Updated
Overview
Mexico has 7.3 times the population of the Netherlands: 131.95 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is about 40% larger than the Netherlands', at $1.83T versus $1.33T.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $1.33T | 2025 | $1.85T / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | 4.7% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $6,402 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $2,538 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 41,000 | 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
The Netherlands is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Mexico and 3.3% in the Netherlands.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 41.5 years.
Life expectancy is 6.7 years longer in the Netherlands (82.0 vs 75.3).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 80%.
Internet adoption is higher in the Netherlands (97% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 47 times the size of the Netherlands: 1,964,375 km² versus 41,850 km².
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 67.
Military
The Netherlands spends about 40% more on defence than Mexico: $23.18B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the Netherlands carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than the Netherlands?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Mexico is 47 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or the Netherlands?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $13,889. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or the Netherlands?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).