Urban area over the long-term in Mexico
Mexico: Urban area over the long-term was 17,056 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
17,056 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 1.6%
World rank
9th
of 202 countries
All-time high
17,056 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0465 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Mexico, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
Mexico recorded 17,056 km² per grid cell for urban area over the long-term in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 1.6% on the previous year and up 18.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Mexico peaked at 17,056 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0465 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Mexico ranks 9th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Mexico, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0465 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.1572 km² per grid cell | +238.1% |
| 1200 | 0.5255 km² per grid cell | +234.2% |
| 1300 | 1.74 km² per grid cell | +231.0% |
| 1400 | 5.71 km² per grid cell | +228.2% |
| 1500 | 18.6 km² per grid cell | +225.9% |
| 1600 | 2.28 km² per grid cell | -87.7% |
| 1700 | 27.38 km² per grid cell | +1100.0% |
| 1710 | 31.78 km² per grid cell | +16.1% |
| 1720 | 39.14 km² per grid cell | +23.1% |
| 1730 | 47.94 km² per grid cell | +22.5% |
| 1740 | 58.46 km² per grid cell | +21.9% |
| 1750 | 71.01 km² per grid cell | +21.5% |
| 1760 | 85.96 km² per grid cell | +21.0% |
| 1770 | 103.72 km² per grid cell | +20.7% |
| 1780 | 124.8 km² per grid cell | +20.3% |
| 1790 | 149.79 km² per grid cell | +20.0% |
| 1800 | 179.37 km² per grid cell | +19.7% |
| 1810 | 214.35 km² per grid cell | +19.5% |
| 1820 | 255.66 km² per grid cell | +19.3% |
| 1830 | 304.4 km² per grid cell | +19.1% |
| 1840 | 361.85 km² per grid cell | +18.9% |
| 1850 | 429.5 km² per grid cell | +18.7% |
| 1860 | 509.1 km² per grid cell | +18.5% |
| 1870 | 602.67 km² per grid cell | +18.4% |
| 1880 | 712.57 km² per grid cell | +18.2% |
| 1890 | 960.73 km² per grid cell | +34.8% |
| 1900 | 1,260 km² per grid cell | +31.1% |
| 1910 | 1,590 km² per grid cell | +26.2% |
| 1920 | 1,659 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1930 | 1,961 km² per grid cell | +18.2% |
| 1940 | 2,107 km² per grid cell | +7.5% |
| 1950 | 2,487 km² per grid cell | +18.0% |
| 1951 | 2,522 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1952 | 2,560 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1953 | 2,598 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1954 | 2,632 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1955 | 2,670 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1956 | 2,711 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1957 | 2,755 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1958 | 2,802 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1959 | 2,853 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1960 | 2,907 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1961 | 2,970 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1962 | 3,036 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1963 | 3,107 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1964 | 3,264 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1965 | 3,345 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 1966 | 3,433 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1967 | 3,527 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1968 | 3,628 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1969 | 3,737 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1970 | 3,854 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1971 | 3,988 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1972 | 4,138 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1973 | 4,300 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1974 | 4,472 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1975 | 4,653 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1976 | 4,834 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1977 | 5,099 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1978 | 5,282 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1979 | 5,463 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1980 | 5,640 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1981 | 5,835 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1982 | 6,026 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1983 | 6,216 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1984 | 6,410 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 6,613 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1986 | 6,813 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1987 | 7,020 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1988 | 7,239 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1989 | 7,467 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1990 | 7,705 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1991 | 7,944 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1992 | 8,193 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1993 | 8,451 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1994 | 8,714 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1995 | 8,978 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1996 | 9,238 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1997 | 9,493 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1998 | 9,746 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1999 | 9,990 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 2000 | 10,226 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2001 | 10,468 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2002 | 10,708 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 2003 | 10,953 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 2004 | 11,210 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 2005 | 11,484 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 2006 | 11,778 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2007 | 12,090 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2008 | 12,497 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2009 | 12,831 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 13,166 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 2011 | 13,407 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 13,651 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2013 | 13,897 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2014 | 14,146 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2015 | 14,398 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2016 | 14,651 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 14,905 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2018 | 15,164 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2019 | 15,423 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 15,684 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2021 | 15,955 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2022 | 16,230 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2023 | 16,505 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2024 | 16,780 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2025 | 17,056 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
