applicable rate of these notes is the minimum of LIBOR minus 1% and the yield of international reserves.

(4)

Includes savings accounts interest rate and others.

(5)

Includes temporary advances from the Central Bank, guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy projects, treasury notes, promissory notes and discount rate treasury bills. As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$14.2 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy projects was U.S.$7.4 billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$1.3 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$2.3 billion, the amount of Guarantees (Avales) was U.S.$2.0 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$2.0 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$9.4 billion. As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$15.0 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy projects was U.S.$7.1 billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$0.8 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$2.2 billion, the amount of Guarantees (Avales) was U.S.$1.9 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$1.6 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$7.0 billion. As of December 31, 2021, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$21.1 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy projects was U.S.$6.4 billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$0.8 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$1.9 billion, the amount of Guarantees (Avales) was U.S.$1.5 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$2.1 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$21.2 billion. As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$15.8 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy projects was U.S.$5.1 billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$1.0 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$1.7 billion, the amount of Guarantees (Avales) was U.S.$1.3 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$2.3 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$29.8 billion. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate amount outstanding under temporary advances from the Central Bank was U.S.$5.0 billion, the amount of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy projects was U.S.$4.7 billion, the amount of promissory notes was U.S.$0.2 billion, the amount of treasury notes was U.S.$1.6 billion, the amount of Guarantees (Avales) was U.S.$1.5 billion, the amount of commercial bank loans was U.S.$1.2 billion and the amount of treasury bills was U.S.$4.8 billion.

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

As of December 31, 2023, the composition of the public debt (excluding Untendered Debt) by interest rate included:

 

   

fixed rate peso-denominated debt, such as Boncers, Bontes, 2045 Quasi-Par Bonds, 2033 Discount Bonds, National Guaranteed Loans, 2038 Par Bonds, Promissory Notes, Bonar, Bocones and others;

 

   

fixed rate foreign currency-denominated debt, such as U.S. dollar-denominated and euro-denominated bonds issued in the 2020 Debt Exchanges, multilateral debt, bilateral debt, 2038 Par Bonds, commercial banks loans, 2033 Discount Bonds and others;

 

D-145


   

zero rate peso-denominated debt, such as Treasury bills, temporary advances from the Central Bank, commercial bank loans, Promissory notes, Treasury notes and others;

 

   

zero rate foreign currency-denominated debt, such as Guaranteed Treasury notes for renewable energy projects, Treasury notes, Guarantees and multilateral debt;

 

   

floating rate peso-denominated debt, such as Bontes, Treasury notes, Bocones and others, and all debt issued at BADLAR, savings, Lebacs or term deposit interest rates; and

 

   

floating rate foreign currency-denominated debt, such as LIBOR rate instruments, loans from multilateral organizations (including the IMF) and bilateral debt, nontransferable notes issued to the Central Bank (Central Bank 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2029, 2030, 2031 and 2032, in compensation for advances applied to cancel the debt with private creditors, multilateral organizations and bilateral lenders), and nontransferable notes issued to the Central Bank for an increase in the Republic of Argentina’s quota in the IMF, a portion of the bilateral debt and IADB rate loans.

Maturity Profile

For purposes of its debt maturity profile, the Republic divides its debt into three categories: short-term debt, medium- and long-term debt, arrears and Untendered Debt. Principal and interest arrears, having already matured, are not included in the amount of short-term or medium- and long-term debt but are included in the total amount of debt outstanding. Compensatory and default interest and Untendered Debt are also included in the total amount of debt outstanding.

The following tables set forth the Republic’s total public debt by term as of the dates indicated.

Total Gross Public Debt by Term

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Short-term(1)

   U.S.$ 19,365      U.S.$ 22,614      U.S.$ 34,921      U.S.$ 48,688      U.S.$ 15,663  

Medium-term and long-term(2)

     301,221        310,421        325,828        345,437        352,622  

Arrears:

              

Principal

     35        37        36        34        34  

Interest

     8        9        8        8        8  

Compensatory Interest(3)

     —         —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total arrears

     43        46        44        42        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Untendered Debt(4)

     2,435        2,500        2,439        2,388        2,346  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross public debt(5)

   U.S.$ 323,065      U.S.$ 335,582      U.S.$ 363,233      U.S.$ 396,555      U.S.$ 370,673  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Debt with original maturity of one year or less.

(2)

Debt with original maturity of more than one year.

(3)

Compensatory interest is estimated by reference to contractual rates.

(4)

Includes claims on principal and/or interest that the Republic considers time-barred.

(5)

Amounts include Untendered Debt.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

 

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Total Gross Public Debt by Term

(% of total gross public debt)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Short-term(1)

     6.0     6.7     9.6     12.3     4.2

Medium-term and long-term(2)

     93.2       92.5       89.7       87.1       95.1  

Arrears:

     —        —        —        —        —   

Principal

     —        —        —        —        —   

Interest

     —        —        —        —        —   

Compensatory Interest(3)

     —        —        —        —        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total arrears

     —        —        —        —        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Untendered Debt(4)

     0.8       0.7       0.7       0.6       0.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross public debt(5)

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Debt with original maturity of one year or less.

(2)

Debt with original maturity of more than one year. Includes Bonares due 2024, Bonares due 2025 and Bonares due 2037 issued in 2017, 2018 and 2019 as part of certain transactions granting the Republic the right to cause the cancellation of such Bonares upon the payment by the Republic of the amounts specified under such transactions. The outstanding Bonares due 2024, Bonares due 2025 and Bonares due 2037 involved in the sales were cancelled in August 2019.

(3)

Compensatory interest is estimated by reference to contractual rates.

(4)

Includes claims on principal and/or interest that the Republic considers time-barred.

(5)

Amounts include Untendered Debt.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

The Republic’s short-term debt decreased to 4.2% of total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023 from 6.0% as of December 31, 2019, primarily due to an increase in (i) bonds from U.S.$0 in 2019 to U.S.$6.5 billion in 2023 and (ii) in treasury bills from U.S.$8.2 billion in 2019 to U.S.$6.3 billion in 2023, and a decrease in (iii) promissory notes from U.S.$1.3 billion in 2019 to U.S.$0 in 2023 and (iv) temporary advances from the Central Bank from US$9.4 billion to US$2.9 billion.

In 2023, the Republic’s short-term debt decreased by 67.8% to U.S.$15.7 billion from U.S.$48.7 billion in 2022, primarily due to an decrease in (i) Treasury bills from U.S.$24.0 billion in 2022 to U.S.$6.3 billion in 2023, (ii) bonds from U.S.$14.3 billion in 2022 to U.S.$6.5 billion in 2023, (iii) treasury notes from U.S.$24.0 billion in 2022 to U.S.$6.3 billion in 2023, and (iv) temporary advances from the Central Bank from U.S.$9.4 billion in 2022 to U.S.$2.9 billion in 2023.

The Republic’s medium- and long-term debt increased in relative terms to 95.1% of total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023 compared to 93.2% of total gross public debt as of December 31, 2019, and increased in absolute terms by U.S.$51.4 billion to U.S.$352.6 billion as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$301.2 billion as of December 31, 2019, primarily due to disbursements under the SBA entered into with the IMF, issuances exceeding amortization payments, inflation adjustment of certain outstanding bonds, and compounding interest. These factors were partially offset by the nominal depreciation of the peso, which reduced peso-denominated debt when expressed in U.S. dollars.

 

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Distribution of Total Gross Public Debt by Type of Creditor and Term

The following tables set forth information relating to the Republic’s performing and non-performing public debt (including Untendered Debt) by creditor.

Total Gross Performing and Non-Performing Public Debt by Creditor

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Performing debt

              

Medium-term and long-term debt:

              

Official debt:

              

Multilateral debt:

              

IMF

   U.S.$ 44,128      U.S.$ 45,965      U.S.$ 40,952      U.S.$ 45,707      U.S.$ 40,899  

Inter-American Development Bank

     12,647        13,368        14,052        15,648        16,511  

World Bank

     7,128        7,721        8,517        9,205        9,889  

Corporación Andina de

Fomento

     3,656        3,649        3,781        3,931        5,435  

FONPLATA

     237        323        404        491        461  

European Investment Bank

     86        106        122        211        225  

International Fund for the Development of Agriculture

     41        39        34        36        48  

Central American Bank for Economic Integration

     3        3        79        138        590  

The OPEC Fund for International Development

     75        94        124        145        158  

Total multilateral debt

     68,001        71,268        68,065        75,512        74,215  

Paris Club

     1,941        2,240        1,714        1,928        1,613  

Bilateral debt

     3,457        3,248        2,996        3,122        3,059  

Total bilateral debt

     5,398        5,488        4,710        5,049        4,672  

Total official debt

     73,399        76,756        72,775        80,561        78,887  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Bonds:

              

Peso-denominated bonds

     38,723        47,590        60,334        65,639        85,521  

Foreign currency-denominated bonds

     155,429        166,336        170,035        173,891        177,904  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total bonds

     194,153        213,926        230,369        239,530        263,425  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Treasury bills:(1)

              

Peso-denominated bills

     5,840        —         2,187        7,829        —   

Foreign currency-denominated bills

     8,704        30        7        —         —   

Total Treasury bills

     14,544        30        2,193        7,829        —   

Temporary advances from the Central

Bank

     4,842        6,611        7,864        6,380        2,193  

Treasury notes:(2)

              

Peso-denominated notes

     185        161        125        66        —   

Foreign currency denominated notes

     1,016        938        705        493        45  

Total Treasury notes

     1,202        1,098        829        560        45  

Commercial banks

     2,284        2,029        2,530        2,745        1,195  

National Guaranteed Loans

     640        605        751        829        457  

Guaranteed Debt

              

