Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Argentina
Argentina: Total reserves (% of total external debt) was 12.2% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Argentina, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
Argentina recorded 12.2% for total reserves in 2024.
That represents a change of up 33.6% on the previous year and down 40.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Argentina peaked at 54.9% in 1979 and was at its lowest, 4.8%, in 1971.
Argentina ranks 101st of 112 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Argentina, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 4.8% | — |
| 1972 | 8.3% | +73.4% |
| 1973 | 21.7% | +160.8% |
| 1974 | 24.2% | +11.9% |
| 1975 | 10.7% | -55.7% |
| 1976 | 20.9% | +94.4% |
| 1977 | 32.9% | +57.7% |
| 1978 | 43.9% | +33.4% |
| 1979 | 54.9% | +25.0% |
| 1980 | 34.0% | -38.0% |
| 1981 | 14.0% | -58.9% |
| 1982 | 10.3% | -26.4% |
| 1983 | 6.2% | -40.1% |
| 1984 | 5.3% | -14.3% |
| 1985 | 9.2% | +74.1% |
| 1986 | 8.4% | -8.6% |
| 1987 | 6.4% | -24.3% |
| 1988 | 8.7% | +37.4% |
| 1989 | 4.9% | -43.8% |
| 1990 | 10.0% | +102.9% |
| 1991 | 11.4% | +14.1% |
| 1992 | 16.7% | +46.8% |
| 1993 | 24.0% | +43.6% |
| 1994 | 21.3% | -11.1% |
| 1995 | 16.2% | -24.1% |
| 1996 | 17.7% | +9.7% |
| 1997 | 17.5% | -1.4% |
| 1998 | 17.6% | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 17.3% | -1.3% |
| 2000 | 16.8% | -3.4% |
| 2001 | 9.5% | -43.1% |
| 2002 | 7.1% | -25.8% |
| 2003 | 8.7% | +22.4% |
| 2004 | 11.7% | +35.1% |
| 2005 | 21.5% | +83.5% |
| 2006 | 26.9% | +25.4% |
| 2007 | 38.2% | +41.9% |
| 2008 | 35.7% | -6.4% |
| 2009 | 35.9% | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 41.2% | +14.8% |
| 2011 | 32.4% | -21.5% |
| 2012 | 30.9% | -4.6% |
| 2013 | 20.3% | -34.2% |
| 2014 | 20.4% | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 14.4% | -29.5% |
| 2016 | 21.1% | +46.8% |
| 2017 | 24.5% | +15.8% |
| 2018 | 23.8% | -2.6% |
| 2019 | 16.0% | -32.9% |
| 2020 | 15.4% | -3.6% |
| 2021 | 16.1% | +4.5% |
| 2022 | 18.0% | +11.7% |
| 2023 | 9.1% | -49.3% |
| 2024 | 12.2% | +33.6% |
Argentina compared with similar countries
- Argentina's 12.2% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 38.0%, 32% of the median. (51 countries reporting)
- Argentina's 12.2% is below the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 33.6%, 36% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 24.7% | 4.8% | 54.9% | 9 |
| 1980s | 10.7% | 4.9% | 34.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 17.0% | 10.0% | 24.0% | 10 |
| 2000s | 21.2% | 7.1% | 38.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 24.5% | 14.4% | 41.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 14.2% | 9.1% | 18.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Argentina
More financial sector data for Argentina
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2022)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2022)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2022)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 0 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate -100 % change on previous year (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Argentina?
- Total reserves in Argentina was 12.2% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Argentina?
- The highest recorded value was 54.9% in 1979.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Argentina?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.8% in 1971.
- How does Argentina rank for total reserves?
- Argentina ranks 101st out of 112 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Argentina?
- Over the last ten years it is down 40.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Argentina data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total reserves (% of total external debt). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Reserve assets are external assets, including monetary gold, that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). Reserve assets must be denominated and settled in foreign currency. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of total external debt which are all liabilities that require payment(s) of interest and/or principal by the debtor at some point(s) in the future and that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy.