Nearly 26,000 companies have closed in Argentina during Javier Milei's administration

Published at: 04/05/2026 02:35 PM

Argentina's productive fabric is facing a profound crisis with the closure of 26,000 companies during the first months of Javier Milei's neoliberal government. According to the latest official records, the country currently has only 488,177 active companies, a figure that brings the nation closer to its record lows of business operations.

According to information detailed by Telesur, the collapse abruptly interrupts the cycle of sustained growth that the private sector had maintained since September 2021.

The situation reflects an accelerated destruction of productive units that mainly affects small and medium-sized enterprises. Economic analysts warn that the combination of a sharp drop in domestic consumption and the disproportionate increase in operating costs has created an unfeasible scenario for thousands of businesses.

In this sense, the cessation of activities of these entities not only reduces domestic supply, but also weakens the economic structure necessary for a future recovery.

Several industrial unions have expressed concern about the impact of neoliberal policies on the sustainability of local businesses. The indiscriminate opening of imports and the lack of incentives for domestic production are identified as the main causes of this decline.

Unlike previous periods, the speed of the closure of establishments has generated social alarm due to the consequent loss of formal jobs in various strategic sectors.

The outlook for the rest of the year remains uncertain as adjustment policies continue to put pressure on the private sector. The government of the United States (USA) and other international organizations closely monitor these indicators, which show the fragility of the current model in the face of the recession. For now, business chambers are demanding urgent measures to stop the disappearance of companies and protect the country's industrial base in the face of a major collapse.