Promissory notes

     332        306        379        418        230  

Guarantees (Avales)

     2,397        1,920        1,667        1,428        1,470  

Guaranteed Treasury notes

     7,368        7,080        6,410        5,097        4,659  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Guaranteed Debt

     10,098        9,307        8,456        6,943        6,359  

 

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     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Total medium-term and long-term debt

     301,161        310,361        325,768        345,377        352,562  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Short-term debt:

              

Bonds:(3)

              

Peso-denominated bonds

     —         2,842        —         14,301        6,525  

Foreign-currency-denominated bonds

     —         —         —         —         —   

Total Bonds

     —         2,842        —         14,301        6,525  

Treasury bills:(4)

              

Peso-denominated bills

     4,319        9,060        19,041        21,990        5,097  

Foreign currency-denominated bills

     —         —         —         —         1,174  

Total Treasury bills

     4,319        9,060        19,041        21,990        6,271  

Treasury notes:(5)

              

Peso-denominated

     2,752        438        550        857        —   

Foreign currency-denominated bills

     1,106        1,061        1,096        1,134        —   

Total Treasury notes

     3,859        1,499        1,647        1,992        —   

Temporary advances from the Central Bank

     9,395        8,369        13,285        9,389        2,867  

Promissory notes

     1,291        844        827        1,016        —   

Guarantees (Avales)

     —         —         121        0.5        —   

Commercial banks

     501        —         —         —         —   

Total short-term debt

     19,365        22,614        34,921        48,688        15,663  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total performing debt

     320,525        332,975        360,689        394,064        368,225  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-performing debt(6)

              

Non-performing debt not yet due:

              

Medium-term and long-term debt:

              

Bilateral debt(7)

     —         —         —         —         —   

Suppliers

     —         —         —         —         —   

Commercial banks

     60        60        60        60        60  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-performing debt not yet due

     60        60        60        60        60  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-performing principal and interest arrears:

              

Paris Club

     —         —         —         —         —   

Other bilateral debt

     —         —         —         —         —   

Commercial banks

     33        36        34        32        33  

Suppliers

     10        10        10        11        10  

Compensatory interest

     —         —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-performing principal and interest arrears

     43        46        44        42        42  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total non-performing debt

     104        107        105        103        103  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Untendered Debt(8)

     2,435        2,500        2,439        2,388        2,346  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross public debt including arrears(9)

   U.S.$ 323,065      U.S.$ 335,582      U.S.$ 363,233      U.S.$ 396,555      U.S.$ 370,673  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes medium and long term negotiable instruments issued by public auctioning or private placements, such as Letes, Lecaps, Lecer, Lelink, Lepas and Ledes.

(2)

Includes medium and long term non-negotiable instruments held by public-sector entities or certain private entities specifically, China Machinery Engineering Argentina S.A. (“CMEA”).

(3)

Includes Bonares due 2024, Bonares due 2025 and Bonares due 2037 issued in 2017, 2018 and 2019 as part of certain transactions granting the Republic the right to cause the cancellation of such Bonares upon the payment by the Republic of the amounts specified under such transactions. The outstanding Bonares due 2024, Bonares due 2025 and Bonares due 2037 involved in the sales were cancelled in August 2019.

(4)

Includes short term negotiable instruments issued by public auctioning or private placements, such as Letes, Lecaps, Lecer, Lelink, Lebad, Ledes and Lelites.

(5)

Includes short term non-negotiable instruments held by public-sector entities or certain private entities.

(6)

For a definition of non-performing debt, see “Certain Defined Terms and Conventions—Certain Defined Terms.”

 

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(7)

Bilateral debt is debt with sovereign governments.

(8)

Includes claims on principal and/or interest that the Republic considers time-barred.

(9)

Figures include Untendered Debt.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Total Gross Performing and Non-Performing Public Debt by Creditor

(as a % of total gross public debt)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Performing debt

          

Medium-term and long-term debt:

          

Official debt:

          

Multilateral debt:

          

IMF

     13.7     13.7     11.3     11.5     11.0

Inter-American Development Bank

     3.9       4.0       3.9       3.9       4.5  

World Bank

     2.2       2.3       2.3       2.3       2.7  

Corporación Andina de Fomento

     1.1       1.1       1.0       1.0       1.5  

FONPLATA

     0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1  

European Investment Bank

     —        —        0.03       0.05       0.06  

International Fund for the Development of Agriculture

     —        —        0.01       0.01       0.01  

Central American Bank for Economic Integration

     —        —        0.02       0.03       0.16  

The OPEC Fund for International Development

     —        —        0.03       0.04       0.04  

Total multilateral debt

     21.0       21.2       18.7       19.0       20.0  

Paris Club

     0.6       0.7       0.5       0.5       0.4  

Bilateral debt

     1.1       1.0       0.8       0.8       0.8  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total bilateral debt

     1.7       1.6       1.3       1.3       1.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total official debt

     22.7       22.9       20.0       20.3       21.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Bonds:

          

Peso-denominated bonds

     12.0       14.2       16.6       16.6       23.1  

Foreign currency-denominated bonds

     48.1       49.6       46.8       43.9       48.0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Bonds

     60.1       63.7       63.4       60.4       71.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Treasury Bills:

          

Peso-denominated treasury bills

     1.8       —        0.6       2.0       —   

Foreign currency-denominated treasury bills

     2.7       —        —        —        —   

Total Treasury Bills

     4.5       —        0.6       2.0       —   

Temporary advances from the Central Bank

     1.5       2.0       2.2       1.6       0.6  

Treasury notes

          

Peso-denominated treasury notes

     0.1       —        0.03       0.02       —   

Foreign currency-denominated treasury notes

     0.3       0.3       0.2       0.1       —   

Total Treasury notes

     0.4       0.3       0.2       0.1       —   

Commercial banks

     0.7       0.6       0.7       0.7       0.3  

National Guaranteed Loans

     0.2       0.2       0.2       0.2       0.1  

Guaranteed Debt:

          

Promissory notes

     0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1       0.1  

Guarantees (Avales)

     0.7       0.6       0.5       0.4       0.4  

Guaranteed Treasury notes

     2.3       2.1       1.8       1.3       1.3  

Total Guaranteed Debt

     3.1       2.8       2.3       1.8       1.7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total medium-term and long-term debt

     93.2       92.5       89.7       87.1       95.1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short-term debt:

          

Bonds:

          

Peso-denominated bonds

     —        0.8       —        3.6       1.8  

 

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     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Foreign currency-denominated bonds

     —        —        —        —        —   

Total Bonds

     —        0.8       —        3.6       1.8  

Treasury bills:

          

Peso-denominated bills

     1.3       2.7       5.2       5.5       1.4  

Foreign currency-denominated bills

     —        —        —        —        0.3  

Total Treasury bills

     1.3       2.7       5.2       5.5       1.7  

Treasury notes:

          

Peso-denominated treasury notes

     0.9       0.1       0.2       0.2       —   

Foreign currency-denominated treasury notes

     0.3       0.3       0.3       0.3       —   

Total Treasury notes

     1.2       0.4       0.5       0.5       —   

Temporary advances from the Central Bank

     2.9       2.5       3.7       2.4       0.8  

Promissory notes

     0.4       0.3       0.2       0.3       —   

Guarantees (Avales)

     —        —        0.03       —        —   

Commercial banks

     0.2       —        —        —        —   

Total short term debt

     6.0       6.7       9.6       12.3       4.2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total performing debt

     99.2       99.2       99.3       99.4       99.3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-performing debt (1)

          

Non-performing debt not yet due:

          

Medium-term and long-term debt:

          

Bilateral debt (2)

     —        —        —        —        —   

Suppliers

     —        —        —        —        —   

Commercial banks

     0.02       0.02       0.02       0.02       0.02  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-performing debt not yet due

     0.02       0.02       0.02       0.02       0.02  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-performing principal and interest arrears:

          

Paris Club

     —        —        —        —        —   

Other bilateral debt

     —        —        —        —        —   

Commercial banks

     0.01       0.01       0.01       0.01       0.01  

Suppliers

     —        —        —        —        —   

Compensatory interest

     —        —        —        —        —   

Total non-performing principal and interest arrears

     0.01       0.01       0.01       0.01       0.01  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-performing debt

     0.03       0.03       0.03       0.03       0.03  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Untendered Debt(3)

     0.8       0.7       0.7       0.6       0.6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross public debt (4)

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

For a definition of non-performing debt, see “Certain Defined Terms and Conventions—Certain Defined Terms.”

(2)

Bilateral debt is debt with sovereign governments.

(3)

Includes claims on principal and/or interest that the Republic considers time-barred.

(4)

Includes Untendered Debt.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Performing Debt

Performing Medium-term and long-term debt

Performing medium-term and long-term debt increased in relative terms to 95.6% of total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023 from 93.2% as of December 31, 2019, and increased by U.S.$51.4 billion in absolute terms to U.S.$352.6 billion as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$301.2 billion as of December 31, 2019, as a result of issuances of new bonds, treasury bills, temporary advances from the Central Bank, commercial banks, treasury notes, National Guaranteed Loans and Guarantees (Avales), disbursements under the SBA entered into with the IMF and inflation adjustments of certain outstanding bonds. This decrease was partially offset by a decrease in the issuance of guaranteed treasury notes for renewable energy projects, promissory notes, temporary advances and exchange rate fluctuations (the nominal depreciation of the euro, which reduced euro-denominated debt when expressed in U.S. dollars and the nominal depreciation of the peso, which reduced peso-denominated debt when expressed in U.S. dollars).

 

D-151


Performing Short-term debt

On August 28, 2019, the Government issued a decree deferring the scheduled payment date for 85% of the amounts due on short-term notes maturing in the fourth quarter of 2019, governed by Argentine law and held by institutional investors. Of the deferred amounts, 30% was repaid 90 days after the original payment date and the remaining 70% was repaid 180 days after the original payment date, except for payments under Lecaps due 2020 held domestically, which was repaid entirely 90 days after the original payment date. Amounts due on short-term notes held by individual investors was paid as originally scheduled.

As of December 31, 2023, 100.0% of the Republic’s short term debt was performing.

Changes in Total Gross Performing Public Debt by Creditor

Performing multilateral debt increased in relative terms to 20.0% of the Republic’s total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023 from 19.0% as of December 31, 2022, and decreased by U.S.$1.3 billion in absolute terms to U.S.$74.2 billion as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$75.5 billion as of December 31, 2022.

Performing bilateral debt remained stable relative to total gross public debt between December 2022 and December 2023, and decreased by U.S.$0.3 billion in absolute terms to U.S.$4.7 billion as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$5.0 billion as of December 31, 2022.

Performing bond debt increased in relative terms to 71.1% of the Republic’s total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023 from 60.4% as of December 31, 2022, and increased by U.S.$23.9 billion in absolute terms to U.S.$263.4 billion as of December 31, 2023, from U.S.$239.5 billion as of December 31, 2022.

During 2023, all medium-term and long-term Treasury bills were repaid.

Performing medium-term and long-term temporary advances from the Central Bank decreased in relative terms to 0.6% of the Republic’s total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023, from 1.6% as of December 31, 2022, and decreased by U.S.$4.2 billion in absolute terms to U.S.$2.2 billion as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$6.4 billion as of December 31, 2022.

Performing medium-term and long-term Treasury notes debt decreased in relative terms to almost 0% of the Republic’s total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023 from 0.1% as of December 31, 2022, and decreased by U.S.$514.4 million in absolute terms to U.S.$45.3 million as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$559.7 million as of December 31, 2022.

Performing commercial bank debt decreased in relative terms to 0.3% of the Republic’s total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023 from 0.7% as of December 31, 2022, and increased by U.S.$1.5 billion in absolute terms to U.S.$1.2 billion as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$2.7 billion as of December 31, 2022.

Performing national Guaranteed Loans decreased in relative terms to 0.1% of the Republic’s total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023from 0.2% as of December 31, 2022, and decreased by U.S.$371.8 million in absolute terms to U.S.$456.8 million as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$828.6 million as of December 31, 2022.

Performing guaranteed debt decreased in relative terms to 1.7% of the Republic’s total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023 from 1.8% as of December 31, 2022, and decreased by U.S.$0.6 billion in absolute terms to U.S.$6.4 billion as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$6.9 billion as of December 31, 2022.

Performing short-term debt decreased in relative terms to 4.2% of the Republic’s total gross public debt as of December 31, 2023 from 12.3% as of December 31, 2023, and decreased by U.S.$33.0 billion in absolute terms to U.S.$15.7 billion as of December 31, 2023 from U.S.$48.7 billion as of December 31, 2022.

Non-Performing Debt (excluding Untendered Debt)

Non-Performing Debt (excluding Untendered Debt) decreased from U.S.$104.0 million in December 31, 2019 to U.S.$102.8 million in December 31, 2023. Such decrease was driven by foreign exchange variations.

 

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Foreign Currency-Denominated Debt

The following tables set forth information regarding the Republic’s total foreign currency-denominated debt, including past due principal and interest and compensatory and default interest, as of the dates indicated.

Foreign Currency-Denominated Public Debt by Instrument (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Performing debt

   U.S.$ 248,945      U.S.$ 253,996      U.S.$ 252,881      U.S.$ 262,952      U.S.$ 264,481  

Multilateral debt

     68,001        71,268        68,065        75,512        74,215  

Bono Global

     —         68,317        67,964        67,685        66,211  

Non-transferable notes to the Central Bank 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2029, 2030, 2031 and 2032

     50,013        53,371        57,509        61,707        67,190  

Bono R.A.

     —         43,471        43,510        43,628        43,628  

Guaranteed Treasury Notes for Renewable Energy Projects

     7,368        7,080        6,410        5,097        4,659  

Bilateral Debt

     5,398        5,488        4,710        5,049        4,672  

Treasury Notes

     —         1,999        1,801        1,628        1,219  

2038 Par Bonds (2010)

     1,789        744        695        650        792  

Commercial banks

     279        424        438        402        348  

2038 Par Bonds

     12,329        203        179        132        —   

2033 Discount Bonds

     14,885        80        69        52        —   

2033 Discount Bonds (2010)

     4,500        34        30        23        70  

Bontes

     4        4        4        4        4  

Bocones

     3        3        3        3        3  

Bonar

     22,182        55        37        —         —   

Bonar 2024

     6,634        44        26        —         —   

of which Agreements Bonar 24(2)

     —         —         —         —         —   

Treasury Bills

     10,826        30        7        —         —   

Bonar 2025

     1,536        3        2        —         —   

of which Agreements Bonar 25(3)

     —         —         —         —         —   

Promissory notes

     18        1        —         —         —   

Birad

     35,250        —         —         —         —   

Birae

     5,885        —         —         —         —   

Biraf

     413        —         —         —         —   

2017 Globals

     —         —         —         —         —   

Other

     1,631        1,377        1,422        1,380        1,471  

Non-performing debt

     102        105        103        101        102  

Non-performing debt not yet due

     60        60        60        60        61  

Non-performing debt arrears

     42        45        42        40        41  

Compensatory Interest

     —         —         —         —         —   

Untendered debt(4)

     2,372        2,451        2,383        2,328        2,313  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total foreign currency-denominated debt

   U.S.$ 251,419      U.S.$ 256,553      U.S.$ 255,367      U.S.$ 265,381      U.S.$ 266,896  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes performing and non-performing debt (including Untendered Debt).

 

D-153


(2)

Corresponds to Bonares due 2024 issued as underlying of certain agreements entered into by the Republic, granting the Republic the right to cause the cancellation of such Bonares upon the payment by the Republic of the amounts specified under such agreements. Such Bonares due 2024 were cancelled in August 2019.

(3)

Corresponds to Bonares due 2025 issued as underlying of certain agreements entered into by the Republic, granting the Republic the right to cause the cancellation of such Bonares upon the payment by the Republic of the amounts specified under such agreements. Such Bonares due 2025 were cancelled in August 2019.

(4)

Includes claims on principal and/or interest that the Republic considers time-barred.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Gross Foreign Currency-Denominated Public Debt (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars, except for percentages)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Foreign currency-denominated debt

   U.S.$ 251,419     U.S.$ 256,553     U.S.$ 255,367     U.S.$ 265,381     U.S.$ 266,896  

As a % of GDP

     56.3       66.6       52.6       42.0       41.2  

As a % of Government revenues

     285.8       282.3       258.7       236.2       246.2  

As a % of exports

     314.4       398.2       291.6       257.8       321.8  

As a % of international reserves

     560.6       651.4       643.9       595.0       1,156.7  

As a % of total gross public debt

     77.8     76.5     70.3     66.9     72.0

 

(1)

Includes performing and non-performing (including Untendered Debt).

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

Foreign Currency-Denominated Debt

In 2023, the Republic issued foreign currency-denominated debt in an aggregate principal amount of U.S.$17.2 billion, consisting mainly of foreign currency-denominated bonds (bills to the Central Bank) for a total aggregate principal amount of U.S.$14.9 billion and treasury notes for an aggregate principal amount of U.S.$2.3 billion. See “—Debt Record—2020 Debt Exchanges.”

The following table sets forth information regarding the Republic’s total foreign currency-denominated debt by type of currency as of the dates indicated.

Gross Foreign Currency-Denominated Public Debt, by Currency (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

U.S. dollars

   U.S.$ 184,101      U.S.$ 201,120      U.S.$ 205,873      U.S.$ 211,418      U.S.$ 217,901  

Euro

     21,779        8,341        7,609        7,289        7,413  

Japanese yen

     790        862        675        648        532  

Special Drawing Rights

     44,142        45,976        40,960        45,711        40,899  

Other(2)

     608        255        251        315        151  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total foreign currency-denominated debt

   U.S.$ 251,419      U.S.$ 256,553      U.S.$ 255,367      U.S.$ 265,381      U.S.$ 266,896  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes Untendered Debt.

(2)

Figures include Danish crown, Swedish crown, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar and Kuwaiti dinar.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

 

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As of December 31, 2023, the Republic’s total gross foreign currency public debt was denominated as follows:

 

   

81.6% in U.S. dollars;

 

   

2.8% in euro;

 

   

0.2% in Japanese yen; and

 

   

15.4% in other foreign currencies (including Special Drawing Rights).

Performing Foreign Currency-Denominated Debt Service

In 2019, the Republic’s interest expense on its performing foreign currency-denominated debt was U.S.$11.1 billion (2.5% of nominal GDP for 2019). In 2020, the Republic’s interest expense on its performing foreign currency-denominated debt, after giving effect to the 2020 Debt Exchanges, was U.S.$3.6 billion (0.9% of nominal GDP for 2020). In 2021, the Republic’s interest expense on its performing foreign currency-denominated debt was U.S.$2.2 billion (0.4% of nominal GDP for 2021). In 2022, the Republic’s interest expense on its performing foreign currency-denominated debt was U.S.$7.6 billion (1.2% of nominal GDP for 2022). In 2023, the Republic’s interest expense on its performing foreign currency-denominated debt was U.S.$6.8 billion (1.0% of nominal GDP for 2023).

