Updated
Overview
India has 11 times the population of Mexico: 1.46 billion people against 131.95 million (2025).
India's economy is 2.2 times the size of Mexico's, at $3.96T versus $1.83T.
Per person, Mexico is the wealthier of the two: $13,889 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Mexico | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $1.83T | 2025 | $3.91T / $1.85T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $13,889 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 3.8% | 2025 | 5.0% / 4.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $551 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $353 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $6.27 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 131.95 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 130.74 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 75.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 80% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 83% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 1,964,375 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 67.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 461 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 3.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $16.73B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 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
India is growing much faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 3.8% in Mexico.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 54 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Mexico: $551 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 28.8 (India) and 29.6 (Mexico).
Life expectancy is 3.0 years longer in Mexico (75.3 vs 72.2).
Mexico is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Mexico (83% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 67% larger than Mexico: 3,287,590 km² versus 1,964,375 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 67.
Military
India spends 5.1 times as much on defence as Mexico: $86.13B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, India carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.9%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 341,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Mexico?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Mexico covers 1,964,375 km², so India is 67% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, India or Mexico?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 131.95 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Mexico?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Mexico is richer: $13,889 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $1.83T for Mexico.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Mexico?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).