Updated
Overview
Mexico has 11 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 131.95 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Mexico's economy is 3.3 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $1.83T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Mexico | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.83T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $1.85T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $13,889 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.6% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 4.7% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 2.7% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 54 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $551 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $353 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.27 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 131.95 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 130.74 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.8% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.87 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 75.3 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 83% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,964,375 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 67.2/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 461 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.5 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $16.73B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 341,000 | 63,000 | 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
The United Arab Emirates is growing much faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Mexico runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 29.6 (Mexico) and 31.6 (the United Arab Emirates).
Life expectancy is 7.8 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Mexico is 23 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 1,964,375 km² versus 83,600 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 67.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends about 35% more on defence than Mexico: $22.76B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Mexico fields the larger armed forces: 341,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Mexico bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Mexico is larger by land area. Mexico covers 1,964,375 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Mexico is 23 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Mexico or the United Arab Emirates?
- Mexico has the larger population: 131.95 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Mexico richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $13,889. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.83T for Mexico versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Mexico or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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