The following table sets forth information regarding the Republic’s projected debt service obligations on its performing foreign currency-denominated debt for the periods indicated, as of December 31, 2023.

Projected Performing Foreign Currency-Denominated Public Debt Service by Creditor (1)(2)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2024      2025      2026      2027  
     Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest  

Multilateral debt:

                       

Inter-American Development Bank

   U.S.$ 1,033      U.S.$ 894      U.S.$ 1,120      U.S.$ 844      U.S.$ 1,207      U.S.$ 785      U.S.$ 1,189      U.S.$ 722  

World Bank

     320        620        335        605        408        584        456        558  

Corporación Andina de Fomento

     1.502        385        534        288        385        249        394        221  

International Fund for Agricultural Development

     6        2        5        2        5        2        5        1  

FONPLATA

     68        34        56        28        52        24        51        20  

Central American Bank for Economic Integration

     3        43        4        42        7        42        12        41  

The OPEC Fund for International Development

     14        8        14        7        14        6        14        6  

European Investment Bank

     12        13        13        12        16        12        20        11  

IMF

     4.589        2.856           2,700        1,121        2,695        4,371        2,525  

Total multilateral debt

     7.548        4.855        2,081        4,529        3,215        4,398        6,511        4,105  

Bilateral debt (excluding Paris Club)

     456        232        456        194        447        155        447        116  

Paris Club

     363        69        419        52        294        34        280        22  

Total Bilateral debt

     819        301        875        246        741        189        727        139  

Total official debt

     8.367        5.156        2,956        4,774        3,955        4,588        7,238        4,244  

Bonds

     14.789        3.668        16,371        3,857        6,185        3,763        6,696        3,713  

Treasury bills

     1.174        —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Treasury notes

     45        —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Commercial Banks

     76        13        72        10        70        7        60        4  

Guaranteed Debt:

                       

Promissory notes

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Guarantees (Avales)

     329        34        95        5        8        —         800        —   

Guaranteed Treasury notes

     287        —         287        —         287        —         287        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Guaranteed Debt

     616        34        382        5        295        —         1,087        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total performing foreign currency-denominated debt service

   U.S.$ 25,067      U.S.$ 8,871      U.S.$ 19,781      U.S.$ 8,646      U.S.$ 10,505      U.S.$ 8,358      U.S.$ 15,082      U.S.$ 7,961  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

D-155


     2028      2029      2030      2031  
     Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest  

Multilateral debt:

                       

Inter-American Development Bank

   U.S.$ 1,264      U.S.$ 660      U.S.$ 1,170      U.S.$ 591      U.S.$ 1,083      U.S.$ 532      U.S.$ 1,067      U.S.$ 476  

World Bank

     476        530        493        499        500        468        507        436  

Corporación Andina de Fomento

     380        192        355        162        317        136        287        112  

International Fund for Agricultural Development

     5        1        5        1        4        1        3        1  

FONPLATA

     51        16        42        13        34        10        25        7  

Central American Bank for Economic Integration

     27        41        41        38        41        35        41        32  

The OPEC Fund for International Development

     14        5        14        4        14        3        14        3  

European Investment Bank

     11        10        11        9        11        8        11        8  

IMF

     6.052        2,112        6,052        1.619        6,052        1,130        6,052        640  

Total multilateral debt

     8.280        3,567        8,183        2.936        8,055        2,323        8,007        1,715  

Bilateral debt (excluding Paris Club)

     447        78        447        39        152        12        51        5  

Paris Club

     257        10        —         —         —         —         —         —   

Total Bilateral debt

     704        88        447        39        152        12        51        5  

Total official debt

     8.984        3,655        8,630        2,975        8,208        2,335        8,058        1,720  

Bonds

     8.565        3,967        13,176        3,864        7,780        3,774        24,881        3,430  

Treasury bills

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Treasury notes

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Commercial Banks

     30        2        20        1        13        —         7        —   

Guaranteed Debt

                       

Promissory notes

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Guarantees (Avales)

     30        —         —         —         120        —         —         —   

Guaranteed Treasury notes

     287        —         287        —         287        —         287        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Guaranteed Debt

     317        —         287        —         407        —         287        —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total performing foreign currency-denominated debt service

   U.S.$ 17,897      U.S.$ 7,624      U.S.$ 22,114      U.S.$ 6,840      U.S.$ 16,408      U.S.$ 6,110      U.S.$ 33,233      U.S.$ 5,151  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Calculated based on total debt, exchange and interest rates as of December 31, 2023.

(2)

Includes payments made by the Government to comply with judgments obtained by private parties through acciones de amparo. See “—Legal Proceedings—Litigation in Argentina.”

Source: INDEC and Ministry of Economy.

 

D-156


Peso-Denominated Debt

The following table sets forth information regarding the Republic’s total peso-denominated debt as of the dates indicated.

Peso-Denominated Debt by Instrument (1)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019      2020      2021      2022      2023  

Performing

   U.S.$ 71,581      U.S.$ 78,979      U.S.$ 107,808      U.S.$ 131,113      U.S.$ 103,744  

Boncer

     10,992        26,723        34,701        34,412        36,931  

Treasury Bills

     10,159        9,060        21,228        29,819        5,097  

Bonar Dual

     1,638        5        1        20,167        47,520  

Temporary advances from the Central Bank

     14,237        14,979        21,149        15,769        5,060  

Bontes

     3,727        9,707        11,751        11,234        1,113  

2045 Quasi-Par Bonds

     6,974        6,768        8,400        9,269        5,110  

2033 Discount Bonds

     2.875        2.791        3.464        3.822        865  

Commercial Banks

     2,505        1,604        2,092        2,343        847  

Promissory notes

     1,605        1,149        1,206        1,434        230  

Treasury Notes

     2,938        598        675        924        —   

National Guaranteed Loans

     640        605        751        829        457  

2038 Par Bonds

     608        590        733        809        446  

Bonares

     3,139        1,573        1,016        136        26  

Bocones

     357        360        260        86        34  

Bontes PIK

     3,973        1,587        —         —         —   

Bonos PGN

     950        317        —         —         —   

Botapos

     2,377        —         —         —         —   

Bogato

     1,097        —         —         —         —   

Bonads

     —         —         —         —         —   

Bonacs

     —         —         —         —         —   

Other

     787        560        381        62        8  

Non-performing debt

     2        2        2        2        1  

Non-performing debt not yet due

     —         —         —         —         —   

Non-performing debt arrears

     2        2        2        2        1  

Untendered debt(2)

     63        49        56        60        32  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total peso-denominated debt

   U.S.$ 71,646      U.S.$ 79,029      U.S.$ 107,866      U.S.$ 131,175      U.S.$ 103,777  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes performing and non-performing (including Untendered Debt).

(2)

Includes claims on principal and/or interest that the Republic considers time-barred.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Total peso-denominated debt amounted to Ps.83,899 (U.S.$103.8 billion, or 28.0% of gross public total debt) as of December 31, 2023 compared to Ps.23,235 billion (U.S.$131.2 billion, or 33.1% of gross public total debt) as of December 31, 2019. The increase as a percentage of total debt is primarily as a result of:

 

   

the increase in the issuances of peso-denominated debt instruments, Boncers, treasury bills, Bonar Dual, temporary advances from the Central Bank and 2045 Quasi-Par Bonds; and

 

   

the impact of the depreciation of the peso, which more than offset the nominal increase in peso-denominated debt caused by adjustments to inflation on the a portion of the peso-denominated debt that by its terms adjusts for inflation based on CER.

 

D-157


Performing Peso-Denominated Debt Service

In 2019, interest on the Republic’s peso-denominated debt increased by 54.4% from Ps.245.0 billion in 2018 to Ps.378.3 billion (U.S.$7.8 billion, or 41.4% of total interest). This increase was primarily due to an increase in the interest payments on Bonares and Botapo.

In 2020, the Republic sought to preserve the normal functioning of the local capital market for debt denominated in pesos, which it considers a key factor for the development of the domestic capital market. In particular, during this period, the Government sought to recover the Treasury’s financing capacity, create conditions for the development of the domestic capital markets and generate savings instruments with positive and sustainable real rates, in turn reducing its monetary financing needs and expanding the depth of the local debt market and the participation of relevant institutional investors. In addition, the Treasury expanded its menu of financing instruments to obtain the funds needed to cover its 2020 financial needs and to design the 2021 financial program according to the guidelines outlined in the 2021 Budget.

In 2020, interest on the Republic’s peso-denominated debt decreased by 5.1% from Ps.378.3 billion in 2019 to Ps.397.7 billion (U.S.$5.6 billion, or 61.0% of total interest). This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in interest payments on Bonares and Treasury bills.

In 2021, interest on the Republic’s peso-denominated debt increased by 42.7% from Ps.397.7 billion in 2020 to Ps.567.4 billion (U.S.$6.0 billion, or 73.2% of total interest). This increase was primarily due to an increase in interest payments on Bonares, Treasury bills and Boncer.

In 2022, interest on the Republic’s peso-denominated debt increased by 17.5% from Ps.567.4 billion in 2021 to Ps.666.6 billion (U.S.$3.7 billion, or 40.1% of total interest). This increase was primarily due to an increase in interest payments on Bonares, Treasury bills and bonds issued in the 2020 Debt Exchanges.

In 2023, interest on the Republic’s peso-denominated debt increased by 162.1% from Ps.666.6 billion in 2022 to Ps.1,746.8 billion (U.S.$2.2 billion, or 46.7% of total interest). This increase was primarily due to an increase in interest payments on Bonares, Treasury bills and bonds issued in the 2020 Debt Exchanges.

