Updated
Overview
Mexico has 24 times the population of Ireland: 131.95 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 2.5 times the size of Ireland's, at $1.83T versus $721.70B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $721.70B | 2025 | $1.85T / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 4.7% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $5,697 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $2,579 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Mexico and 2.2% in Ireland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Ireland: $5,697 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 39.0 years.
Life expectancy is 7.7 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 75.3).
Mexico is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 65%.
Internet adoption is higher in Ireland (97% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 28 times the size of Ireland: 1,964,375 km² versus 70,273 km².
Military
Mexico spends 13 times as much on defence as Ireland: $16.73B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Ireland?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Mexico is 28 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Ireland?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $13,889. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Ireland?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).