Updated
Overview
Mexico has 3.6 times the population of Saudi Arabia: 131.95 million people against 36.97 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is about 45% larger than Saudi Arabia's, at $1.83T versus $1.28T.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $1.28T | 2025 | $1.85T / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 4.7% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $1,799 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 36.97 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 461 Mt | 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 282,000 | 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
Saudi Arabia is growing much faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Mexico and 2.1% in Saudi Arabia.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 29.6 (Mexico) and 29.6 (Saudi Arabia).
Life expectancy is 3.7 years longer in Saudi Arabia (79.0 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Saudi Arabia (100% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 9% smaller than Saudi Arabia: 1,964,375 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
Mexico is far more densely settled: 67 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 4.8 times as much on defence as Mexico: $80.33B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 282,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so Saudi Arabia is 9% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Saudi Arabia?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $13,889. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).