Updated
Overview
Mexico has 24 times the population of Norway: 131.95 million people against 5.61 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 3.5 times the size of Norway's, at $1.83T versus $530.76B.
Per person, Norway is the wealthier of the two: $94,594 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Norway | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $530.76B | 2025 | $1.85T / $483.73B |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $94,594 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 3.1% | 2025 | 4.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 91 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $6,440 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $8.05 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 5.61 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 5.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 39.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 84% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 99% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 323,802 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 17.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 37 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 6.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $10.44B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 25,000 | 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
Norway is growing faster: 1.1% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Mexico and 3.1% in Norway.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 91 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Norway: $6,440 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 39.8 years.
Life expectancy is 7.9 years longer in Norway (83.2 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Norway (99% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 6.1 times the size of Norway: 1,964,375 km² versus 323,802 km².
Mexico is far more densely settled: 67 people per km² against 17.
Military
Mexico spends about 60% more on defence than Norway: $16.73B versus $10.44B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Norway carries the heavier military burden: 2.1% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 25,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Norway?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Norway covers 323,802 km², so Mexico is 6.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Norway?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 5.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Norway?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Norway is richer: $94,594 against $13,889. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $530.76B for Norway.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Norway?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $10.44B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).