Updated
Overview
Colombia has about 95% more people than Australia: 53.43 million against 27.61 million (2025).
Australia's economy is 3.9 times the size of Colombia's, at $1.80T versus $457.41B.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $1.80T | 2025 | $418.54B / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.6% | 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 2.9% | 2025 | 6.6% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 90 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $4,436 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 60,000 | 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
Colombia is growing faster: 2.6% annual GDP growth versus 1.4%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 2.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the younger society: median age 32.5 versus 38.3 years.
Life expectancy is 5.1 years longer in Australia (83.1 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Australia (96% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 85% smaller than Australia: 1,141,748 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
Colombia is far more densely settled: 47 people per km² against 4.
Military
Australia spends 2.2 times as much on defence as Colombia: $33.82B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 6.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Australia?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Australia?
- Australia spends more: $33.82B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).