Updated
Overview
China has 26 times the population of Colombia: 1.41 billion people against 53.43 million (2025).
China's economy is 43 times the size of Colombia's, at $19.50T versus $457.41B.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Colombia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $457.41B | 2025 | $18.74T / $418.54B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $8,562 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 5.1% | 2025 | 0.2% / 6.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 38 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $499 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $319 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $8.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 53.43 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 49.84 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 32.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 79% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 1,141,748 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 46.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 93 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $15.10B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 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
China is growing faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the younger society: median age 32.5 versus 40.1 years.
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, China is 8.4 times the size of Colombia: 9,596,960 km² versus 1,141,748 km².
China is far more densely settled: 147 people per km² against 47.
Military
China spends 21 times as much on defence as Colombia: $313.66B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Colombia?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Colombia covers 1,141,748 km², so China is 8.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Colombia?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 53.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Colombia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $457.41B for Colombia.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Colombia?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).