The map above shows Mexico and South Africa side by side at exactly the same scale, using equal-area projections, so their true relative sizes are preserved.
Mexico vs South Africa Geography
Land area
- Mexico has a land area of 750,561 square miles (1,943,945 km²), while South Africa has 468,909 square miles (1,214,470 km²).
- Mexico's land area is 1.6 times (60%) larger than South Africa's.
Total area
- Mexico: 758,449 square miles (1,964,375 km²) vs South Africa: 471,445 square miles (1,221,037 km²), including inland and coastal water.
- Mexico's total area is 1.6 times (61%) larger than South Africa's.
Length
- Mexico is 1,890 miles (3,041 km) long from north to south; South Africa is 1,050 miles (1,690 km).
- Mexico's north-south length is 1.8 times (80%) longer than South Africa's.
Width
- Mexico spans 2,021 miles (3,252 km) east to west; South Africa spans 1,012 miles (1,628 km).
- Mexico's east-west width is 2.0 times (100%) wider than South Africa's.
Highest point
- Mexico's highest point is Pico de Orizaba at 18,491 feet (5,636 m); South Africa's is Mafadi at 11,319 feet (3,450 m).
- Pico de Orizaba is 7,172 feet higher than Mafadi.
Lowest point
- Mexico's lowest point is Laguna Salada at -33 feet; South Africa's is Indian Ocean at 0 feet.
- Mexico's lowest point is 33 feet lower.
Mexico vs South Africa Population and History
Population
- Mexico has a population of 131,231,919 (2026), while South Africa has 63,522,380 (2026).
- Mexico's population is 2.1 times (107%) larger than South Africa's.
Population density
- Mexico: 174.8 people per square mile vs South Africa: 135.5.
- Mexico's population density is 1.3 times (29%) higher than South Africa's.
Biggest city
- Mexico's biggest city is Mexico City with 9,209,944 people; South Africa's is Johannesburg with 4,803,262.
- Mexico City's population is 1.9 times (92%) larger than Johannesburg's.
Largest metro area
- Mexico's largest metropolitan area is Mexico City (17,734,212 people) vs South Africa's Johannesburg (7,077,175).
- Mexico City's population is 2.5 times (151%) larger than Johannesburg's.
History
- Mexico: Independent from Spain since September 27, 1821.
- South Africa: Formed as the Union of South Africa on May 31, 1910; a republic since 1961.
- In its current form, Mexico is the older of the two by 89 years.
Mexico vs South Africa Economy
GDP
- Mexico's GDP is $1,832.6 billion (2025) vs South Africa's $427.2 billion.
- Mexico's economic output is 4.3 times (329%) larger than South Africa's.
GDP per capita
- Mexico: $13,889 per person vs South Africa: $6,598.
- Mexico's GDP per capita is 2.1 times (111%) higher than South Africa's.
Average income
- Mexico: $13,730 vs South Africa: $6,270 average income per person (per capita personal income).
- Mexico's average income is 2.2 times (119%) higher than South Africa's.
Official Websites
Mexico official website · South Africa official website
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More Size Comparisons
All Mexico size comparisons · All South Africa size comparisons
Area, elevation and boundary figures come from official national statistics and US Census Bureau and Natural Earth boundary data; US state population, economic, county and tax figures come from the US Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Tax Foundation. Figures are rounded and for general reference.