Mexico has a population of approximately 130 million people in 2025, making it the 10th most populous country in the world and the most populous Spanish-speaking nation on Earth. Stretching across southern North America between the United States and Central America, Mexico is home to more people than any other Spanish-speaking country, surpassing even Spain by a wide margin.
How Many People Live in Mexico?
Mexico's estimated 130 million residents place it just outside the world's top nine most populous nations, behind countries such as Russia and Bangladesh and ahead of Japan. This gives Mexico roughly a third of the population of the United States, its northern neighbor, packed into a country about one-fifth the size by area.
The population is unevenly distributed. The central highlands, anchored by the Valley of Mexico, hold an enormous share of the country's people, while the arid northern deserts and the tropical southern jungles are far more sparsely settled. Mexico's overall population density sits at around 66 people per square kilometer, but that figure conceals dramatic local extremes, from nearly empty stretches of Baja California to the dense sprawl of greater Mexico City.
Population Growth and the Demographic Transition
Mexico is currently growing at roughly 0.75 percent per year, a moderate pace that masks one of the most dramatic demographic shifts of the last half-century. In the 1970s, the country was expanding at about 3.1 percent annually, one of the fastest rates anywhere. That growth has cooled steadily as the nation modernized.
The single biggest driver was the collapse in fertility. Mexican women averaged around seven children each in the 1960s; today the fertility rate is about 1.9 births per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. Expanded access to education, urban employment, and family-planning services transformed family size within two generations. Demographers project that Mexico's population will keep rising more slowly until it peaks around 2055 at roughly 150 million, after which a gradual decline is expected. You can learn more about the country's geography and society in our mexico country guide.
The Biggest Cities
Mexico is a heavily urbanized country, with roughly four out of five people living in towns and cities. Its three largest urban centers dominate national life:
- Mexico City — The capital and one of the largest cities on the planet, with more than 9 million residents inside the city limits and around 22 million across its metropolitan area. Built atop the ruins of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan, it sits at 2,240 meters elevation in the Valley of Mexico.
- Guadalajara — The second-largest metro area, with roughly 5 million residents, celebrated as the birthplace of mariachi music and tequila.
- Monterrey — A northern industrial powerhouse of about 5 million metro residents and the wealthiest of Mexico's large cities.
To put this in perspective, the Mexico City metropolitan area alone has more people than entire countries such as Chile, the Netherlands, or Australia.
Who Are the Mexican People?
Mexico's population reflects centuries of blending between Indigenous civilizations and European settlers. The majority, around 62 percent, identify as mestizo, meaning of mixed Indigenous and European heritage. Roughly 15 percent are Indigenous, and about 16 percent are of primarily European descent, with smaller communities of African, Asian, and Middle Eastern origin adding to the mix.
Spanish is the official language and the most widely spoken, but Mexico legally recognizes 68 Indigenous languages, including Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs, and Maya. About 78 percent of Mexicans identify as Roman Catholic, though that share has been slowly declining as evangelical and non-religious populations grow. The country also has a notably youthful profile, with a median age of around 29 years, considerably younger than the United States or most of Europe.
Key Population Facts
- Population (2025 estimate): approximately 130 million
- World rank: 10th most populous country
- Annual growth rate: about 0.75 percent
- Fertility rate: roughly 1.9 children per woman
- Population density: around 66 people per square kilometer
- Median age: about 29 years
- Capital and largest city: Mexico City
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mexico the most populous Spanish-speaking country?
Yes. With around 130 million people, Mexico has more native Spanish speakers than any other nation, including Spain itself. It accounts for roughly a quarter of all Spanish speakers worldwide.
Will Mexico's population keep growing?
For now, yes, but slowly. Growth has fallen to about 0.75 percent a year, and because the fertility rate is below replacement, demographers expect the population to peak near 150 million around 2055 before beginning a gradual decline.
What is the largest city in Mexico?
Mexico City is by far the largest, with more than 9 million people in the city proper and roughly 22 million in its greater metropolitan area, making it one of the biggest urban regions in the world.
How does Mexico's population compare to the United States?
Mexico's 130 million residents are roughly one-third of the United States population of about 340 million, even though the two countries share a long border and deep economic ties.