Argentina’s economic activity rose 3.5% year-on-year in December 2025, rebounding from a 0.1% contraction in November and marking a return to expansion, according to official data released four hours ago.
The recovery was largely driven by a sharp acceleration in the agricultural sector, which surged 32.2%, up from 11.5% in the previous month. Mining activity also strengthened, expanding 9.1% compared to 7.3% in November, while utilities growth accelerated to 10.7% from 1.8%.
Financial intermediation remained a strong contributor, rising 14.1% (vs. 13.8%), alongside continued gains in real estate and business services (1.6% vs. 0.5%) and transport and communications (1.8% vs. 1.9%). Construction returned to positive territory, edging up 0.3% after a 2.5% decline, while education posted a modest 0.3% increase.
However, the broader recovery was tempered by ongoing contractions in key sectors. Manufacturing fell 3.9%, though the decline eased from 8.0% in November. Trade shrank 1.3%, narrowing from a 6.0% drop, while public sector activity remained negative at -1.1%. Hotels and restaurants also slipped into contraction, declining 1.5% after growing 0.8% a month earlier.
On a monthly seasonally adjusted basis, economic activity increased 1.8%, while the trend-cycle indicator rose 0.3%, signaling gradual underlying improvement.
The December data suggest Argentina’s economy ended 2025 on firmer footing, supported primarily by strong agricultural performance and steady gains in extractive and service industries.
