Updated
Overview
Mexico has 13% more people than the Philippines: 131.95 million against 116.79 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 3.8 times the size of the Philippines', at $1.83T versus $487.09B.
Per person, Mexico is the wealthier of the two: $13,889 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Philippines | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $487.09B | 2025 | $1.85T / $461.62B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,889 | $4,171 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 1.7% | 2025 | 4.7% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 2.7% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $551 | $316 | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $353 | $145 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $2.74 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 116.79 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 118.28 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 26.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.88 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 75.3 yrs | 69.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 56% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 83% | 67% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 342,353 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 341.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 175 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.5 t | Lower: 1.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $6.12B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 157,000 | 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 Philippines is growing much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Mexico runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 1.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 54 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Mexico: $551 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the younger society: median age 26.1 versus 29.6 years.
Life expectancy is 5.3 years longer in Mexico (75.3 vs 69.9).
Mexico is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Mexico (83% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 5.7 times the size of the Philippines: 1,964,375 km² versus 342,353 km².
The Philippines is far more densely settled: 341 people per km² against 67.
Military
Mexico spends 2.7 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $16.73B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than the Philippines?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while the Philippines covers 342,353 km², so Mexico is 5.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or the Philippines?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 116.79 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than the Philippines?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Mexico is richer: $13,889 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $487.09B for the Philippines.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or the Philippines?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).