Updated
Overview
Mexico has 2.6 times the population of South Korea: 131.95 million people against 51.68 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $1.83T for Mexico and $1.87T for South Korea.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.83T | Higher: $1.87T | 2025 | $1.85T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 4.7% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 461 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 569,000 | 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, 1.0% for South Korea).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Mexico and 2.1% in South Korea.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 8.4 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 20 times the size of South Korea: 1,964,375 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 67.
Military
South Korea spends 2.8 times as much on defence as Mexico: $47.57B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, South Korea carries the heavier military burden: 2.6% of GDP versus 0.9%.
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 341,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than South Korea?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Mexico is 20 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or South Korea?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $13,889. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).