Updated
Overview
Mexico has 3.7 times the population of Malaysia: 131.95 million people against 35.98 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 3.9 times the size of Malaysia's, at $1.83T versus $472.19B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $472.19B | 2025 | $1.85T / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,889 | $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 4.7% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $353 | $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 136,000 | 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
Malaysia is growing much faster: 5.2% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Mexico runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 1.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 54 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 29.6 (Mexico) and 31.0 (Malaysia).
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in Malaysia (76.8 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 5.9 times the size of Malaysia: 1,964,375 km² versus 330,803 km².
Military
Mexico spends 3.9 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $16.73B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Malaysia?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Mexico is 5.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Malaysia?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Mexico is richer: $13,889 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Malaysia?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).