Updated
Overview
Mexico has 11 times the population of Belgium: 131.95 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 2.5 times the size of Belgium's, at $1.83T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $725.47B | 2025 | $1.85T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 4.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $7,044 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 24,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (0.6% for Mexico, 1.0% for Belgium).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Mexico and 2.5% in Belgium.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 7.0 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Belgium (96% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 64 times the size of Belgium: 1,964,375 km² versus 30,528 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 67.
Military
Mexico spends 2.0 times as much on defence as Belgium: $16.73B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Belgium?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Mexico is 64 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Belgium?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $13,889. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Belgium?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).