Young Argentines’ Debt Crisis Tests Milei Support

Rising household debt is putting pressure on young Argentines and testing support for current President Javier Milei’s economic program. Martín Taborda, a 20-year-old law student, says unemployment and a debt that grew from roughly $100 to $1,300 have made it impossible to afford transportation and books, threatening his goal of becoming the first in his family to graduate. Nearly half of Argentina’s 45 million people owe money, more than 5 million are behind on payments, and borrowers under 25 have the country’s highest delinquency rate, at 37.6%. Opposition lawmakers are seeking interest-rate caps, refinancing options and other debt-relief measures, while labor unions and debtors planned protests outside Congress. The debate highlights growing frustration over jobs and wages despite Milei’s success in reducing inflation, giving the fragmented opposition an opportunity to mobilize younger voters ahead of the next presidential election.