Mexico compared with similar countries
- Mexico's 17,056 km² per grid cell is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 995.59 km² per grid cell, 17.1× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- Mexico's 17,056 km² per grid cell is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 613.64 km² per grid cell, 27.8× the median. (37 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Mexico changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1700 | +1100.0% | 2.28 km² per grid cell | 27.38 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +238.1% | 0.0465 km² per grid cell | 0.1572 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +234.2% | 0.1572 km² per grid cell | 0.5255 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +231.0% | 0.5255 km² per grid cell | 1.74 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +228.2% | 1.74 km² per grid cell | 5.71 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +225.9% | 5.71 km² per grid cell | 18.6 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0465 km² per grid cell | 0.0465 km² per grid cell | 0.0465 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.1572 km² per grid cell | 0.1572 km² per grid cell | 0.1572 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.5255 km² per grid cell | 0.5255 km² per grid cell | 0.5255 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 1.74 km² per grid cell | 1.74 km² per grid cell | 1.74 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 5.71 km² per grid cell | 5.71 km² per grid cell | 5.71 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 18.6 km² per grid cell | 18.6 km² per grid cell | 18.6 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 2.28 km² per grid cell | 2.28 km² per grid cell | 2.28 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 27.38 km² per grid cell | 27.38 km² per grid cell | 27.38 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 31.78 km² per grid cell | 31.78 km² per grid cell | 31.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 39.14 km² per grid cell | 39.14 km² per grid cell | 39.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 47.94 km² per grid cell | 47.94 km² per grid cell | 47.94 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 58.46 km² per grid cell | 58.46 km² per grid cell | 58.46 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 71.01 km² per grid cell | 71.01 km² per grid cell | 71.01 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 85.96 km² per grid cell | 85.96 km² per grid cell | 85.96 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 103.72 km² per grid cell | 103.72 km² per grid cell | 103.72 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 124.8 km² per grid cell | 124.8 km² per grid cell | 124.8 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 149.79 km² per grid cell | 149.79 km² per grid cell | 149.79 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 179.37 km² per grid cell | 179.37 km² per grid cell | 179.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 214.35 km² per grid cell | 214.35 km² per grid cell | 214.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 255.66 km² per grid cell | 255.66 km² per grid cell | 255.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 304.4 km² per grid cell | 304.4 km² per grid cell | 304.4 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 361.85 km² per grid cell | 361.85 km² per grid cell | 361.85 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 429.5 km² per grid cell | 429.5 km² per grid cell | 429.5 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 509.1 km² per grid cell | 509.1 km² per grid cell | 509.1 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 602.67 km² per grid cell | 602.67 km² per grid cell | 602.67 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 712.57 km² per grid cell | 712.57 km² per grid cell | 712.57 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 960.73 km² per grid cell | 960.73 km² per grid cell | 960.73 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 1,260 km² per grid cell | 1,260 km² per grid cell | 1,260 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 1,590 km² per grid cell | 1,590 km² per grid cell | 1,590 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 1,659 km² per grid cell | 1,659 km² per grid cell | 1,659 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 1,961 km² per grid cell | 1,961 km² per grid cell | 1,961 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 2,107 km² per grid cell | 2,107 km² per grid cell | 2,107 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 2,659 km² per grid cell | 2,487 km² per grid cell | 2,853 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 3,295 km² per grid cell | 2,907 km² per grid cell | 3,737 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 4,608 km² per grid cell | 3,854 km² per grid cell | 5,463 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 6,528 km² per grid cell | 5,640 km² per grid cell | 7,467 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 8,845 km² per grid cell | 7,705 km² per grid cell | 9,990 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 11,424 km² per grid cell | 10,226 km² per grid cell | 12,831 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 14,281 km² per grid cell | 13,166 km² per grid cell | 15,423 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 16,368 km² per grid cell | 15,684 km² per grid cell | 17,056 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Mexico
More reference data data for Mexico
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 4.11 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 16.66 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 32.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.75 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 32.65 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 13.78 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 7.36 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 84.69 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 157.18 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 9.55 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Mexico?
- Urban area over the long-term in Mexico was 17,056 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Mexico?
- The highest recorded value was 17,056 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Mexico?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0465 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Mexico rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Mexico ranks 9th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Mexico?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mexico data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.