Argentina Inflation: Lavagna Resigns as Stats Chief Amid Milei Dispute

A political controversy has erupted in Argentina following the resignation of Marco Lavagna as director of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC). The resignation came after the government of Javier Milei declined to implement new parameters for measuring inflation.

A Shift in Inflation Measurement

The issue of inflation measurement has been a key focus of the Milei administration, which has reportedly succeeded in slowing the rapid rise in prices in recent years. According to La Nación (Argentina), the new price index for January is expected to be released before February 10th, but it will likely not include the changes proposed by Lavagna.

“Given this, the Government decided to postpone the change in a decision that was almost childish,” La Nación detailed. “The quantitative difference in the index due to the new weighting would have been irrelevant and, clearly explainable and justifiable.”

Lavagna’s Tenure and Background

Lavagna was appointed to the position under the government of Alberto Fernández and maintains a friendship with Sergio Massa, a former Argentine economy minister. He continued in his role following Milei’s election.

Did You Know? During the two terms of Cristina Fernández (2007 – 2015), the inflation index in Argentina was manipulated, which also affected the measurement of poverty.

According to the EFE agency, during Lavagna’s management, the INDEC continued a path of normalization and recovery of its prestige, which began during the government of Mauricio Macri (2015 – 2019) after years of intervention by the Executive Branch.

Recent Inflation Trends

In 2025, Argentina’s inflation rate was 31.5%, the lowest rate in the last eight years. This marks the second consecutive year that prices have slowed their growth. The annual rate recorded in 2025 is the lowest since 2017, when inflation was 24.8%, representing a significant deceleration from the levels of 211.4% in 2023 and 117.8% in 2024.

Private forecasts collected monthly by the Argentine Central Bank indicate that inflation will rise by 20.1% in 2026. This rate is double the 10.1% variation included in the government of Milei’s budget for this year, although other private projections support the official optimism.

Expert Insight: The government’s decision to postpone changes to the inflation measurement methodology suggests a sensitivity to public perception of economic data, particularly as it relates to a key policy focus of the current administration.

What Might Happen Next

The release of the January inflation index before February 10th without Lavagna’s proposed changes could lead to further debate about the accuracy of the official figures. Analysts expect continued scrutiny of the INDEC’s methodology and potential for further personnel changes within the agency. The government may face pressure to justify its decision and demonstrate its commitment to transparent economic reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Marco Lavagna?

Marco Lavagna was the director of the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC) until his resignation on Monday, February 2, 2026. He was appointed under the government of Alberto Fernández.

Why did Marco Lavagna resign?

Marco Lavagna resigned after the government of Javier Milei refused to implement new parameters for measuring inflation.

What was the inflation rate in Argentina in 2025?

The inflation rate in Argentina in 2025 was 31.5%, the lowest rate in the last eight years.

As Argentina navigates a period of economic adjustment, how might changes in inflation measurement impact public trust in official economic data?