Demographic and Agricultural Indicators of Argentina

Demographic Indicators

• Crude birth rate: Number of births per 1,000 inhabitants per year.
• Crude mortality rate: Number of deaths per 1,000 inhabitants per year.
• Average annual growth rate: Population increase or decrease per 1,000 inhabitants annually. It is the algebraic sum of the rate of natural increase and the migration growth rate for the same period.
• Total fertility rate: The number of children an average woman would have by the end of her reproductive life, assuming she is not exposed to mortality risk from birth until the end of her fertile period.
• Average parity: Number of children of women of reproductive age (between 15 and 49).
• Life expectancy at birth: Average number of years an infant is expected to live, in accordance with the survival rates prevailing at the time of birth.
• Sex ratio: Number of males per 100 females.
• Potential dependency ratio: The proportion of the economically inactive population relative to the total active population. It expresses the number of inactive people supported by each individual of working age.

Agriculture in Argentina

The agricultural sector is characterized by a dependence on external demand and the coexistence of two distinct areas: the Pampa and extrapampeanas regions. Both subsistence farming and commercial agriculture are present.

The Pampas region has seen significant expansion in cattle and crop production. The five major crops—wheat, corn, sorghum, sunflower, and soybeans—have increased in importance due to:

• New varieties with high genetic potential (GM seeds).
• Increased use of chemicals.
• Improved machinery.

Livestock Production

Livestock has lost relative importance due to several factors:

• Reduction of international markets for Argentine beef.
• Low profitability of cattle compared to crop production.

Regarding sheep farming, much of the production is for subsistence, hindered by a lack of effort to improve wool quality and a poor marketing system for meat and wool.

Agricultural Challenges

• Delay in the incorporation of technology.
• Lack of proper distribution of seed varieties.
• Problems in the supply of fuel.
• High cost of seeds.

Strategic Requirements for Argentina

To improve the sector, Argentina needs to:

1. Maintain a high level of information regarding production, technology, land, markets, and labor.
2. Set clear long-term and short-term objectives.
3. Invest in, clarify, and strengthen the domestic market.
4. Diversify products.