Updated
Overview
Mexico has 6.6 times the population of Chile: 131.95 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 5.1 times the size of Chile's, at $1.83T versus $357.37B.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $357.37B | 2025 | $1.85T / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.8% | 4.2% | 2025 | 4.7% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $1,024 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 114,000 | 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
Chile is growing faster: 2.5% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Mexico and 4.2% in Chile.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the younger society: median age 29.6 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.1 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Chile (96% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 2.6 times the size of Chile: 1,964,375 km² versus 756,102 km².
Mexico is far more densely settled: 67 people per km² against 26.
Military
Mexico spends 3.3 times as much on defence as Chile: $16.73B versus $5.11B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Chile?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Mexico is 2.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Chile?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $13,889. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Chile?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).