Updated
Overview
Russia and Mexico are nearly matched in population: 143.51 million versus 131.95 million people (2025).
Russia's economy is about 40% larger than Mexico's, at $2.56T versus $1.83T.
Per person, Russia is the wealthier of the two: $17,547 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Mexico | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $1.83T | 2025 | $2.17T / $1.85T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $17,547 | $13,889 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.0% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | 6.7% / 4.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 54 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $777 | $551 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $353 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $6.27 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 131.95 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 130.74 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 75.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 80% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 83% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 1,964,375 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 67.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 461 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 3.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $16.73B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 341,000 | 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 (1.0% for Russia, 0.6% for Mexico).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 3.8%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 54 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Russia: $777 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 1.8 years longer in Mexico (75.3 vs 73.4).
Internet adoption is higher in Russia (94% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 8.7 times the size of Mexico: 17,098,242 km² versus 1,964,375 km².
Mexico is far more densely settled: 67 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 8.9 times as much on defence as Mexico: $148.97B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 341,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Mexico?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Mexico covers 1,964,375 km², so Russia is 8.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Mexico?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 131.95 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Mexico?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Russia is richer: $17,547 against $13,889. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.56T for Russia versus $1.83T for Mexico.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Mexico?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).