Updated
Overview
Brazil has 4.0 times the population of Colombia: 212.81 million people against 53.43 million (2025).
Brazil's economy is 5.0 times the size of Colombia's, at $2.28T versus $457.41B.
Per person, Brazil is the wealthier of the two: $10,713 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Brazil | Colombia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.28T | $457.41B | 2025 | $2.18T / $418.54B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $10,713 | $8,562 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.3% | Higher: 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 5.0% | 5.1% | 2025 | 4.4% / 6.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.0% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 38 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $607 | $499 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $262 | Higher: $319 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.71 | $8.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 212.81 million | 53.43 million | 2025 | 221.36 million / 49.84 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.8 yrs | 32.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.60 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.0 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 84% | 79% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 8,515,767 km² | 1,141,748 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 25.0/km² | 46.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 483 Mt | Lower: 93 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.3 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $20.95B | $15.10B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.0% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 762,000 | 428,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (2.3% for Brazil, 2.6% for Colombia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 5.0% in Brazil and 5.1% in Colombia.
Average monthly earnings favour Brazil: $607 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the younger society: median age 32.5 versus 34.8 years.
Life expectancy is 1.9 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 76.0).
Geography
By land area, Brazil is 7.5 times the size of Colombia: 8,515,767 km² versus 1,141,748 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Brazil spends about 40% more on defence than Colombia: $20.95B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Brazil fields the larger armed forces: 762,000 personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Brazil bigger than Colombia?
- Brazil is larger by land area. Brazil covers 8,515,767 km² while Colombia covers 1,141,748 km², so Brazil is 7.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Brazil or Colombia?
- Brazil has the larger population: 212.81 million versus 53.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Brazil richer than Colombia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Brazil is richer: $10,713 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.28T for Brazil versus $457.41B for Colombia.
- Who spends more on their military, Brazil or Colombia?
- Brazil spends more: $20.95B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).