Argentina - Population
The population of Argentina in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 38,428,000, which placed it as number 31 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 10% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 28% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 96 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 1.17%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 43,450,000. The population density in 2002 was 13 per sq km (34 per sq mi).
It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 90% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital city, Buenos Aires, had a population of 12,423,000 in that year. More than one-third of all Argentines live in or around Buenos Aires. Other estimated metropolitan area populations in 2000 were Córdoba, 1,407,000; Rosario, 1,228,000; Mendoza, 943,000; La Plata, 676,000; and San Miguel de Tucumán, 642,000. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was 1.5%.
The majority of the population descends from early Spanish or Italian immigrants. Approximately 10% of the people are of indigenous Indian or mestizo descent.