Updated
Overview
Mexico has 6.9 times the population of Romania: 131.95 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 4.3 times the size of Romania's, at $1.83T versus $428.68B.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $428.68B | 2025 | $1.85T / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.8% | 7.2% | 2025 | 4.7% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $1,722 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 128,000 | 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, 0.7% for Romania).
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 3.8%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 54 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 1.2 years longer in Romania (76.5 vs 75.3).
Mexico is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 8.2 times the size of Romania: 1,964,375 km² versus 238,391 km².
Military
Mexico spends about 90% more on defence than Romania: $16.73B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Romania carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Romania?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Mexico is 8.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Romania?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $13,889. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Romania?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).