 

D-158


The following table sets forth information regarding the Republic’s projected debt service on its performing peso-denominated public debt for the periods indicated.

Projected Performing Peso-Denominated Public Debt Service by Creditor (1)(2)

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     2024      2025      2026      2027
c
 
     Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest  

Bonds

   U.S.$ 61,902      U.S.$ 2,045      U.S.$ 20,234      U.S.$ 922      U.S.$ 1,971      U.S.$ 584      U.S.$ 603      U.S.$ 395  

National Guaranteed Loans

     —         23        —         23        —         23        93        22  

Commercial banks

     847        —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Temporary Advances from the Central Bank

     4.390        —         671        —         —         —         —         —   

Treasury notes

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Treasury bills

     5,097        170        —         —         —         —         —         —   

Promissory notes

     —         4        —         4        —         4        —         4  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Guarantees (Avales)

     3        1        3        —         —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total performing Peso-denominated debt service

   U.S.$ 72,239      U.S.$ 2,243      U.S.$ 20,907      U.S.$ 950      U.S.$ 1,971      U.S.$ 611      U.S.$ 695      U.S.$ 421  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     2028      2029      2030      2031  
     Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest      Principal      Interest  

Bonds

   U.S.$ 372      U.S.$ 276      U.S.$ 226      U.S.$ 248      U.S.$ 243      U.S.$ 229      U.S.$ 237      U.S.$ 214  

National Guaranteed Loans

     —         18        —         18        25        18        339        9  

Commercial banks

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Temporary Advances from the Central Bank

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Treasury notes

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Treasury bills

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   

Promissory notes

     —         4        12        5        23        5        23        5  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Guarantees (Avales)

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —         —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total performing Peso-denominated debt service

   U.S.$ 372      U.S.$ 298      U.S.$ 238      U.S.$ 271      U.S.$ 292      U.S.$ 252      U.S.$ 599      U.S.$ 227  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Calculated based on the stock of debt, exchange rate and interest rates as of December 31, 2023.

(2)

Includes payments made by the Government to comply with judgments obtained by private parties through acciones de amparo. See “— Legal Proceedings— Litigation in Argentina.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

Debt Owed to Financial Institutions

Overview

Historically, the IMF, the IADB and the World Bank have provided the Republic with financial support subject to the Government’s compliance with stabilization and reform policies. The financial support of the World Bank and the IADB include sector-specific and structural loans intended to finance social programs, public works and structural projects at the national and provincial levels. From 2019 to 2023, outstanding amounts owed by the Government to multilateral creditors increased by U.S.$6.2 billion to U.S.$74.2 billion, mainly due to disbursements made by the World Bank and the IADB.

 

   

During 2019, the Government made principal payments to multilateral lenders of U.S.$1.8 billion, compared to disbursements by multilateral lenders to the Government of U.S.$18.9 billion.

 

D-159


   

During 2020, the Government made principal payments to multilateral lenders of U.S.$1.9 billion, compared to disbursements by multilateral lenders to the Government of U.S.$3.3 billion.

 

   

During 2021, the Government made principal payments to multilateral lenders of U.S.$5.6 billion, compared to disbursements by multilateral lenders to the Government of U.S.$3.7 billion.

 

   

During 2022, the Government made principal payments to multilateral lenders of U.S.$18.5 billion, compared to disbursements by multilateral lenders to the Government of U.S.$28.0 billion.

 

   

During 2023, the Government made principal payments to multilateral lenders of U.S.$19.6 billion, compared to disbursements by multilateral lenders to the Government of U.S.$17.9 billion.

From 2019 to 2023, the total amount of interest payments to multilateral lenders (including the IADB, the World Bank, IMF and other institutions) was U.S.$4.7 billion. The Government also guarantees multilateral debt owed by the provinces. See “The Argentine Economy—Agreements with the IMF.”

The following table sets forth the disbursements from, and payments to, multilateral lenders as of the dates indicated.

Disbursements/Payments - Multilateral Lenders

(in millions of U.S. dollars)

 

     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

World Bank:

          

Disbursements

   U.S.$ 761     U.S.$ 1,047     U.S.$ 1,191     U.S.$ 998     U.S.$ 974  

Principal payments

     (511     (454     (394     (310     (291

Disbursements, net of principal payments

     249       593       796       688       683  

Interest payments

     (239     (177     (113     (187     (541

Payment of commissions

     (6     (6     (5     (6     7  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (outflows) inflows

     5       410       678       495       150  

International Monetary Fund:

          

Disbursements

     16,225       —        —        23,503       12,680  

Principal payments

     —        —        (3,373     (16,644     (17,780

Disbursements, net of principal payments

     16,225       —        (3,373     6,859       (5,100

Interest payments

     (1,227     (1,284     (1,347     (1,721     (3,014

Payments of commissions

     (115     (29     —        (212     108  

Net (outflows) inflows

     14,883       (1,313     (5,084     4,926       (8,006

Inter-American Development Bank:

          

Disbursements

     1,188       1,586       1,550       2,442       1,759  

Principal payments

     (857     (865     (867     (845     (895

Disbursements, net of principal payments

     331       721       683       1,596       864  

Interest payments

     (439     (371     (303     (369     (821

Payments of commissions

     (24     (27     (26     (29     23  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (outflows) inflows

     (132     324       354       1,198       66  

FAD:(1)

          

Disbursements

     2       —        5       9       17  

Principal payments

     (6     (6     (8     (7     (6

Disbursements, net of principal payments

     (3     (6     (3     2       11  

Interest payments

     (4     (1     —        (1     (2

Payments of commissions

     —        —        —        —        —   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (outflows) inflows

     (7     (7     (3     2       9  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

FONPLATA:(2)

          

Disbursements

     94       105       108       123       10  

Principal payments

     (24     (19     (27     (36     (40

Disbursements, net of principal

     70       86       81       87       (30

Interest payments

     (10     (10     (10     (14     (36

 

D-160


     As of December 31,  
     2019     2020     2021     2022     2023  

Payments of commissions

     (1     (1     (1     (1     1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (outflows) inflows

     59       75       70       71       (64
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Corporación Andina de Fomento:

          

Disbursements

     571       533       694       760       2,023  

Principal payments

     (382     (536     (561     (610     (521

Disbursements, net of principal

     189       (3     133       150       1,502  

Interest payments

     (154     (124     (75     (100     (275

Payments of commissions

     (5     (4     (6     (8     6  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (outflows) inflows

     31       (131     52       41       1,233  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The OPEC Fund for International Development:

          

Disbursements

     37       17       32       30       27  

Principal payments

     (4     (4     (4     (10     (14

Disbursements, net of principal

     33       13       29       21       13  

Interest payments

     (2     (4     (5     (7     (7

Payments of commissions

     —        —        —        —        —   

Net (outflows) inflows

     31       9       24       14       6  

Central American Bank for Economic Integration:

          

Disbursements

     6       —        77       60       454  

Principal payments

     —        —        (1     (1     (2

Disbursements, net of principal

     6       —        77       59       451  

Interest payments

     (1     —        —        (3     (26

Payments of commissions

     —        —        —        —        1  

Net (outflows) inflows

     4       —        76       56       425  

The European Investment Bank:

          

Disbursements

     10       20       26       100       25  

Principal payments

     —        —        (10     (11     (11

Disbursements, net of principal

     10       20       16       89       14  

Interest payments

     (2     (2     (1     (1     (12

Payments of commissions

     (1     (1     (1     (1     2  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (outflows) inflows

     6       18       14       86       3  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total disbursements

     18,893       3,308       3,684       28,026       17,969  

Total principal payments

     (1,783     (1,884     (5,610     (18,475     (19,561

Disbursements, net of principal

     17,110       1,425       (1,926     9,551       (1,592

Total interest payments

     (2,078     (1,972     (1,855     (2,402     (4,735

Total commissions

     (151     (67     (39     (258     148  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net (outflows) inflows

   U.S.$ 14,881     U.S.$ (615   U.S.$ (3,819   U.S.$ 6,890     U.S.$ (6,178
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

International Fund for Agricultural Development.

(2)

Financial Fund for the development of the Plata Valley.

Source: Ministry of Economy.

International Monetary Fund

The IMF organized two separate financial aid packages for the Republic during the years leading up to the collapse of the Convertibility Regime—one in December 2000, and the other in August 2001. As part of these packages, the IMF increased the amount available to the Republic under its credit facilities and secured for the Republic other sources of funding (including loan commitments from the World Bank, the IADB and the Spanish government).

Between 2001 and 2005, the Republic reduced its outstanding IMF debt from U.S.$14.0 billion as of December 31, 2001 to U.S.$9.5 billion as of December 31, 2005. In August 2004, the IMF suspended disbursements under the 2003 Stand-By Arrangement after the Government indefinitely postponed the scheduled review of its performance under the arrangement.

 

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On January 3, 2006, the Government repaid all of its outstanding debt owed to the IMF in a single payment of U.S.$9.5 billion. The payment to the IMF represented 7.4% of the total Argentine public debt and saved U.S.$568 million in interest. The Government borrowed funds from the Central Bank to make the payment, which resulted in a 33.3% reduction of the Central Bank’s reserves from U.S.$28.1 billion to U.S.$18.6 billion. The Government issued a 10-year U.S. dollar-denominated non-transferable Treasury note to repay the Central Bank for this financing. Given that the IMF liability was exchanged for Central Bank liability of the same value, the IMF repayment did not affect the Government’s total debt.

Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. IMF staff visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses the country’s economic developments and policies with officials. The IMF staff then prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

On June 7, 2018, the Ministry of Economy and the IMF staff reached an understanding on the terms of a 36-month SBA for disbursements totaling approximately U.S.$50 billion, which was approved by the IMF’s Executive Board on June 20, 2018. On October 26, 2018, the IMF’s Executive Board approved an augmentation of the SBA increasing total assets to approximately U.S.$57.1 billion for the duration of the program through 2021. See “The Argentine Economy— Agreements with the IMF.” On August 26, 2020, the Republic initiated formal discussions with the IMF to seek a new program that will address the terms of the debt incurred under the existing SBA (as defined below). The Republic has indicated there is no stabilization possible without economic recovery, a premise that it expects to guide the negotiations with the IMF. On October 6, 2020, an IMF mission began discussions with the Government towards the definition of the basis for a new program and agreement for the refinancing of amounts due under the SBA.

On September 22, 2021, Argentina repaid the first principal installment under the SBA of U.S.$1.9 billion to the IMF.

On March 25, 2022, the Republic signed a 30-month Extended Fund Facility agreement (“EFF”) with the IMF for 31.9 billion SDRs (approximately U.S.$44 billion), to refinance the SBA (as defined below) entered into in June 2018. The EFF provides balance of payments and budget support, with the objective of strengthening public finances, tackling inflation, boosting the accumulation of international reserves, and setting the basis for more sustainable and inclusive economic growth.

The EFF includes 10 reviews by the IMF to be carried out quarterly over two and a half years. On June 25, 2022, the IMF approved the Republic’s first quarterly review under the EFF, authorizing an immediate disbursement of approximately U.S.$4.01 billion. The remaining disbursements will be made after the completion of each review. The repayment period for each disbursement is 10 years, with a grace period of four and a half years, which implies that the Republic shall repay the debt between 2026 to 2034.

Between March 25, 2022 and July 29, 2022, the Government made principal payments to the IMF for 6,028 million SDRs (approximately U.S.$8.1 billion).

On September 19, 2022, the Republic reached an agreement with the IMF on the second review under the EFF, which was approved by the IMF’s Executive Board on October 7, 2022, authorizing an immediate disbursement of approximately U.S.$3.9 billion. On December 2, 2022, the Republic reached an agreement with the IMF on the third review under the EFF, which was approved by the IMF’s Executive Board on December 22, 2022, authorizing an immediate disbursement of approximately U.S.$6.0 billion. During 2023, the IMF’s Executive Board authorized two disbursements under the EFF of approximately U.S.$12.7 billion in the aggregate. During 2024, and as of the date of this annual report, the IMF’s Executive Board has authorized disbursements under the EFF of approximately U.S.$5.5 billion in the aggregate. See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Debt Owed to Financial Institutions—IMF”

World Bank

On July 25, September 7, and December 7, 2022, the Government announced financing agreements with the World Bank for U.S.$200 million, U.S.$900 million and U.S.$200 million, respectively. These financing agreements are aimed at promoting sustainable growth in Argentina, driven by innovation and focused on the creation of productive technology-based companies, support for entrepreneurs and access to private capital.

Between 2019 and 2023, the World Bank disbursed approximately U.S.$5.0 billion in loans to the Republic partly for activities designed to foster economic recovery, both at the national and provincial levels, including for infrastructure and education projects, as well as for various social development programs such as health and the environment. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under loans made by the World Bank was U.S.$9.9 billion, compared to U.S.$9.2 billion as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, approximately U.S.$4.2 billion of committed loans from the World Bank remained undisbursed.

 

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Between 2019 and 2023, Argentina made principal payments in an aggregate amount of U.S.$2.0 billion under World Bank loans, and a total of U.S.$1.3 billion on account of interest.

In February 2023, the World Bank approved additional financing for the Programa para la Mejora de la Inclusión Educativa en el Nivel Secundario y Superior (Improving Inclusion in Secondary and Higher Education program) for U.S.$300 million and the Segundo Proyecto de Hábitat y Suelo Urbano (Second Habitat and Urban Land Project) for U.S.$150 million.

IADB

In November 2022, the Republic entered into a U.S.$500 million loan agreement with the IADB, which was disbursed in December 2022. This loan focuses on supporting climate planning capacity, boosting green finance, and promoting the circular economy.

Between 2019 and 2023, the IADB disbursed approximately U.S.$8.5 billion in loans to Argentina, partly for activities designed to foster economic growth and partly for various social development programs such as health, infrastructure and education. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under loans made by the IADB was U.S.$16.5 billion, compared to U.S.$15.6 billion as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, approximately U.S.$5.5 billion of IADB committed loans remained undisbursed.

During the first quarter of 2023, the IADB approved financing for the Programa de Ciberseguridad para Infraestructuras Críticas de Información (Cybersecurity for Critical Information Infrastructure Program) for U.S.$30 million, and the Programa de Apoyo a los Pequeños Productores Vitivinícolas de Argentina II (Support Program for Small Wine Producers in Argentina II or “PROVIAR II”) for U.S.$40 million. Further, the IADB approved additional financing for the Programa de Integración Social Urbana y Mejora de la Vivienda (Urban Social Integration and Housing Improvement Program) for U.S.$150 million.

On April 13, 2023, the IADB approved financing for the Línea de Crédito Condicional para Proyectos de Inversión (Conditional Credit Line for Investment Projects or “CCLIP”) for U.S.$200 million, to finance measures aimed at improving the Republic’s healthcare system.

During the first quarter of 2024, the IADB disbursed a total amount of U.S.$99.8 million to the Republic.

FONPLATA

Between 2019 and 2023, FONPLATA disbursed an aggregate amount of U.S.$33.8 million to Argentina for economic development, infrastructure programs and social programs. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under loans made by FONPLATA was U.S.$461.4 million, compared to U.S.$491.0 million as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, approximately U.S.$356.8 million in approved loans from FONPLATA remained undisbursed.

Between 2019 and 2023, Argentina made principal payments in an aggregate amount of U.S.$146.4 million under FONPLATA loans and U.S.$79.4 million on account of interest.

CAF

In December 2022, CAF approved two loans for USD 430 million for Argentina, which are intended to promote the development of productive rural roads that will benefit national interconnectivity and regional economies, and to finance climate change mitigation actions implemented by Pan American Energy.

Between 2019 and 2023, CAF disbursed approximately U.S.$4.6 billion to Argentina mostly in loans for infrastructure programs.

As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under loans made by CAF was U.S.$5.4 billion, compared to U.S.$3.9 billion as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, approximately U.S.$3.0 billion in approved loans from CAF remain undisbursed.

During the first quarter of 2023, CAF approved the disbursement of (i) U.S.$540.0 million for the construction of gas pipelines and compressor plants, aimed at increasing the gas supply in the northern provinces of the Repulic as well as gas export volumes to Chile and Brazil. Further, CAF approved the disbursement of U.S.$300.0 million for the Programa para la Promoción del Modelo Social de la Discapacidad y el Acceso a Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad (Program for the Promotion of the Social Model of Disability and Access to Rights for Persons with Disabilities).

 

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Between 2019 and 2023, Argentina made principal payments in an aggregate amount of U.S.$2.6 billion under CAF loans and U.S.$728.0 million on account of interest.

IFAD

Between 2019 and 2023, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (“IFAD”) disbursed an aggregate amount of U.S.$33.8 million to Argentina for economic development and social programs. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under loans made by IFAD was U.S.$48.0 million, compared to U.S.$36.1 million as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, approximately U.S.$2.3 million in approved loans from IFAD remained undisbursed.

Between 2019 and 2023, Argentina made principal payments in an aggregate amount of U.S.$32.8 million under IFAD loans and U.S.$6.9 million on account of interest.

EIB

Between 2019 and 2023, the European Investment Bank (“EIB”) disbursed an aggregate amount of U.S.$596.9 million to Argentina for economic development and infrastructure. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under loans made by EIB was U.S.$224.5 million and U.S.$633.0 million in approved loans from EIB remained undisbursed.

Between 2019 and 2023, Argentina made principal payments in an aggregate amount of U.S.$32.6 million under EIB loans and U.S.$18.1 million on account of interest.

OFID

Between 2019 and 2023, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (“OPEC”) Fund for International Development (“OFID”) disbursed an aggregate amount of U.S.$106.5 million to Argentina for economic development programs. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under loans made by OFID was U.S.$157.7 million, compared to U.S.$144.5 million as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, approximately U.S.$18.0 million in approved loans from OFID remained undisbursed.

Between 2019 and 2023, Argentina made principal payments in an aggregate amount of U.S.$34.3 million under OFID loans and U.S.$25.2 million on account of interest.

BCIE

Between 2019 and 2023, the Banco Centroamericano de Integración Económica (Central American Bank for Economic Integration or “BCIE”) disbursed approximately U.S.$596.9 million to Argentina mostly in loans for infrastructure programs. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate principal amount outstanding under loans made by BCIE was U.S.$589.6 million, compared to U.S.$138.3 million as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, U.S.$418.9 million in approved loans from BCIE remain undisbursed.

Bilateral Debt and Private Creditors’ Debt

Bilateral debt includes debt that is referred to as Paris Club debt and other bilateral debt. Paris Club debt includes all debt with country members of the Paris Club that has been restructured in negotiation rounds with members of the Paris Club. Other bilateral debt includes all other debt with sovereign governments. Substantially all of Argentina’s bilateral debt relates to debt owed to country members of the Paris Club and is treated under the Paris Club framework.

