CapitalBogotá
Population49,842,298
Area1,138,910 km²
GDP per capita$18,500
LanguagesSpanish is the official language, spoken by of the population, with indigenous languages at and Portuguese at
CurrencyColombian pesos
Life Expectancy74.9 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
Colombia was one of three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 -- the others are Ecuador and Venezuela. A decades-long conflict among government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade -- principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) -- escalated during the 1990s. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization in the 2000s, new criminal groups arose that included some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final accord with the FARC in 2016 that called for its members to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' including a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-trade-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong and independent democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.
Geography
Area
land
1,038,700 sq km
water
100,210 sq km
total
1,138,910 sq km
Climate
tropical climate along the coast and eastern plains; cooler temperatures in the highlands
Terrain
level coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, and eastern lowland plains (Llanos)
Land use
other
9.7% (2023 est.)
forest
53.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
36.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 2.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 32% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Northern South America, it borders the Caribbean Sea between Panama and Venezuela, and the North Pacific Ocean between Ecuador and Panama
Coastline
3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
Elevation
lowest point
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point
Pico Cristobal Colon 5,730 m
mean elevation
593 m
Irrigated land
6,506 sq km (2013)
Major aquifers
Amazon Basin
Map references
South America
Land boundaries
total
6,672 km
border countries
Brazil 1,790 km; Ecuador 708 km; Panama 339 km; Peru 1,494 km; Venezuela 2,341 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
Highlands are prone to volcanic activity; occasional seismic events; periodic droughts
volcanism: Galeras (4,276 m) is among Colombia's most frequently active volcanoes; recognized as a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior for its explosive past and proximity to human settlements; Nevado del Ruiz (5,321 m), located 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985, leading to lahars (mudflows) that resulted in 23,000 fatalities; this volcano last erupted in 1991; after being dormant for 500 years, Nevado del Huila became active again in 2007 and has had numerous eruptions since; other historically significant volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace
Geography - note
the only country in South America with coastlines along both the North Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
Area - comparative
slightly less than double the area of Texas
Geographic coordinates
4 00 N, 72 00 W
Population distribution
The majority of the population resides in the northern and western regions, where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are abundant; the expansive llanos grasslands to the south and east, which constitute about 60% of the nation, are sparsely populated
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 km
note: [s] following the country name indicates river source; [m] following the country name indicates river mouth
People & Society
Literacy
male
95% (2024 est.)
female
95.7% (2024 est.)
total population
95.3% (2024 est.)
Languages
Languages
Spanish is the official language, spoken by 98.9% of the population, with indigenous languages at 1% and Portuguese at 0.1%; there are 65 recognized indigenous languages as of 2023.
major-language sample(s)
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 63.6%, Protestant 17.2% (Evangelical 16.7%, Adventist 0.3%, other Protestant 0.2%), Jehovah's Witness 0.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 0.1%, other 0.3%, believer, 0.2%. agnostic 1%, atheist 1%, none 14.2%, unspecified 1.8% (2023 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.96 male(s)/female
total population
0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.78 male(s)/female
Birth rate
14.73 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.96 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
31.5 years
total
33.1 years (2025 est.)
female
34 years
Population
male
24,320,959
total
49,842,298 (2025 est.)
female
25,521,339
Nationality
noun
Colombian(s)
adjective
Colombian
Tobacco use
male
11.2% (2025 est.)
total
7.6% (2025 est.)
female
4.1% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
82.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
22.3% (male 5,643,995/female 5,394,147)
15-64 years
66.5% (male 16,127,377/female 16,859,161)
65 years and over
11.2% (2024 est.) (male 2,434,999/female 3,128,678)
Ethnic groups
The demographic composition includes Mestizo and White individuals at 87.6%, Afro-Colombians (comprising Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) at 6.8%, Indigenous peoples at 4.3%, and those unspecified at 1.4%, according to estimates from 2018.
Child marriage
men married by age 18
6.7% (2015)
women married by age 15
4.9% (2015)
women married by age 18
23.4% (2015)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
50.7 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
33.2 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
5.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
17.5 (2025 est.)
Physician density
2.54 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
9% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
15.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-2.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.94 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 86.7% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 97.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 13.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 2.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
5.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
13.1 deaths/1,000 live births
total
11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
10.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.54% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.94 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
A significant portion of the population resides in the northern and western regions, where agricultural prospects and natural resources are abundant; conversely, the expansive grasslands known as the llanos, located in the south and east and covering roughly 60% of the nation, are thinly populated.
Life expectancy at birth
male
71.3 years
female
78.7 years
total population
74.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
59 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 88.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 97% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 11.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
3.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
4.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
11.508 million BOGOTA (capital), 4.102 million Medellin, 2.864 million Cali, 2.349 million Barranquilla, 1.381 million Bucaramanga, 1.088 million Cartagena (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
22.3% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
21.7 years (2015 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
50.9% (2018 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.7% (2016 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
14 years (2022 est.)
total
14 years (2022 est.)
female
15 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical in coastal areas and eastern lowlands; cooler temperatures in mountainous regions
Land use
other
9.7% (2023 est.)
forest
53.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
36.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 2.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 2.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 32% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
82.4% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
18.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
600.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
814.5 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
1,791.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
12.15 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
28.5% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation due to logging in the Amazon and Chocó areas; erosion of soil; contamination of soil and water resulting from excessive pesticide use; air pollution, particularly in Bogota, caused by emissions from vehicles
Total water withdrawal
municipal
3.405 billion cubic meters (2022)
industrial
1.033 billion cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
20.46 billion cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
85.878 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
20.688 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
15.463 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
49.727 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
13.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
2.36 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
Law of the Sea
Government
Flag
description: consists of three horizontal stripes in yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red
meaning: the colors are subject to multiple interpretations; one perspective sees yellow as symbolizing the gold found in Colombia's land, blue as representing the ocean, and red as the blood shed for freedom; another interpretation aligns yellow with sovereignty and justice, blue with loyalty and vigilance, and red with courage and generosity; yet another view connects the colors to liberty, equality, and fraternity
Capital
name
Bogotá
etymology
founded as Santa Fe de Bacatá in 1538, named after the nearby settlement of Bacatá belonging to the Chibcha people; the name was subsequently altered to Bogotá
time difference
UTC-5 (aligned with Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
4 36 N, 74 05 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Colombia
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
several previous; latest promulgated 4 July 1991
amendment process
can be proposed by the government, Congress, a constituent assembly, or through public petition; to pass, a majority vote from Congress is required in two consecutive sessions; amendments to constitutional articles regarding citizen rights, guarantees, and duties also necessitate a referendum where more than half of voters must approve and at least one quarter of registered voters must participate
Country name
etymology
named after explorer Christopher COLUMBUS
local long form
República de Colombia
local short form
Colombia
conventional long form
Republic of Colombia
conventional short form
Colombia
Independence
20 July 1810 (from Spain)
Legal system
civil law system shaped by Spanish and French civil codes
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (comprising the Civil-Agrarian and Labor Chambers, each with 7 judges, and the Penal Chamber with 9 judges); Constitutional Court (consisting of 9 magistrates); Council of State (composed of 27 judges); Superior Judiciary Council (featuring 13 magistrates)
subordinate courts
Superior Tribunals (appellate courts serving each judicial district); regional courts; civil municipal courts; Superior Military Tribunal; first-instance administrative courts
judge selection and term of office
judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by its members from candidates proposed by the Superior Judiciary Council; judges serve individual 8-year terms; magistrates of the Constitutional Court are nominated by the president, the Supreme Court, and elected by the Senate; judges also serve individual 8-year terms; members of the Council of State are appointed by the plenary of the State Council from lists put forth by the Superior Judiciary Council
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president
chief of state
President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 2022)
election results
2022: Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego was elected president in the second round; first-round vote percentages - Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (PHxC) 40.3%, Rodolfo HERNÁNDEZ Suárez (LIGA) 28.2%, Federico GUTIÉRREZ Zuluaga (Team for Colombia / CREEMOS) 23.9%, other 7.6%; second-round vote percentages - Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego 50.4%, Rodolfo HERNÁNDEZ Suarez 47.3%, blank 2.3%
2018: Iván DUQUE Márquez was elected president in the second round; vote percentages - Iván DUQUE Márquez (CD) 54%, Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (Humane Colombia) 41.8%, other/blank/invalid 4.2%
head of government
President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 2022)
most recent election date
29 May 2022, with a runoff held on 19 June 2022
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly through an absolute majority vote, requiring two rounds if necessary, for a single 4-year term
expected date of next election
31 May 2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
National color(s)
yellow, blue, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
9 (6 cultural, 2 natural, 1 mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Chiribiquete National Park (m); Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (c); Historic Center of Santa Cruz de Mompox (c); Los Katíos National Park (n); Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (n); Tierradentro National Archeological Park (c); San Agustín Archaeological Park (c); Colonial Cartagena (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c)
Political parties
Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA
Citizens Option (Opcion Ciudadana) or OC (formerly known as the National Integration Party or PIN)
The Commons (formerly People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC)
Conservative Party or PC
Democratic Center Party or CD
Fair and Free Colombia (Colombia Justa Libres)
Green Alliance
Historic Pact for Colombia or PHxC (coalition composed of several left-leaning political parties and social movements)
Humane Colombia
Independent Movement of Absolute Renovation or MIRA
League of Anti-Corruption Rulers or LIGA
Liberal Party or PL
People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC
Radical Change or CR
Team for Colombia - also known as the Experience Coalition or Coalition of the Regions (coalition composed of center-right and right-wing parties)
Union Party for the People or U Party
We Believe Colombia or CREEMOS
Legislative branch
legislature name
Congress (Congreso)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)
history
adopted in 1920; the anthem is derived from an inspirational poem authored by President Rafael NUNEZ; it always commences with the chorus
lyrics/music
Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI
National symbol(s)
Andean condor
Administrative divisions
comprises 32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and a capital district* (distrito capital); departments include Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlántico, Bogotá*, Bolívar, Boyacá, Caldas, Caquetá, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Chocó, Córdoba, Cundinamarca, Guainía, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindío, Risaralda, Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina (commonly known as San Andrés y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupés, Vichada
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
House of Representatives (Cámara de Representantes)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
187 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
3/13/2022
expected date of next election
March 2026
percentage of women in chamber
29.4%
parties elected and seats per party
Liberal Party (PL) (32); Historic Pact (27); Conservative Party (CP) (25); Democratic Centre (CD) (16); Radical Change (CR) (16); Union Party for the People “Partido de la U” (15); Green Alliance - Hope Centre coalition (11); Other (14)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Senado de la República)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
108 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
3/13/2022
expected date of next election
March 2026
percentage of women in chamber
31.4%
parties elected and seats per party
Historic Pact (20); Conservative Party (CP) (15); Liberal Party (PL) (14); Green Alliance - Hope Centre coalition (13); Democratic Centre (CD) (13); Radical Change (CR) (11); Union Party for the People “Partido de la U” (10); Other (4)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 232-8643
chancery
1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone
[1] (202) 387-8338
chief of mission
Ambassador Daniel GARCÍA-PEÑA JARAMILLO (since 18 September 2024)
consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark (NJ), Orlando, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.colombiaemb.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[57] (601) 275-4600
embassy
Carrera 45, No. 24B-27, Bogota
telephone
[57] (601) 275-2000
mailing address
3030 Bogota Place, Washington DC 20521-3030
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires John McNAMARA (since 1 February 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://co.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACS, BCIE, BIS, CABEI, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not provided a declaration for ICJ jurisdiction; accepts jurisdiction of the ICCt
Economy
Budget
revenues
$116.49 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$123.966 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$73.514 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$68.674 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$68.866 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$89.608 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$76.449 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$78.633 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
textiles, food processing, petroleum, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
Labor force
26.822 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2023
71.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
2.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
2.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
2.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
3,693.276 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
3,744.244 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
4,256.194 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
4,325.955 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
4,074.434 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$108.027 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
before the COVID-19 pandemic, this nation was recognized as one of the most stable growth economies; there has been a reduction in poverty levels; a significant stimulus package has lessened the economic impact, although it has postponed vital infrastructure developments; effective inflation control measures are in place; a robust and adaptable exchange rate system exists; the domestic economy is hindered by insufficient trade integration and infrastructure
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
10.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
9.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
9.7% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 27%, Panama 9%, India 5%, China 5%, Netherlands 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
USA 26%, China 22%, Brazil 6%, Mexico 5%, Germany 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$18,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$18,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$18,500 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
7.3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
0.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
1.7% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
sugarcane, oil palm fruit, milk, rice, plantains, potatoes, bananas, maize, chicken, avocados (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, coal, gold, coffee, refined petroleum (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, vehicles, broadcasting equipment, aircraft, packaged pharmaceuticals (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$20.879 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$8.285 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
-$7.412 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
17.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$418.542 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
73.1% (2024 est.)
government consumption
14.7% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0.6% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
16.5% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
16% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-20.9% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
33% (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
20.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
3.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
10.2% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
11.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
6.6% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-1.3% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$955.016 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$961.82 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$978.592 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
16.5% (2024 est.)
total
19.8% (2024 est.)
