Central America

Population of Mexico City (Mexico)

08/04/2025
Population Information

Population of Mexico City (Capital City of Mexico) is about 22,5 million people in 2025. It is the 7th most populous city in the world.

Total population

The total population of the Mexico City metropolitan area in 2025 is estimated at 22,5 million, according to World Population Review and trends from UN Data. In 2024, Mexico City's population is estimated to be 22,35 million (World Population Review), up from 22,18 million in 2023.

Mexico City has an area of ​​approximately 7.866 km², with population density about 2.843 people/km². From 2020 (21,80 million) to 2025, the population will increase by about 700.000 people, with an average growth rate of 0,6-0,8% per year, mainly due to internal migration from states such as Oaxaca, Chiapas, and natural growth. However, the growth rate has slowed significantly compared to the previous period (1950-2000) due to low fertility rates (estimated at 1,6-1,8 children/woman in 2023) and urban saturation.

Gender structure

Specific data for Mexico City in 2025 has not been released, but based on national trends from INEGI and Danso.org in 2023:

  • Male: 48,5% (about 10,84 million people out of a total of 22,35 million in 2024).
  • Female: 51,5% (about 11,51 million people).

The sex ratio is 94 males/100 females, lower than the national average (94,2 males/100 females), due to women having a longer life expectancy (78,0 years compared to 72,6 years for men). Assuming this ratio remains stable until 2025, with a total population of 22,5 million, males will account for approximately 10,91 million and females 11,59 million. This disparity is more pronounced in older age groups, reflecting the aging trend in a megacity like Mexico City.

Population of Mexico City (Mexico)
Mexico City (Mexico)

Age structure

Mexico's age structure in 2024, according to Danso.org and World Population Review, is:

  • Under 15 years old: 25,0% (about 32,71 million out of 130,86 million).
  • 15-64 years old: 67,0% (about 87,68 million).
  • Over 65 years old: 8,0% (about 10,47 million).

In Mexico City, the age structure is older than the national average due to high urbanization and lower fertility rates. Estimated 2025:

  • Under 15 years old: 18,0% (about 4,05 million people).
  • From 15-64 years old: 72,0% (about 16,20 million people).
  • Over 65 years old: 10,0% (about 2,25 million people).

The median age in Mexico City is estimated at 30–31 years, higher than the national average (29,6 years), reflecting the faster aging of the metropolitan area. The proportion of people over 65 years old is increasing due to high life expectancy (75,4 years for both sexes), while the under-15 age group is decreasing due to the sharp decline in birth rates in urban areas.

Population change

Historical data from UN Data and World Population Review:

  • 1950: 3,05 million people.
  • 1980: 13,01 million people.
  • 2000: 18,40 million people.
  • 2010: 20,89 million people.
  • 2020: 21,80 million people.
  • 2025: 22,5 million people (estimated).

From 1950 to 2000, Mexico City's population grew rapidly (an average of 5-6% per year from 1950 to 1980, and 2-3% from 1980 to 2000), driven by rural migration, industrialization, and its role as an economic center (Mexico City contributes 25% of Mexico's GDP). From 2010 to 2020, the growth rate slowed to 0,8-1%, and from 2020 to 2025 to 0,6-0,8%, due to:

  • Low birth rate (1,6-1,8 children/woman).
  • Urban space is saturated, pushing migration to satellite cities such as Toluca and Querétaro.
  • National negative net migration (-115.108 people/year in 2024, partly from Mexico City).

Forecast

Mexico City population forecast based on national and regional trends:

  • Short term (until 2035): The population could reach 23-24 million, with a growth rate of 0,4-0,6% per year, thanks to its role as an economic, financial, and cultural center (headquarters of government, automobile industry). However, growth is limited by low birth rates and environmental pollution (poor air quality).
  • Long term (until 2050): The population could fall below 22 million, due to declining fertility (expected to be below 1,6 children per woman), population aging (15-20% over 65), and negative net migration to neighboring regions or the United States. This is consistent with projections of Mexico's population peaking at 145 million in 2042 and then declining (UN World Population Prospects 2024).

The Mexico City government is investing in transportation (Mexico City Metro expansion), housing, and environmental improvements to manage the population, but challenges from pollution, traffic, and economic inequality remain severe.

Sources:

Mexico Population 2024

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