Updated
Overview
Mexico has about 90% more people than France: 131.95 million against 68.72 million (2025).
France's economy is about 85% larger than Mexico's, at $3.37T versus $1.83T.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | France | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.83T | Higher: $3.37T | 2025 | $1.85T / $3.16T |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $48,986 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 4.7% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 77 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $5,024 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $2,036 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 68.72 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 68.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 643,801 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 106.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 264 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $64.68B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 304,000 | 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, 0.8% for France).
Mexico runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 42.3 years.
Life expectancy is 7.7 years longer in France (83.0 vs 75.3).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 3.1 times the size of France: 1,964,375 km² versus 643,801 km².
Military
France spends 3.9 times as much on defence as Mexico: $64.68B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, France carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 304,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than France?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while France covers 643,801 km², so Mexico is 3.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or France?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 68.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than France?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $13,889. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $3.37T for France.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or France?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).