Updated
Overview
Mexico has 7.1 times the population of Guatemala: 131.95 million people against 18.69 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 15 times the size of Guatemala's, at $1.83T versus $123.31B.
Per person, Mexico is the wealthier of the two: $13,889 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Guatemala | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $123.31B | 2025 | $1.85T / $113.20B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,889 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 4.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 4.7% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | 2.7% | Lower: 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 43 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $551 | $465 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $431 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $4.46 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 18.69 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 18.26 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 23.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 2.26 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 75.3 yrs | 72.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 56% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 83% | 60% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 108,889 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 171.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 20 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.5 t | Lower: 1.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $415.19M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 0.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 43,000 | 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
Guatemala is growing much faster: 4.3% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Mexico runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Guatemala: a price level of 43 versus 54 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Mexico: $551 against $465 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Guatemala is the younger society: median age 23.4 versus 29.6 years.
Life expectancy is 2.5 years longer in Mexico (75.3 vs 72.7).
Mexico is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Mexico (83% vs 60% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 18 times the size of Guatemala: 1,964,375 km² versus 108,889 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Guatemala is far more densely settled: 172 people per km² against 67.
Military
Mexico spends 40 times as much on defence as Guatemala: $16.73B versus $415.19M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 43,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Guatemala?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Guatemala covers 108,889 km², so Mexico is 18 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Guatemala?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 18.69 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Guatemala?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Mexico is richer: $13,889 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $123.31B for Guatemala.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Guatemala?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $415.19M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).