Updated
Overview
Mexico has 2.2 times the population of Italy: 131.95 million people against 58.92 million (2025).
Italy's economy is about 40% larger than Mexico's, at $2.55T versus $1.83T.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Italy | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.83T | Higher: $2.55T | 2025 | $1.85T / $2.37T |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $43,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 0.6% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 4.7% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 6.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 69 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $3,994 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 58.92 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 60.92 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 48.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 301,336 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 195.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 302 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $37.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 338,000 | 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, 0.5% for Italy).
Mexico runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 8.7 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 75.3).
Mexico is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 6.5 times the size of Italy: 1,964,375 km² versus 301,336 km².
Italy is far more densely settled: 196 people per km² against 67.
Military
Italy spends 2.3 times as much on defence as Mexico: $37.96B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 338,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Italy?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Italy covers 301,336 km², so Mexico is 6.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Italy?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 58.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Italy?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $13,889. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $2.55T for Italy.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Italy?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).