female
24.3% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$56.704 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$59.041 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$61.898 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
23.1% (2024 est.)
services
58.2% (2024 est.)
agriculture
9.3% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
1.1% (2023 est.)
highest 10%
42.7% (2023 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023
53.9 (2023 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
46.425 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
1,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
production
52.376 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
9.72 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
4.554 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
800,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
2.036 billion barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
374,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
1.293 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
407.788 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
82.309 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
21.053 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
7.232 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
958.724 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
10.927 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
11.885 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
87.782 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
29.305 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
34% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
62.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
2.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
77% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
a mix of public and private broadcasting entities deliver services; over 500 radio stations along with numerous national, regional, and local television stations (2019)
Internet country code
.co
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
6.32 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
12 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
92.1 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
174 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
8.91 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
17 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
8
medium
2
key ports
Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Covenas, El Bosque, Mamonal, Pozos Colorados, Puerto Bolivar, Puerto Prodeco, Santa Marta
very small
3
total ports
14 (2024)
size unknown
1
ports with oil terminals
10
Airports
661 (2025)
Railways
total
2,141 km (2019)
narrow gauge
1,991 km (2019) 0.914-m gauge
standard gauge
150 km (2019) 1.435-m gauge
Heliports
57 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
153 (2023)
by type
general cargo 28, oil tanker 13, other 112
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
HJ, HK
Military & Security
Military - note
The Colombian military is tasked with safeguarding the nation's independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity, while also playing a significant role in internal security. This includes the protection of civilians, as well as safeguarding both private and public assets, and ensuring a secure environment. The core mission of the military revolves around conducting counterinsurgency and counter-narcotics operations targeting domestic illegal armed groups, such as drug traffickers, various factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) terrorist organization, and the insurgent group known as the National Liberation Army (ELN).
Border security is another critical area of focus, particularly along the border with Venezuela, where economic and political turmoil has led to an influx of refugees and has fostered narcotics trafficking and other forms of cross-border crime. Both the ELN and dissident factions of FARC are known to operate freely in the border regions. Additionally, ELN and FARC insurgents have utilized neighboring Ecuador for rest, resupply, and refuge.
Colombia maintains strong security relationships with the United States, which include joint training, military assistance, and the designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2022. This status grants foreign partners specific advantages in defense, trade, and security cooperation. Colombia also forges close security relations with regional neighbors such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru. The Colombian military and security forces engage in training programs with counterparts from various countries, primarily those situated in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (2025).
Military deployments
275 Egypt (MFO) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
3.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
3.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Military Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Militares de Colombia): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Colombian Aerospace Force (Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana, FAC), Colombian Navy (Armada de Colombia; includes Coast Guard); National Police of Colombia (Policia Nacional de Colombia, PNC) (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Individuals aged 18-24 are subject to compulsory military service (for men) and voluntary service (for both men and women); the conscription period lasts 18 months, or 12 months for those who hold a college degree. The conscripted forces reportedly consist of regular soldiers (those without a high school diploma), drafted high school graduates (bachilleres), and rural soldiers (campesinos) who serve in their local areas (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal consists of a combination of domestically manufactured and imported weaponry sourced from various suppliers, including Brazil, Canada, Germany, Israel, South Korea, and the United States. Colombia's defense sector is actively involved in the production of air, land, and naval platforms (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Approximately 260,000 personnel comprise the active Military Forces, alongside roughly 150,000 members of the National Police (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
National Liberation Army (ELN); Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army (FARC-EP); Segunda Marquetalia (SM); Tren de Aragua (TdA)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
7,264,767 (2024 est.)
refugees
30,611 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
5 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Colombian Space Commission (Comision Colombiana Del Espacio, CCE; founded 2006) (2025)
Space program overview
maintains a modest program dedicated to the acquisition of satellites, especially remote sensing (RS) satellites; manages satellites and develops nanosatellites; investigates various space technologies, encompassing astronautics, satellite navigation, and telecommunications; collaborates with numerous international space agencies and commercial space enterprises, including those from Denmark, India, Russia, Sweden, the US, and several members of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)
Key space-program milestones
2007 - first domestically produced technology-demonstration/remote-sensing (RS) nanosatellite (Libertad I) launched by Russia
2014 - second experimental RS nanosatellite (UAPSAT) launched by US
2018 - first RS satellite (FACSAT-1) for military use purchased from Denmark and launched by India
2022 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration
2023 - second RS satellite (FACSAT-2 or Chibiriquete) launched by US
