Argentina's population was estimated at 36.1 million inhabitans by the year 2001, 50% of which living in the capital city and in the province of Buenos Aires. Almost the totality of its population (97%) is white, due to the relevant contribution of European immigration in the beginning of the 20th century (mainly Spaniards and Italians). In the last decades, immigration movements are primarily originated in the neighboring countries and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Language
The official language is Spanish (or castellano, as Argentineans prefer to call it). In Buenos Aires, it takes some terms from the lunfardo, a typical urban slang. Some Indian languages are also used in the inner country, such as Araucano, Guarani or Quichua.

Religion
There is freedom of cult, although the majority of the population (92%) is Roman Catholic. Protestants 2%, Jews 2%, other 4%.

Traditionally, Argentina has been pointed out as one of the top Latin American countries with regards to the standards of living. However, due to the long economic, political and social slump that the country has recently faced, social indicators have significantly worsen. The traditional Argentinean middle-class has shrinked and the number of new poors sadly proliferate.

In spite of the negative conjuncture, Argentina still preserves a good educational system (for instance, basic education is free of charge and compulsory for children between 6-14 years of age), a low illiteracy rate, among other favorable indicators.

Main social indicators:

Life expectancy at birth: 75 years (men 72, women 79) (2001)

Fertility rate: 2.44 children born/woman (2001)

Infant mortality: 17.75 per thousand children born/woman (2001)

Illiteracy rate: 3.7% (2000) (definition: age 15 and over who can't read or write)

Public universities: 37 (1999)

Private universities: 49 (1999)