Argentina
vs
Italy
Head to head: who leads each category
Argentina
45.9M
Italy
58.9M
Leads
Argentina
$683.1B
Italy
$2.6T
Leads
Argentina
$4.2B
Italy
$38.0B
Leads
Argentina
#40
Italy
#20
Leads
About this relationship
Italy and Argentina share one of the closest bonds between any two nations on different continents, rooted in mass emigration: between 1870 and 1960, more than two million Italians crossed the Atlantic to settle in Argentina, and today an estimated 60 percent or more of Argentines claim at least partial Italian ancestry.
Formal ties date to 1836, when the Kingdom of Sardinia became the first Italian state to recognize Argentine independence, followed by a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation in 1855 and the establishment of a full Italian embassy in Buenos Aires in 1924.
The scale of migration led to a 1973 dual citizenship agreement that remains in force, allowing large numbers of Argentines of Italian descent to hold Italian passports, while more than 800 Italian-Argentine cultural associations and organizations such as the Dante Alighieri Society sustain language and heritage ties.
Economically, trade centers on Argentine agricultural exports such as wheat, soybeans, and beef moving toward Italy, and Italian machinery, steel, and pharmaceutical products moving the other way, with Italian companies including Fiat and the Techint industrial group maintaining a long-standing presence in Argentina.
High-level visits, including a 2017 state visit by President Sergio Mattarella and a 2024 visit by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, underscore a relationship best described as a deep and largely uncomplicated kinship, sustained more by shared ancestry and culture than by strategic necessity.
Strengths & comparison
The position in the international influence ranking of Italy is 20, while Argentina is situated 20 places below in the ranking (position 40). Italy maintains contact with 85 countries, while Argentina maintains contact with 67 countries. Italy maintains an excellent relation with 18 countries, while in the case of Argentina, this figure drops to 6.
About Argentina
Argentina is a federal presidential representative democratic republic located in South America. It is the second-largest country in South America and the eighth-largest country in the world. The country is bordered by Chile to the west, Bolivia and Paraguay to the north, Brazil to the northeast, Uruguay and the South Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Drake Passage to the south.
Argentina has a diverse economy, with a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. It is a member of the G20, a group of the world's largest economies, and is a founding member of the Mercosur trade bloc. The country has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from Europe, indigenous cultures, and Africa. The official language is Spanish, and the currency is the Argentine peso.
Argentina has a history of political instability, with frequent changes in government and economic crises. In recent years, the country has struggled with high levels of inflation and public debt, which have led to economic difficulties and social unrest.
Geography & terrain
Enormous latitudinal range of terrain: the fertile Pampas plains in the center, the Andes forming a mountain wall along the western border, and Patagonian steppe in the south. Climate spans subtropical north to cold, windswept south. Extensive Atlantic coastline. The Andes provide a strong natural defense to the west, but the open plains and long coast leave the core more exposed.
About Italy
Italy is a country located in Southern Europe, comprising the boot-shaped Italian Peninsula and a number of islands in the Mediterranean Sea, including Sardinia and Sicily. It is a founding member of the European Union and the eurozone, and a member of the United Nations, NATO, the Council of Europe, and the G7.
Italy has a population of about 60 million people and is the eighth-most populous country in the European Union. It has a diverse economy that is heavily reliant on exports and is a major producer of agricultural products, industrial goods, and services. It is also home to many important cultural and historical sites, and is known for its rich artistic and architectural heritage.
Italy is a parliamentary republic with a presidential system. Its capital is Rome, which is also the country's largest city. The official language is Italian, and the currency is the Euro. The country is divided into 20 regions, each with its own government and legislature.
Italy has a long history of political and social instability, with frequent changes in government and a history of corruption. However, it has made significant progress in recent years in addressing these issues and has become a more stable and prosperous country. It is an important member of the European Union and plays a significant role in international affairs.
