Demographics of Mexico - statistics & facts
As of 2024, approximately 128 million people called Mexico their home, ranking as the tenth largest country in the world and third in the Americas, only behind the United States and Brazil. The population of the country keeps getting larger and is projected to reach over 136 million by 2028. However, the growth rate started to slow down, in 2015 the population grew around 1.4 percent, while in 2022, only by 0.63 percent. During 2022, the number of women was higher than men, with 51.21 percent or about 65.22 million, women outnumbered men by over three million people.
The population in the capital continues to grow, in the last 30 years, the number of people living within the city limits, without considering the metropolitan area, increased by almost one million. As with other major areas in the country, the economic and educational opportunities, as well as the urban development make it a destination for internal migration. Recently, also, many refugees from the Caribbean and Central America found a temporary or permanent home in the city. With migration and the existent overpopulation, the formerly known as Federal District ranks as the second most populous metropolitan area in Latin America, only behind São Paulo.
Like many Latin American countries, Mexico is highly religious. During the last census, less than 15 percent of Mexicans stated they had no affiliation to any religion. On the other hand, more than 70 percent or around 97 million people reported being Catholics (the second-highest number in the world). The history of Catholicism in Mexico started with the conquest of the Aztec Empire by the Spanish in 1519 and still is an important part of the life of most people living in the country.
Demographic change
The population of Mexico is still young, with a median age of 28.7 years. Moreover, as of 2022, more than 67 percent of the residents were within working age (16 to 64 years) and another 24 percent younger than 15 years. That is also visible in the economically active population, that grew constantly for the past eleven years, except for 2020, mainly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, the data suggest that in the next decades Mexico will transition to an older population. This change could have strong consequences on the welfare and pension system, as more people will be expected to receive pensions while tax revenue will be lower. During the last few years, the annual expenditure on pension benefits has been also showing a constant increase.Population density and Mexico City
The population distribution of Mexico tends to be more concentrated towards the capital. Mexico City, Mexico State, and Puebla concentrate over 25 percent of the total number of inhabitants. For that same reason, the density is also the highest in the central states with Mexico City at the top, averaging more than 6,000 inhabitants per square kilometer.The population in the capital continues to grow, in the last 30 years, the number of people living within the city limits, without considering the metropolitan area, increased by almost one million. As with other major areas in the country, the economic and educational opportunities, as well as the urban development make it a destination for internal migration. Recently, also, many refugees from the Caribbean and Central America found a temporary or permanent home in the city. With migration and the existent overpopulation, the formerly known as Federal District ranks as the second most populous metropolitan area in Latin America, only behind São Paulo.
Education and religion
Mexico has a considerably high literacy rate, with around 95.25 percent of people aged 15 and above who can read and write. Education is mandatory for all people aged from 3 to 17 years, nonetheless, the educational attainment shows that more than half of Mexicans only have either a primary or secondary school diploma and less than two percent reach a graduate degree.Like many Latin American countries, Mexico is highly religious. During the last census, less than 15 percent of Mexicans stated they had no affiliation to any religion. On the other hand, more than 70 percent or around 97 million people reported being Catholics (the second-highest number in the world). The history of Catholicism in Mexico started with the conquest of the Aztec Empire by the Spanish in 1519 and still is an important part of the life of most people living in the country.
