Country Profile: Mexico

Mexico is a country rich in history, geography, and culture, located in North America. It spans an area of approximately 1.96 million square kilometers, making it slightly less than three times the size of Texas. The nation has a diverse population of approximately 130.7 million people, comprising various ethnic groups, predominantly Mestizo and Indigenous. Economically, Mexico is classified as an upper-middle-income country, highly integrated with the United States through trade and manufacturing, yet contending with issues such as income inequality and cartel-based violence. Governance is structured as a federal presidential republic, with a history of political transitions marked by significant elections.

Geography

Mexico is bordered by the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Ocean, featuring varied terrains that include high mountains, coastal plains, and deserts. The country has a total area of 1,964,375 sq km, with a significant coastline of 9,330 km. Its climate ranges from tropical to desert, supporting a plethora of natural resources including petroleum, silver, and copper. The nation is also prone to natural hazards such as earthquakes and hurricanes.

4,389 km of land boundaries with Belize, Guatemala, and the United States.
Highest point: Pico de Orizaba at 5,636 m, and the lowest point: Laguna Salada at -10 m.
50.7% of land is agricultural, while 34.2% is forested.

People and Society

Mexico has a population of approximately 130,739,927 (2024 estimate), with a gender distribution of 49% male and 51% female. The predominant language is Spanish, with 93.8% of the population speaking it exclusively. The society exhibits a rich cultural tapestry, with 62% identifying as Mestizo and 21% as predominantly Indigenous. Urbanization is significant, with 81.6% of the population living in urban areas, and a notable concentration in Mexico City, which has a population of over 22 million.

23.3% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
Life expectancy at birth is 74.6 years (2024 estimate).
95% literacy rate (2020 est.), with a mean age at first birth of 21.3 years.

Economy

Mexico's economy is characterized as upper-middle-income, with a real GDP of approximately $2.883 trillion (2024 estimate) and a GDP growth rate forecast at 1.5% for the same year. The economy is highly integrated with that of the United States, with 70.3% of GDP stemming from household consumption. However, challenges persist, including corruption, violence from cartels, and significant income inequality.

Unemployment rate: 2.8% (2024 estimate).
Population below the poverty line stands at 36.3% (2022 estimate).
Major agricultural products include sugarcane, maize, and tomatoes.

Government

Mexico is a federal presidential republic, with the capital being Mexico City. The government consists of an executive branch headed by the President, who serves a six-year term, and a bicameral legislature known as the Congress of the Union. The most recent presidential election saw Claudia Sheinbaum elected in June 2024.

The Constitution was established on February 5, 1917.
32 states comprise the country’s administrative divisions.
Universal suffrage granted to citizens aged 18 and older.

Military and Security

The Mexican Armed Forces consist of the Army, Air Force, and Navy, with approximately 260,000 active-duty personnel. Military spending has increased to 0.9% of GDP (2024 estimate). The military also plays a critical role in internal security, particularly in combating drug cartels and organized crime.

National Guard established in 2019 to enhance internal security.
Military service age begins at 18, with compulsory service for males using a lottery system.
The military is involved in various infrastructure projects and security for strategic facilities.

Energy

Mexico has a diverse energy sector, with 100% electrification of its population (2022 estimate). The country primarily relies on fossil fuels, which constitute about 79.6% of its electricity generation capacity. Significant investments in renewable energy sources are ongoing, including solar and wind.

Total electricity consumption was 332.042 billion kWh (2023 estimate).
Natural gas consumption reached 97.118 billion cubic meters (2023 estimate).
The total petroleum production is approximately 2.101 million bbl/day (2023 estimate).

Environment

Mexico faces several environmental challenges, including pollution, deforestation, and water scarcity. Urban areas experience serious air quality issues, while significant efforts are being made to address waste management and sustainable practices.

50.7% of land is used for agriculture, with a concern for sustainable practices.
441.049 million metric tons of CO2 emissions recorded in 2023.
The country is a party to multiple environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement.

Transportation

Mexico possesses a robust transportation network, including over 23,389 km of railways and 1,580 airports. It also has an extensive road network and a merchant marine fleet consisting of 674 vessels.

488 heliports are available for civil aviation.
The total number of ports stands at 35 as of 2024.
Mobile cellular subscriptions reached 140 million (2023).

Communications

The country has made significant advancements in telecommunications, with 81% of the population using the internet as of 2023. Mexico now boasts over 140 million mobile cellular subscriptions and a growing number of broadband connections.

25.637 million fixed-line telephone subscriptions recorded (2023).
26.6 million broadband fixed subscriptions as of 2023, with a penetration of 21 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	130,739,927 (2024 est.)
Area	1,964,375 sq km
GDP	$2.883 trillion (2024 est.)	Purchasing power parity
Unemployment Rate	2.8% (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	332.042 billion kWh (2023)
Birth Rate	14.73 births/1,000 (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	74.6 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	95% (2020 est.)
Carbon Emissions	441.049 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Poverty Rate	36.3% (2022 est.)