Mexico

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Mexico was the site of several advanced Amerindian civilizations -- including the Olmec, Toltec, Teotihuacan, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec -- until Spain conquered and colonized the area in the early 16th century. Administered as the Viceroyalty of New Spain for three centuries, it achieved independence in the early 19th century.

Geography

Area
total : 1,964,375 sq km
land: 1,943,945 sq km
water: 20,430 sq km

Climate
varies from tropical to desert

Natural resources
petroleum, silver, antimony, copper, gold, lead, zinc, natural gas, timber

People and Society

Population
total: 130,739,927 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Mestizo (Indigenous-Spanish) 62%, predominantly Indigenous 21%, Indigenous 7%, other 10% (mostly European) (2012 est.)

Languages
Spanish only 93.8%, Spanish and indigenous languages (including Mayan, Nahuatl, and others) 5.4%, indigenous only 0.6%, unspecified 0.2% (2020 est.)

Religions
Roman Catholic 78%, Protestant/evangelical Christian 11.2%, other 0.002%, unaffiliated (includes atheism) 10.6% (2020 est.)

Population growth rate
0.72% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
federal presidential republic

Capital
name: Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)

Executive branch
chief of state: President Claudia SHEINBAUM Pardo (since 1 October 2024)
head of government: President Claudia SHEINBAUM Pardo (since 1 October 2024)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Esteban MOCTEZUMA Barragán (since 20 April 2021)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Ronald D. JOHNSON (since 19 May 2025)

Economy

Economic overview
upper-middle-income economy; highly integrated with US via trade and nearshore manufacturing; weak domestic demand, fiscal consolidation, and trade uncertainty contributing to sluggish growth; low unemployment; challenges from income inequality, corruption, and cartel-based violence

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.883 trillion (2024 est.)
$2.842 trillion (2023 est.)
$2.751 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$22,000 (2024 est.)
$21,900 (2023 est.)
$21,400 (2022 est.)

Exports
$680.798 billion (2024 est.)
$649.729 billion (2023 est.)
$630.347 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
USA 76%, Canada 5%, China 2%, Germany 2%, Spain 1% (2023)

Exports - commodities
cars, vehicle parts/accessories, crude petroleum, trucks, computers (2023)

Imports
$697.067 billion (2024 est.)
$674.695 billion (2023 est.)
$672.914 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
USA 46%, China 20%, Germany 4%, Japan 3%, S. Korea 3% (2023)

Imports - commodities
vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment, cars (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.789, ranking it 81st out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 22nd out of 158 countries tested with a score of 6.743. (more information)