The following is a comparison between the United States of America (USA) and Mexico, the two most populous countries in North America. Let’s read.
USA and Mexico – country comparison
GDP
• The United States has a larger GDP and a higher GDP per capita than Mexico.
| 2025 (IMF) | USA | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | United States Dollar | Mexican Peso |
| GDP (nominal, USD) | $30.77 trillion | $1.83 trillion |
| GDP per capita (nominal, USD) | $89.99 thousand | $13.74 thousand |
| GDP (PPP, international $) | $30.77 trillion | $3.43 trillion |
| GDP per capita (PPP, international $) | $89.99 thousand | $25.68 thousand |
Population
| 2025 estimate | USA | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 347.3 million | 132 million |
| Population aged 0-14 | 17% | 24% |
| Population aged 15-64 | 65% | 67% |
| Population aged 65 and older | 18% | 9% |
| Total fertility rate, per woman | 1.6 | 1.9 |
Life
| USA | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (2023/UN) | 79.3 | 75.07 |
| Human Development Index rank (2023) | 17th | 81st |
| Human Development Index value | 0.938 | 0.789 |
Overview
• The United States is roughly five times larger than Mexico.
• The United States has a larger population than Mexico. However, Mexico is more densely populated.
| USA | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | approximately 9.8 million sq km | approximately 1.97 million sq km |
| Population | 347.3 million (2025 estimate) | 132 million (2025 estimate) |
| Capital city | Washington, D.C. | Mexico City |
| Largest city | New York City | Mexico City |
| Largest metropolitan area | New York metropolitan area (Tri-State area) | Greater Mexico City |
| Most spoken language | English | Spanish |
| Most popular sport | American football | Football (Soccer) |
Geography
| USA | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Continent | North America | North America |
| Forest cover (2023) | 33.9% | 33.6% |
| Total number of time zones | 11 | 4 |
| Highest mountain | Denali/Mount McKinley (6,190 m/20,310 ft) | Pico de Orizaba/Citlaltépetl (5,636 m/18,491 ft) |
| Largest island | Hawaii Island (10,430 sq km/4,028 sq miles) | Tiburón Island (1,201 sq km/464 sq miles) |
| Largest lake | Lake Superior (shared with Canada); Lake Michigan (entirely within the United States) | Lake Chapala |
Tourism
| USA | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| International tourist arrivals | 72.4 million (2024) | 45 million (2024) |
| Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 26 | 36 |
| Popular places to visit | New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Yellowstone National Park, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon, etc. | Mexico City, Chichén Itzá, Tulum, Cancún, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, etc. |
(Also read: USA vs Canada | USA and Canada – country comparison)
Climate
Both Mexico and the United States have a wide range of climate zones. In general, Mexico remains warmer than the United States.
Number of states
The United States consists of 50 states and a federal district, Washington, D.C. Mexico is made up of 32 federal entities, 31 states and Mexico City, its capital.
Wildlife
Mexico is a biodiversity hotspot, home to about 10-12% of the world’s biodiversity. The United States also has rich biodiversity, largely due to its vast size and wide range of ecosystems.