Private creditors’ debt is composed of debt with suppliers and debt with commercial banks. A portion of private creditors’ debt is guaranteed by export credit insurance granted by foreign government agencies and is generally treated under the Paris Club framework.

As of April 30, 2014, the total outstanding debt owed to members of the Paris Club amounted to U.S.$9,690 million, which consisted of U.S.$4,955 million in principal, U.S.$1,102 million in interest and U.S.$3,633 million in penalty interest. In May 2014, Argentina reached an agreement with the members of the Paris Club for the cancellation of the debt owed by Argentina in five years (the “Paris Club 2014 Settlement Agreement”), amounting to U.S.$9,690 million (U.S.$4,955 million in principal U.S.$1,102 million in interest and U.S.$3,633 million in penalty interest).

 

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On April 7, 2020, the Minister of Economy sent the Paris Club members a proposal to modify the existing terms of the Paris Club 2014 Settlement Agreement, seeking mainly an extension of the maturity dates and a significant reduction in the interest rate. On June 22, 2021, the Minister of Economy announced that the Republic had obtained a “time bridge” within the framework of Paris Club negotiations, avoiding default. See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Debt Owed to Financial Institutions—Paris Club.”

On June 22, 2021, the Minister of Economy announced that the Republic had obtained a “time bridge” within the framework of Paris Club negotiations, avoiding default. The understanding provided that the Republic would have time through March 31, 2022 to reach a restructuring agreement with the Paris Club members, while it carried out efforts to reach an understanding with the IMF for the refinancing of the debt incurred under the SBA.

On May 30, 2022, the Government issued Decree No. 286/2022 announcing an agreement with the Paris Club to defer debt payments until the earlier of (i) the signing of a new agreement on the repayment of the outstanding obligations of the Republic or (ii) September 30, 2024.

On October 28, 2022, the Republic and the Paris Club creditors reached an agreement to amend the Paris Club 2014 Settlement Agreement, to reschedule an estimated stock of arrears of U.S.$1.9 billion. The repayment of the outstanding amounts under the Amended Paris Club Settlement Agreement is to be made in 13 installments over a six-year period and reducing the applicable interest rate from 9.0% to 4.5%.

Legal Proceedings

Following the Republic’s default on its debt at the end of 2001, creditors filed numerous lawsuits against the Republic in several jurisdictions, including the United States. Plaintiffs in these actions generally asserted that the Republic failed to make timely payments of interest and/or principal on their bonds, and sought judgments for the nominal value of and accrued interest on those bonds.

The Settlement

On February 5, 2016, the Republic published the terms of its proposal to settle eligible claims on Untendered Debt, including bonds in litigation in the United States, which was made subject to two conditions: first, obtaining approval by the Argentine Congress, and second, lifting the pari passu injunctions, first issued by the New York District Court in 2012, which had barred the Republic from making payment on certain external indebtedness unless it made a ratable payment to those holders of defaulted debt who had been awarded such injunctions. The proposal was not available for time-barred claims.

Creditors who settled their claims pursuant to the Settlement Proposal agreed to dismiss with prejudice all litigation against the Republic, including all enforcement proceedings.

On March 31, 2016, the Argentine Congress passed the Debt Authorization Law. On April 22, 2016, Argentina issued U.S.$16.5 billion of new debt securities in the international capital markets, and applied U.S.$9.3 billion of the net proceeds to satisfy settlement payments on agreements with holders of approximately U.S.$4.2 billion principal amount of Untendered Debt. On April 22, 2016, the New York District Court ordered the vacatur of all pari passu injunctions.

On July 20, 2016, Argentina published settlement procedures for holders of eligible German law governed bonds implementing the Settlement Proposal for those bonds.

In December 2018, Argentina convened meetings of holders of its four remaining series of outstanding bonds governed by Japanese law, to vote upon proposals that if approved would result in the adoption of the standard Settlement Proposal to settle the clauses of 100% of the outstanding Samurai Bonds. The meetings took place in February 2019 and Argentina completed payments in June 2019.

To date, the Republic has reached agreements with most creditors that held Untendered Debt as of December 31, 2015, and stipulations of dismissal and orders of satisfaction of judgment have been filed and approved by the courts in numerous actions. The Republic continues to seek to resolve its outstanding litigation through settlements.

 

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Individual litigation in the United States

Since April 2016, holders of Untendered Debt have brought claims against Argentina on various grounds. Where defenses were available, such as statute of limitation and other defenses, Argentina has invoked them obtaining the dismissal of many proceedings. Likewise, Argentina has successfully defeated attempts by holders of Untendered Debt to obtain remedies based on the alleged breach by Argentina of the pari passu clause.

GDP warrant litigation (United States and United Kingdom)

Plaintiffs have brought litigation in connection with a dispute regarding the calculation method for payment on the GDP-linked warrants issued by the Republic in 2005 and 2010.

On January 14, 2019, a plaintiff filed a complaint in the New York District Court based on purported ownership of approximately U.S.$797 million notional amount of GDP-linked warrants, seeking approximately U.S.$83.7 million for non-payment of amounts allegedly due under such GDP-linked warrants for the year 2013, plus interest. On April 18, 2019, the Republic moved to dismiss the complaint. The New York District Court granted the Republic’s motion on January 7, 2020, but granted plaintiff leave to file an amended complaint, which it did on March 9, 2020.

In October 2019, three additional plaintiffs filed separate complaints in the New York District Court, basing their claims on purported respective ownership of approximately U.S.$181 million, U.S.$343 million, and U.S.$1.4 billion notional amount of GDP-linked warrants. In December 2019, another group of plaintiffs filed a complaint based on purported collective ownership of over U.S.$1 billion notional amount of GDP-linked warrants, seeking an amount in excess of U.S.$75 million, to be determined at trial, for non-payment of amounts allegedly due under such GDP-linked warrants for the year 2013, plus interest. Pursuant to a stipulation entered by the parties after the New York District Court’s January 7, 2020 dismissal decision, these plaintiffs filed their amended complaints between March 9 and March 23, 2020. All five actions were coordinated in April 2020 and proceeded on the schedule for the Republic’s motion to dismiss the amended complaints. On March 29, 2021, the New York District Court denied the Republic’s motion to dismiss the amended complaints in the five coordinated actions.

On December 10, 2020, additional plaintiffs filed a separate complaint in the New York District Court, basing their claim on purported ownership of approximately U.S.$126 million national amount of GDP-linked warrants. On May 19, 2021, the Republic moved to dismiss this complaint. On February 15, 2022, the New York District Court denied the Republic’s motion to dismiss the complaint. This action has proceeded in coordination with the other five GDP-linked warrants actions.

On April 14, 2023, the Republic filed its motion for summary judgment in the six coordinated actions. The plaintiffs filed their opposition to the Republic’s motion and their cross-motion for summary judgment on June 13, 2023. The motions were fully briefed by October 2, 2023.

As of December 31, 2023, plaintiffs in (i) the first of these six coordinated actions sought approximately U.S.$90 million, plus interest, (ii) the second of these actions sought an unspecified amount, (iii) the third of these actions sought approximately U.S.$38.9 million, plus interest, (iv) the fourth of these actions sought approximately U.S.$162.6 million, plus interest, (v) the fifth of these actions sought an among in excess of U.S.$75 million, to be determined at trial, plus interest, and (vi) the sixth of these actions sought U.S.$9 million, plus interest, in each case for non-payment of amounts allegedly due under such GDP-linked warrants for the year 2013. See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—GDP warrant litigation (United States and United Kingdom).”

On December 13, 2023, a group of plaintiffs filed a complaint in the New York District Court based on purported ownership of 2005 and 2010 GDP-linked warrants, seeking an unspecified amount allegedly due under such GDP-linked warrants for years after 2013, plus interest. See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—GDP warrant litigation (United States and United Kingdom).”

In August 2019, three claimants filed a claim in the High Court of England invoking ownership of approximately €5.5 billion notional amount of GDP-linked warrants, seeking approximately €384.7 million for non-payment of amounts allegedly due under such GDP-linked warrants for the year 2013. By an order dated December 10, 2019, a fourth claimant was added to the claim invoking ownership of approximately €3.1 billion notional amount of GDP-linked warrants and the claimants were given permission to serve amended particulars of claim accordingly. Further amendments were subsequently made to the claim to reflect increases in the holdings of the securities of the claimants, and re-amended particulars of claim were filed on December 23, 2019, invoking ownership of approximately €9.2 billion notional amount of GDP-linked warrants, seeking approximately €645.3 million, plus interest, for non-payment of amounts allegedly due under such GDP-linked warrants for the year 2013.

 

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On September 14, 2022, the claimants in the GDP-linked warrants proceedings in the United Kingdom filed a new amendment to their particulars of claim in which they pleaded two additional remedies as alternatives to their claim for non-payment of amounts allegedly due under the warrants for the year 2013: (i) alleged damages for breach of contract in the amount of approximately €779.1 million plus interest or (ii) relief on the basis that the warrants were legally frustrated, in an amount to be determined at trial, if any.

The trial in this matter took place between October 17, 2022 and November 18, 2022. The High Court of England rendered judgment on April 5, 2023, declaring that the total payment amount due for the Euro-denominated GDP-linked warrants for the year 2013 was approximately €1.3 billion, plus interest and costs.

The Republic filed an application for permission to appeal the judgment to the Court of Appeal on June 30, 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Republic’s application was pending. See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—GDP warrant litigation (United States and United Kingdom).”

