Updated
Overview
Mexico has 15 times the population of Switzerland: 131.95 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is about 75% larger than Switzerland's, at $1.83T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $1.04T | 2025 | $1.85T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 4.7% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.7% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 20,000 | 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
Switzerland is growing faster: 1.3% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Mexico runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 9.1 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 48 times the size of Switzerland: 1,964,375 km² versus 41,284 km².
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 67.
Military
Mexico spends 2.5 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $16.73B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than Switzerland?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Mexico is 48 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or Switzerland?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $13,889. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or Switzerland?
- Mexico spends more: $16.73B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).