Updated
Overview
The United States has 2.6 times the population of Mexico: 341.78 million people against 131.95 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 17 times the size of Mexico's, at $30.77T versus $1.83T.
Per person, the United States is the wealthier of the two: $90,027 against $13,889 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | Mexico | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $1.83T | 2025 | $29.18T / $1.85T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $90,027 | $13,889 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.2% | 0.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 3.8% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 4.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,273 | $551 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,257 | $353 | 2026 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $6.27 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 131.95 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 130.74 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.9 yrs | 75.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 80% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 95% | 83% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 1,964,375 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 67.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 461 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 3.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $16.73B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 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
The United States is growing faster: 2.2% annual GDP growth versus 0.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.9% in the United States and 3.8% in Mexico.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Mexico: a price level of 54 versus 100 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United States: $6,273 against $551 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Mexico is the far younger society: median age 29.6 versus 38.5 years.
Life expectancy is 3.6 years longer in the United States (78.9 vs 75.3).
Internet adoption is higher in the United States (95% vs 83% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 5.0 times the size of Mexico: 9,833,517 km² versus 1,964,375 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
The United States spends 60 times as much on defence as Mexico: $997.31B versus $16.73B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United States carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.9%.
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 341,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than Mexico?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while Mexico covers 1,964,375 km², so the United States is 5.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or Mexico?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 131.95 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than Mexico?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United States is richer: $90,027 against $13,889. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.77T for the United States versus $1.83T for Mexico.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or Mexico?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $16.73B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).