Updated
Overview
Brazil has about 60% more people than Mexico: 212.81 million against 131.95 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 24% larger than Mexico's, at $2.28T versus $1.83T.
Per person, Mexico is the wealthier of the two: $13,889 against $10,713 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Mexico | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $1.83T | 2025 | $2.18T / $1.85T |
| GDP per capita | $10,713 | Higher: $13,889 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.3% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.0% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | 4.4% / 4.7% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $607 | $551 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $353 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | $6.27 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 131.95 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 130.74 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 76.0 yrs | 75.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 80% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 84% | 83% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 1,964,375 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 67.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 461 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.3 t | 3.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $16.73B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 341,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Brazil is growing faster: 2.3% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 5.0% in Brazil and 3.8% in Mexico.
Average monthly earnings favour Brazil: $607 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the younger society: median age 29.6 versus 34.8 years.
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 4.3 times the size of Mexico: 8,515,767 km² versus 1,964,375 km².
Mexico is far more densely settled: 67 people per km² against 25.
Military
Brazil spends 25% more on defence than Mexico: $20.95B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 341,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Mexico?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Mexico covers 1,964,375 km², so Brazil is 4.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Mexico?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 131.95 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Mexico?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Mexico is richer: $13,889 against $10,713. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $1.83T for Mexico.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Mexico?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).