Geography & terrain
A long peninsula dominated by the Apennine mountain spine, with the Alps forming a high wall across the north and the Po River plain below them. Mediterranean climate along the coasts, cooler and more continental in the Alps. Long coastline on multiple seas. The Alps and rugged interior have historically been hard to cross in force, but the extensive coastline leaves the peninsula open to seaborne landings and raids.
| Argentina |
Italy |
|
|---|---|---|
| Government type | Federal presidential republic | Parliamentary republic |
| GDP | $683.1B | $2.6TLeads |
| GDP per capita | $14.9K | $43.3KLeads |
| Military expenditure | $4.2B | $38.0BLeads |
| Military expenditure per capita | $91 | $644Leads |
| Land military expenditure (estimation) | $1.7B | $13.3BLeads |
| Air military expenditure (estimation) | $1.0B | $11.4BLeads |
| Naval military expenditure (estimation) | $1.5B | $13.3BLeads |
| Nuclear power | No | No |
| European Union | Not a member | Member |
| NATO | Not a member | Member |
Argentina and Italy also share membership in: G20
Strengths & comparison
The capitals of Argentina and Italy are approximately 11 152 km apart (straight-line distance). There is a standard time difference of about 4.0 hours between them.
Based on shared language, currency, economic profile, borders and international groups, Argentina and Italy score a 25/100 similarity index. This is a fun, approximate metric — not a scientific one.
Excellent relation (7+/10) with both countries
Which side is each country closer to?
Comparing Argentina's and Italy's scores against the same third countries shows where each one has a clear edge. Argentina scores noticeably higher with: Mexico, Ukraine, Germany, Colombia, Libya.Italy scores noticeably higher with: Iran, France, Sweden, Greece, Switzerland.
Let's suppose a hypothetical conflict occurs between both countries:
Solo scenario: Argentina vs Italy
Allies scenario: Team Argentina vs Team Italy
In a hypothetical conflict between Argentina and Italy, probably, Argentina won't have any partner.
Iran will participate helping Italy.
Battle narrative
Initial phase
Italy's larger military budget and stronger air power give it an advantage in the initial stages of the conflict, with the ability to target key military positions and infrastructure.
Force composition
Argentina can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Italy's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
Argentina's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The Andes provide a strong natural defense to the west, but the open plains and long coast leave the core more exposed. Strait of Magellan would likely be a focal point of the campaign: A natural passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the southern tip of South America, historically vital for shipping that avoids the open seas around Cape Horn. Italy's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The Alps and rugged interior have historically been hard to cross in force, but the extensive coastline leaves the peninsula open to seaborne landings and raids. Strait of Sicily would likely be a focal point of the campaign: The narrow sea gap between Sicily and Tunisia that channels shipping between the western and eastern Mediterranean. Italy's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.
Prolonged conflict
Italy's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Italy also devotes a larger share of its economy to defense (about 1.5% of GDP), a more militarized posture that could be easier to sustain over time. Occupying Argentina outright would likely prove costly given its terrain.
Overall assessment
Overall, the numbers favor Italy, giving it an estimated 60.7% chance of coming out on top. Turning that edge into a decisive win over Argentina — and holding any ground taken — would still be far from guaranteed.
Initial phase
Italy's team's larger military budget and stronger air power give it an advantage in the initial stages of the conflict, with the ability to target key military positions and infrastructure.
Force composition
Italy's team can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Italy's team's advantage extends to naval power as well.
Ground campaign
Argentina's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The Andes provide a strong natural defense to the west, but the open plains and long coast leave the core more exposed. Strait of Magellan would likely be a focal point of the campaign: A natural passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the southern tip of South America, historically vital for shipping that avoids the open seas around Cape Horn. Italy's team's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.
Coalition
Italy's team goes into this conflict as a coalition of Iran and Italy. Fighting as part of a coalition brings combined strength, though coordinating several countries also adds logistical complexity.
Prolonged conflict
Italy's team's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Italy's team also devotes a larger share of its economy to defense (about 1.6% of GDP), a more militarized posture that could be easier to sustain over time. Occupying Argentina's team outright would likely prove costly given its terrain.
Overall assessment
Italy's team would be more likely to prevail in this matchup, with an estimated 68.6% probability of winning. Achieving a decisive victory over Argentina's team — let alone occupying it — would likely be more difficult than that headline number suggests.
Want to build your own teams? Try the War Simulator.