Efforts to attach or execute Argentine property in U.S. Litigation

In the United States, creditors’ execution remedies against a foreign state are limited by the United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976 (the “FSIA”) to assets of such foreign state that are used for a commercial activity in the United States. The FSIA also provides special protection from attachment and execution to reserves of foreign central banks and military and diplomatic property. While most attempts to execute property of the Republic or of alleged alter egos of the Republic have been rejected by the courts, in a few instances plaintiffs seeking payment under Argentina’s Untendered Debt succeeded in attaching and restraining assets of the Republic, including grants of attachment orders to multiple plaintiffs with purported claims of approximately U.S.$500 million.

Proceedings for foreign recognition of U.S. judgments

Certain plaintiffs have sought, and in some instances obtained, recognition of their U.S. judgments in foreign courts, including in the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Ghana and Argentina. Most of these plaintiffs have settled their claims against Argentina.

Litigation in Germany

Several bondholders commenced proceedings in Germany seeking to obtain pari passu relief similar to the relief granted by New York Courts. German courts at both the trial and appellate level have declined to grant such relief.

Plaintiffs who try to execute on their judgments may not attach assets used for diplomatic or consular purposes, such as bank accounts of the Republic’s embassy and consulates. To the Republic’s knowledge, plaintiffs in Germany have succeeded in attaching monies of the Republic held with paying agents (for the payment of interest on other Government debt). Some creditors have also attached the Republic’s claims against other plaintiffs (i.e., those who withdrew their claims against the Republic or lost their actions in whole or in part), who are liable for the Republic’s costs (statutory attorneys’ fees and, if applicable, court fees) under Germany’s “losing party pays” system, to the extent the amount of such claims had not been set off by those plaintiffs.

Certain plaintiffs have sought recognition of their German judgments in foreign courts, including the United States, Luxembourg and Spain.

Litigation in Japan

In furtherance of discussions maintained with the Commissioned Companies for Bondholders relating to the implementation of its February 2016 Settlement Proposal with holders of its outstanding bonds governed by Japanese law that had not been tendered in the 2010 Exchange Offer, in December 2018, Argentina convened meetings of holders of its four remaining series of outstanding bonds governed by Japanese law, to vote upon proposals that if approved would result in the adoption of the standard Settlement Proposal to settle the clauses of 100% of the outstanding Samurai Bonds.

The Republic held bondholder meetings on February 22, 2019 for each of the four series of the remaining bonds under Japanese law, during which bondholders approved, by the requisite majority, resolutions that rendered the standard option under the February 2016 Settlement Proposal binding on all holders of such series of bonds, representing an aggregate settlement amount of JPY2,817,000,000 for the four series.

 

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On October 29, 2019, the Tokyo High Court ruled that the resolutions adopted by bondholders by requisite majority for each of the four series were valid and binding on all holders of the series whether or not they voted for such resolutions. On May 20, 2021, the two-year period for the bondholders to seek payment expired. On October 13, 2021, the Republic’s Japanese counsel received two letters from the Commissioned Companies for Bondholders informing the Republic that they offset what they believe the Republic owes them for the Commissioned Companies for Bondholders’ expenses against the remaining funds that the banks are holding following the expiration of the two-year payment period for the bondholders. The letters state that the Commissioned Companies for Bondholders’ expenses exceed the amount of the remaining funds, accordingly they are not returning any remaining funds and instead they request the Republic to pay the balance (JPY 12,924,927 for Shinsei Bank and JPY 9,799,783 for Mitsubishi UFJ Bank).

Litigation in Spain

On April 10, 2014, a plaintiff who obtained a judgment in Germany initiated proceedings before a court in Madrid in order to attach the Republic’s assets located in Spain. On May 14, 2015, the court permitted that plaintiff to execute its German judgment on the Republic’s property in Spain. In December 2015, the court denied the Republic’s request to vacate that order and the Republic appealed the ruling. On September 28, 2016, the Court of Appeals granted the Republic’s appeal and vacated the lower court’s execution order. On January 25, 2019, Spain’s highest court agreed to hear the plaintiff’s appeal of the September 28, 2016 ruling by the Court of Appeals. On October 8, 2019, the Spanish high court issued a ruling in the plaintiff’s favor. Based on this ruling, the plaintiff could bring enforcement proceedings in the lower court, which the Republic could contest on other grounds. On May 25, 2020, a Spanish lower court rejected a request for attachment by the plaintiff. The plaintiff filed an application for review of the decision, which was rejected on July 15, 2020. The plaintiff filed an application for clarification, which was rejected on October 26, 2020. On November 3, 2020, the plaintiff filed another request for reconsideration and asked that the Republic be ordered to identify assets subject to embargo. The court dismissed additional requests from the plaintiff regarding identification of assets subject to attachment on January 13, 2021, May 5, 2021, and June 2, 2021. See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—Litigation in Spain.”

On October 5, 2022, a plaintiff holding two German judgments gave notice to the Republic that the plaintiff planned to initiate an action for execution. The Republic filed its opposition on December 16, 2022, which the Court denied on February 12, 2023. On February 23, 2023, the Republic filed an appeal for reconsideration, which the Court dismissed on April 17, 2023. On July 12, 2023, the court issued a resolution publishing a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. On July 18, 2023, the Republic filed a brief arguing that the lack of report warranted nullity of the proceedings, which, on October 19, 2023, the court rejected. On June 12, 2024, the court required Banco de la Nación Argentina deposit in the Judicial Deposits and Consignments Account of this Court €358,160.49 against the account corresponding to the Republic. On June 19, 2024, the Republic filed an appeal for reconsideration of the Court’s decision. On June 28, 2024, the Court issued a resolution recognizing the appeal for reconsideration and inviting plaintiff to present his response. See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—Litigation in Spain.”

ICSID Arbitration

Argentina has been a party to arbitration proceedings under the 1965 Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes between States and Nationals of Other States (ICSID Convention), including as a result of measures implemented in 2001 and 2002 to address Argentina’s economic crisis.

Between 2013 and 2023, the Republic has settled nine final awards issued by ICSID tribunals against Argentina totaling approximately U.S.$1.25 billion, in principal, excluding interest and costs.

On August 24, 2021, a plaintiff filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking enforcement of an arbitral award issued against the Republic under the ICSID Convention. The plaintiff seeks a judgment of approximately U.S.$325.3 million, plus interest. The Republic moved to dismiss on January 14, 2022. The motion was fully briefed by February 4, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the decision on the Republic’s motion to dismiss was pending.

On February 15, 2023, the Republic was notified of the same plaintiff’s attempt to have the same ICSID arbitral award recognized and enforced by the Madrid Civil Court No. 2. That action remains pending. In April 2023, the Republic received defective notification of the same plaintiff seeking to enforce the same award in the United Kingdom.

On September 20, 2021, another plaintiffs filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, seeking enforcement of an arbitral award issued against the Republic under the ICSID Convention. The plaintiff seeks a judgment of approximately U.S.$21.3 million, plus interest. The Republic moved to dismiss on August 8, 2022. The motion was fully briefed by August 29, 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the decision on the Republic’s motion to dismiss was pending.

On December 7, 2021, another plaintiff filed an action in Argentine courts seeking enforcement of an arbitral award issued against the Republic under the ICSID Convention. The plaintiff sought a judgment of approximately U.S.$1.0 million, plus interest.

 

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On June 13, 2023, the lower court rendered judgment granting enforcement of the award in the amount of U.S.$1,047,000, plus interest. As of December 31, 2023, there was a pending issue related to the budgetary provision made by the Government for compliance with the award.

See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—ICSID Arbitration.”

Other Arbitration

Claimants have also filed claims before arbitral tribunals under the rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (“UNCITRAL”) and under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”).

Between 2013 and 2023, the Republic has settled three final UNCITRAL awards against Argentina totaling approximately U.S.$259.8 million in principal, excluding interest and costs.

See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—Other Arbitration.”

Other Non-Creditor Litigation in the U.S.

On April 8, 2015, Petersen Energía Inversora, S.A.U. and Petersen Energía, S.A.U. (the “Petersen Entities”) filed a claim against the Republic in the New York District Court in relation to the expropriation of YPF. The Petersen Entities sought compensatory damages arising out of an alleged breach of the bylaws of YPF by the Republic that allegedly occurred when it expropriated 51% of Class D shares of YPF. In September 2015, the Republic moved to dismiss the complaint, asserting, among other things, that the New York District Court lacks jurisdiction under the FSIA. On September 9, 2016, the New York District Court granted in part and denied in part the Republic’s motion to dismiss plaintiffs’ complaint. On July 10, 2018, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision affirming the New York District Court’s decision. On June 24, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Argentina’s petition for certiorari.

On November 3, 2016, Eton Park Capital Management, L.P., Eton Park Master Fund, Ltd. and Eton Park fund, L.P. (the “Eton Park Entities”) filed a complaint against the Republic seeking compensatory damages arising out of an alleged breach of the bylaws of YPF by the Republic resulting from the expropriation of 51% of Class D shares of YPF.

On August 30, 2019, the Republic filed a motion to dismiss the actions commenced by the Petersen and Eton Park Entities for forum non conveniens. On June 5, 2020, the New York District Court denied the motion. On July 20, 2020, the Court ordered a schedule for the consolidated Petersen and the Eton Park Entities’ complaints.

On April 14, 2022, the parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. On March 30, 2023, the New York District Court granted summary judgment in favor of the Petersen and Eton Park Entities as to liability against the Republic. Trial was held from July 26 to July 28, 2023. On September 15, 2023, the Court entered a judgment against the Republic for U.S.$16.1 billion. The Republic appealed the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on October 10, 2023, and the Petersen and Eton Park Entities cross-appealed on October 18, 2023.

See “Recent Developments—Public Sector Debt—Legal Proceedings—Other Non-Creditor Litigation in the U.S.”

 

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