Updated
Overview
Mexico has about 45% more people than Iran: 131.95 million against 92.42 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 5.1 times the size of Iran's, at $1.83T versus $362.68B.
Per person, Mexico is the wealthier of the two: $13,889 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Iran | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $362.68B | 2025 | $1.85T / $436.91B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,889 | $3,924 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 0.6% | -2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.8% | 42.2% | 2025 | 4.7% / 32.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $1,264 | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 92.42 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 89.18 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 34.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.67 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 85% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 1,648,195 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 56.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 461 Mt | 793 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 8.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $7.89B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 650,000 | 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
Mexico grew while the other economy contracted: 0.6% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 3.8%.
People and society
Mexico is the younger society: median age 29.6 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 2.6 years longer in Iran (77.9 vs 75.3).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 19% larger than Iran: 1,964,375 km² versus 1,648,195 km².
Military
Mexico spends 2.1 times as much on defence as Iran: $16.73B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Iran carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 341,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Iran?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Iran covers 1,648,195 km², so Mexico is 19% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Iran?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 92.42 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Iran?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Mexico is richer: $13,889 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $362.68B for Iran.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Iran?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).