Country Profile: Mexico

Mexico, located in North America between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of California, showcases a diverse geography, from rugged mountains to coastal plains. With a population of approximately 130.7 million (2024 est.), it is a vibrant nation influenced by a rich cultural heritage from advanced Amerindian civilizations. The economy is classified as upper-middle-income, closely tied to the United States through trade and manufacturing, yet faces challenges such as income inequality and cartel-related violence. The government operates as a federal presidential republic, recently transitioning leadership to President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo in 2024.

Geography

Mexico covers an area of 1,964,375 sq km, making it slightly less than three times the size of Texas. The country's varied terrain includes high mountains, low coastal plains, and vast plateaus, with the highest point being Volcan Pico de Orizaba at 5,636 m. It is bordered by the United States to the north and Belize and Guatemala to the southeast, featuring a coastline of 9,330 km. The climate ranges from tropical to desert, housing significant natural resources such as petroleum and precious metals.

50.7% of land is agricultural (2023).
34.2% of land is forested (2023).
Major lakes include Laguna de Chapala (1,140 sq km) and Laguna de Terminos (1,550 sq km).

People and Society

With an estimated population of 130,739,927 in 2024, Mexico is predominantly urban, with 81.6% of the population living in cities. The major ethnic group is Mestizo, accounting for 62%, while 21% are predominantly Indigenous. Spanish is the main language spoken by 93.8% of the population, and the majority practice Roman Catholicism (77.7%). Mexico City serves as the capital, housing a significant population of 22.281 million.

74.6 years is the average life expectancy (2024).
36.3% of the population lives below the poverty line (2022).
Urbanization is growing at a 1.4% annual rate.

Economy

Mexico possesses an upper-middle-income economy, which is well integrated with the U.S. through trade. The GDP, based on purchasing power parity, is $2.883 trillion (2024 est.), reflecting a growth rate of 1.5% for the same year. The economy faces challenges, including income inequality and corruption, alongside robust industries in food, textiles, and automotive sectors. The unemployment rate remains low at 2.8% (2024 est.).

58.2% of GDP comes from the services sector (2024).
3.8% of GDP is from agriculture (2024).
Remittances constitute 3.7% of GDP (2024).

Government

Mexico operates as a federal presidential republic, with President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo taking office in October 2024. The country is subdivided into 32 states, and the legal system is based on civil law influenced by U.S. constitutional law. Citizens enjoy universal suffrage at the age of 18. The constitution was last amended in 1917 and has facilitated various reforms since.

The Congress of the Union is bicameral, comprising the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
Legislative elections occurred in June 2024.
The next presidential election is scheduled for 2030.

Military and Security

The Mexican Armed Forces are structured under the Secretariat of National Defense and the Secretariat of the Navy, totaling roughly 260,000 active personnel and about 110,000 in the National Guard. Military expenditures are estimated at 0.9% of GDP (2024). The military plays a crucial role in combating drug trafficking and securing the nation against internal threats, with ongoing reforms enhancing its operational capabilities.

Mandatory military service begins at age 18.
The National Guard was established in 2019 to enhance internal security.

Energy

Mexico's energy landscape is dominated by fossil fuels, which account for 79.6% of the installed electricity generation capacity. The country boasts a total installed capacity of 105.586 million kW (2023). Total energy consumption per capita stood at 57.539 million Btu/person (2023), with electricity access achieved for 100% of the population.

2.101 million bbl/day is the total petroleum production (2023).
33.118 billion cubic meters of natural gas are produced annually (2023).

Environment

Mexico faces significant environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and scarcity of clean water. The country has committed to several international environmental agreements, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change. Urban areas are particularly affected by pollution from industrial activities, which the government addresses as national security issues.

50.7% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
9.6% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022).

Transportation

Mexico has a comprehensive transportation system with 1,580 airports and extensive rail networks totaling 23,389 km. The merchant marine comprises 674 vessels, supporting both domestic and international trade. Key ports include Acapulco and Veracruz, essential for maritime commerce.

35 ports are situated along the coastline, with various sizes catering to different shipping needs.

Communications

The communication infrastructure in Mexico is advancing, with 81% of the population using the internet. The country has 140 million mobile cellular subscriptions. After major telecom reforms, there are now numerous privately owned television and radio stations, enhancing media diversity.

26.6 million fixed broadband subscriptions exist (2023).
25.637 million fixed-line telephones are in use (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	130,739,927	2024 estimate
Area	1,964,375 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$2.883 trillion	2024 estimate
Energy consumption per capita	57.539 million Btu	2023 estimate
Birth rate	14.73 births/1,000	2025 estimate
Unemployment rate	2.8%	2024 estimate
Life expectancy	74.6 years	2024 estimate
Urban population	81.6%	2023 estimate
Percentage of population below poverty	36.3%	2022 estimate