Countries

Country Snapshot

Argentina has 40 million citizens, more than one-third of whom live in the greater Buenos Aires area. The nation benefits from rich natural resources, a highly educated population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base.

According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (2009), Argentina ranks tenth in the world in terms of “entrepreneurial activity,” with 14.7% of the population between the ages of 18 and 64 involved in some form of entrepreneurship. Culturally, Argentine society looks favorably on entrepreneurial projects, and entrepreneurship is generally seen as a positive career path. The number of stories of successful entrepreneurial ventures covered by the media has recently been on the rise.

Nevertheless, there are challenges. For instance, only 7% of new enterprises survive their first year and only 3% remain in business for five years. Further, starting a new business involves complicated bureaucratic processes, and regulations are not always clear. Further, entrepreneurs in Argentina often have difficultly accessing capital.