Argentina recorded the world’s second-worst industrial decline from 2023 to 2025, said a consulting firm that analyzed data from the United Nations. In the last two years, Argentina’s manufacturing sector fell by 7.9%, surpassed only by Hungary, which fell by 8.2%, said the consultancy Audemus, founded by former Minister of Productive Development Matías Kulfas. Audeumus analyzed data from 56 out of the 81 countries surveyed by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Colombia and Mexico declined, the report said, “but within minimal ranges (-0.7% and -0.4%).”Factories closed and jobs lostSince Milei took office, Argentina’s manufacturing sector has struggled amid import liberalization and weak domestic demand. During Sunday’s start-of-the-year speech in Congress, President Javier Milei lambasted Paolo Rocca and Javier Madanes Quintanilla, two of the main industrial businessmen in Argentina.

Source: Bueno Aires Herald March 06, 2026 09:23 UTC