Argentine Peso
Peso argentino
Currency Code
ARS
ISO 032
Symbol
ARS
Native: $
Decimal Digits
2
Rounding: 0
Countries
AR
Using this currency
Currency Units
Major Unit
Name: peso
Symbol: $
Minor Unit
Name: centavo
Symbol:
Value: 0.01
Banknotes
Frequently Used
$10$20$50$100$200$500$1000$2000
Coins
Frequently Used
$1$2$5$10
Rarely Used
5 centavos10 centavos25 centavos50 centavos
Plural Forms
English Plural
Argentine pesos
Native Plural
Pesos argentinos
Overview
The Argentine Peso is the currency of Argentina, managed by the Central Bank of Argentina. It has experienced significant volatility and multiple devaluations due to economic instability and inflation.
Economy
- Argentina is a member of Mercosur, G20, OAS, UNASUR, CELAC.
- Main industries include: Food processing, Automotive, Textiles, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Steel, Aluminum.
- Argentina is part of the World Trade Organization.
- Imports are machinery, motor vehicles, petroleum, natural gas, organic chemicals, plastics.
- Major exports include beef, wheat, corn, soybeans, manufactured goods, fuel.
- GDP: $487.2 billion (2023 est.).
- GDP per capita: $10,729 (2023 est.).
- Unemployment rate: 6.2% (2023 est.).
- Inflation rate: 124.4% (2023 est.).
- Main trading partners: Brazil, China, United States, Chile, Germany, Paraguay.
- Trade agreements: Mercosur agreements, Argentina-Chile FTA, Various bilateral agreements.
History
- Previous currencies used: Spanish colonial real, Peso moneda nacional, Peso ley, Peso argentino, Austral.
- The current peso was introduced in 1992, initially pegged to the US dollar. Argentina has had multiple currency crises and several different peso versions throughout its history.
- 1826: First peso introduced
- 1970: Peso ley introduced
- 1983: Peso argentino introduced
- 1985: Austral introduced
- 1992: Current peso introduced with dollar peg
- 2001: Currency crisis and devaluation
- 2019-present: Multiple exchange rate controls and restrictions
- Exchange rate peg: USD (1992-2001) at 1:1.
- Exchange rate peg: Managed float with controls (2001-present).
General Information
- ISO 4217 Code: ARS
- Symbols: ARS/$
- Currency Subunits: 100 centavos
- Central Bank: Central Bank of Argentina
- Monetary Policy: Multiple exchange rate system with capital controls. Focus on managing inflation and external imbalances while dealing with fiscal constraints.
- Bills: 20 pesos, 50 pesos, 100 pesos, 200 pesos, 500 pesos, 1000 pesos, 2000 pesos, 10000 pesos
- Coins: 5 centavos, 10 centavos, 25 centavos, 50 centavos, 1 peso, 2 pesos, 5 pesos, 10 pesos
- USD Exchange Rate: Variable (multiple exchange rates due to controls)
- Pegged To: None (Floating)
- Capital: Buenos Aires
- Population: 45,479,118 (2023 est.)
- Area: 2,780,400 km²
- Languages: Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, Indigenous languages
- Time Zones: UTC-3 (Argentina Time)
- Government Type: Federal presidential republic
- Head of Government: President (head of state and government)
- Independence: July 9, 1816 (from Spain)
- Ethnic Groups: European 97%, Amerindian 2.4%, African 0.4%, Asian 0.2%
- Religions: Roman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3%, Jehovah's Witnesses 1.4%, Other Christian 1.2%, Other 1.2%, None 18%
- Literacy Rate: 99.1% (2018 est.)
- Transport: Extensive road and rail networks, Buenos Aires metro, major airports and ports, domestic aviation
- Communications: Good telecommunications, 82% internet penetration, widespread mobile and broadband coverage
- Energy: Natural gas 53%, Oil 32%, Hydroelectric 11%, Nuclear 3%, Other renewables 1%
- Countries Using This Currency: Argentina
- Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of Argentina (bcra.gob.ar), Economic Data: INDEC Argentina, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Argentina Customs (AFIP), Demographic Data: INDEC Argentina, Geographic Data: Argentina Geographic Institute, Historical Data: Central Bank of Argentina archives
- Last Updated: 2025