The Government of Javier Milei managed to reverse the trend of growth in public employment that had consolidated during the Kirchner administrations. According to data compiled from information from the Ministry of Human Capital and the IMF, the number of public employees per 1,000 inhabitants decreased from 74.3 in 2023 to 71.5 in 2025.
The reduction occurred after the Government implemented a policy of spending cuts, reorganization of the State, and reduction of the public employee workforce, in line with one of the main objectives of the libertarian administration: to reduce the size of the State and eliminate structures deemed unnecessary.
Since Milei took office at the Casa Rosada, 76,216 public employees have been laid off, according to data released by the Government.
Public employment surged during Kirchnerism
The historical evolution clearly shows the growth of state employment during the administrations of Néstor and Cristina Kirchner.
In 2003, at the end of Eduardo Duhalde's presidency, there were 44.7 public employees per 1,000 inhabitants. A year later, during Néstor Kirchner's government, the figure rose to 45.9.
The growth continued throughout the administration. By 2007, the indicator had climbed to 52.7 public employees per 1,000 inhabitants.
During Cristina Kirchner's two terms, the expansion was even more pronounced. The indicator rose from 55.7 in 2008 to 71.4 in 2015, practically 16 additional public employees per 1,000 inhabitants.
The jump is even more significant when comparing the beginning and end of the Kirchnerist period: between 2003 and 2015, the indicator increased from 44.7 to 71.4.
Macri managed to stabilize the indicator, but Alberto Fernández increased it again
During Mauricio Macri's administration, there was a slight correction, although the level of public employment remained high.
The indicator decreased from 70.8 employees per 1,000 inhabitants in 2016 to 70.5 in 2019. That is, there was a moderate reduction, but without substantially changing the relative size of state employment.
