Economic activity was devastated in Argentina during the fateful year of 2020. Official data records a 10% contraction, the largest decrease on the continent alongside Peru, if the Venezuelan catastrophe is not taken into account. In 2002, when Argentina collapsed, the fall was only slightly worse at 10.9%. Inflation is high (38.5% over the last 12 months and picking up), the peso continues to devalue, Central Bank reserves stand at less than $3 billion and four out of every 10 Argentines live below the poverty line. The macroeconomic outlook is alarming.
