Updated
Overview
Colombia has 17% more people than Argentina: 53.43 million against 45.85 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is about 50% larger than Colombia's, at $683.10B versus $457.41B.
Per person, Argentina is the wealthier of the two: $14,898 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $683.10B | 2025 | $418.54B / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 5.1% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 6.6% / — |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $811 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $319 | $297 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $4.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 103,000 | 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
Argentina is growing faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 5.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Argentina: $811 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 32.5 (Colombia) and 32.9 (Argentina).
Argentina is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 79%.
Internet adoption is higher in Argentina (90% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 59% smaller than Argentina: 1,141,748 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Colombia is far more densely settled: 47 people per km² against 16.
Military
Colombia spends 3.6 times as much on defence as Argentina: $15.10B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Argentina?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Argentina is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Argentina?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Argentina is richer: $14,898 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Argentina?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).