Population Distribution
As of 2023, the latest population of Mexico is 128,649,565, based on our calculation of the current data from UN (United Nations).
| Total population | 128,649,565 |
| Population growth rate | 1.04% |
| Birth rate | 18.30 births per 1,000 people |
| Life expectancy | |
| Overall | 76.86 years |
| Men | 74.03 years |
| Women | 79.83 years |
| Age structure | |
| 0-14 years | 26.61% |
| 15-64 years | 66.13% |
| 65 years and above | 7.26% |
| Median age | 27.60 years |
| Gender ratio (Male to Female) | 0.96 |
| Population density | 65.49 residents per km² |
| Urbanization | 75.50% |
| Ethnicities | |
| over 80% European-indigenous, 11% indigenous (Nahua / Aztecs, Maya, Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Otomí, etc.), 5% of European descent | |
| Religions | |
| Catholics (Roman Catholic) 89%, Protestants 6%, others 5% | |
| Human Development Index (HDI) | 0.767 |
| HDI ranking | 76th out of 194 |
People in Mexico
The residents of Mexico are the Mexicans. 60 percent of them are descendants of connections between whites (especially Spaniards) and the indigenous people. So one parent was of European, one parent of Indian origin.
10 percent belong to the indigenous population and have no European ancestors. They include the Nahua and Maya peoples, descendants of the Aztecs and Maya. At the time of independence (1810), their share was 45 percent and has continued to decline since then.
However, some Mexicans also have African roots (0.1 percent). They are the descendants of the black slaves who were brought here by the Spaniards, and mostly mixed with the Indian population. The rest of the population consists of Europeans, mostly Spaniards (29 percent), and Asians (1 percent), whose ancestors immigrated to Mexico.
- Children: Every woman in Mexico has an average of 2.2 children. With us, every woman has an average of 1.4 children. So the families in Mexico are bigger than ours.
- Urban and rural: 80 percent of Mexico’s residents live in cities. That is more than ours (75 percent). The largest city is the capital Mexico City with 9 million residents, but also Guadalajara, Monterrey and Puebla are like a few more megacities.
- Population density: The population density is 63 residents per square kilometer. The big cities are mostly inland, the coast is less densely populated. Overall, the south is also more densely populated than the north.
Languages in Mexico
Spanish is the official language in Mexico. The Spanish conquerors brought their language with them in the 16th century. 92.7 percent of all residents speak Spanish. However, many of the Indian ethnic groups also speak their own language, which they also learn as their mother tongue. This affects 6.8 percent of the population.
Spanish in Mexico
However, Mexican Spanish differs from the Spanish (Castilian) spoken in Spain in a number of ways. For example, for “her” one says ustedes (instead of vosotros). People love diminutions, even with a word like “now” (Spanish ahora, Mexican prefers ahorita).
The vocabulary is different for some words, for example camión instead of autobús (bus), carro instead of coche (car) or chamaco instead of chico (boy). In pronunciation it is mainly the c before e and i, for example in cine (cinema). In Spain, the c is usually pronounced like an English th, i.e. between the teeth (as in through). In Mexico (and throughout Latin America), however, the c is pronounced like a sharp s(as in see).
Indigenous languages
In total, there are 65 languages of the Indian population in Mexico in addition to Spanish, which are recognized as national languages. Even the most widely spoken languages, Nahuatl and Mayathan, are threatened with extinction because they are no longer passed on to children. Their reputation is low, and some Indians are even insulted when they speak in their language.
Most of the speakers have Nahuatl and Mayathan. Other indigenous languages are Mixtec, Tzeltal, Zapotec, Tzotzil and many others. For example, Tzeltal and Tzotzil are also Mayan languages.
Overall, the number of speakers of some languages is still increasing, but their share in the total population is decreasing as it is growing faster. Mayathan and Otomí, for example, decrease significantly, Tzeltal and Tzotzil increase rather because the language is passed on to the children.
Nahuatl
The most common of these languages is Nahuatl (pronounced: Nawatl). It has 1.6 million speakers. You can see their distribution in Mexico on the map above. Today’s Nahuatl developed from the language of the Aztecs.
Words that end in -tl are typical. You may know the Popcatépetl volcano or the axolotl, an amphibian. Axolotl is derived from atl (water) and Xolotl, the name of an Aztec god. Translated it means something like “water monster”, because the axolotl is not exactly a pretty animal…
Mayathan
The second most common indigenous language is Mayathan. It is spoken on the Yucatán Peninsula, including across borders in Guatemala and Belize. Mayathan evolved from one of the Mayan languages.
Mayathan was written in a pictorial font before the Spanish conquest. Today they are written in Latin letters. There are often apostrophes, for example in k’uxk’ak’al. That means: “It’s hot outside”. Each apostrophe indicates that the letter in front of it (here the three k) is spoken in a certain way, namely without breathing in or out.
Religions in Mexico
The majority of the population, namely 82.7 percent, is Catholic. 7.5 percent belong to a Protestant church. 4.7 percent do not belong to any church.
Mexico Overview
Mexico, located in North America, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant cuisine, and stunning natural landscapes. From the ancient ruins of civilizations like the Maya and Aztec to the bustling streets of modern cities like Mexico City, the country offers a tapestry of history and modernity. Mexico’s cuisine, including tacos, enchiladas, and mole sauce, has gained worldwide popularity, while its vibrant festivals such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and vibrant art scene showcase its diverse traditions and creativity. Its stunning beaches, lush jungles, and majestic mountains attract millions of visitors each year, making Mexico a top tourist destination.
- Capital City: Mexico City
- Population: Approximately 126 million
- Area: 1,964,375 square kilometers
- Full Country Name: United Mexican States
- Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)
- Language: Spanish
- ISO Country Codes: MX, MEX
Bordering Countries of Mexico
Mexico is bordered by three countries: the United States to the north, Guatemala and Belize to the south. To the north of Mexico lies the United States, a country full of vibrant cities and stunning natural scenery. Here visitors can explore bustling cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York, or take part in thrilling outdoor activities such as skiing in Colorado or hiking in Arizona.
To the south of Mexico lies Guatemala and Belize, two countries that offer something special for travelers looking to explore this part of Central America. In Guatemala visitors can explore its stunning Mayan ruins such as Tikal or Yaxhá and discover its unique culture and cuisine. Meanwhile in Belize visitors can explore its gorgeous Caribbean coastline with its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or diving.
Mexico borders three countries that offer something unique for travelers looking to explore this part of Central America further than just Mexico itself. From the United States’ vibrant cities or Guatemala’s Mayan ruins – there are plenty opportunities for exploration in these bordering countries. Whether it’s Belize’s Caribbean coastline or USA’s outdoor activities – there are plenty of ways to experience this part of Central America.
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