Updated
Overview
Mexico has 2.7 times the population of Spain: 131.95 million people against 49.36 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $1.83T for Mexico and $1.91T for Spain.
Per person, Spain is the wealthier of the two: $38,627 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Spain | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.83T | Higher: $1.91T | 2025 | $1.85T / $1.72T |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $38,627 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | 4.7% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 10.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 65 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $3,574 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $1,561 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 49.36 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 47.28 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 45.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.23 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 83.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 505,992 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 97.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 220 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 4.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $24.62B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 1.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 199,000 | 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
Spain is growing faster: 2.8% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.8% in Mexico and 2.7% in Spain.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 65 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Spain: $3,574 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 45.9 years.
Life expectancy is 8.6 years longer in Spain (83.9 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Spain (96% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 3.9 times the size of Spain: 1,964,375 km² versus 505,992 km².
Military
Spain spends about 45% more on defence than Mexico: $24.62B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 199,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Spain?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Spain covers 505,992 km², so Mexico is 3.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Spain?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 49.36 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Spain?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Spain is richer: $38,627 against $13,889. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $1.91T for Spain.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Spain?
- Spain spends more: $24.62B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).