Updated
Overview
Mexico has 2.0 times the population of South Africa: 131.95 million people against 64.75 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 4.3 times the size of South Africa's, at $1.83T versus $427.18B.
Per person, Mexico is the wealthier of the two: $13,889 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $427.18B | 2025 | $1.85T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,889 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 3.2% | 2025 | 4.7% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $551 | $485 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $353 | $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 75.3 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 83% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 89,000 | 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
South Africa is growing faster: 1.1% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Mexico and 3.2% in South Africa.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 54 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Mexico: $551 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 29.6 (Mexico) and 28.7 (South Africa).
Life expectancy is 9.0 years longer in Mexico (75.3 vs 66.3).
Mexico is considerably more urbanized: 80% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 61% larger than South Africa: 1,964,375 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
Military
Mexico spends 5.9 times as much on defence as South Africa: $16.73B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than South Africa?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so Mexico is 61% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or South Africa?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Mexico is richer: $13,889 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or South Africa?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).