Updated
Overview
Colombia has 2.7 times the population of Chile: 53.43 million people against 19.86 million (2025).
Colombia's economy is 28% larger than Chile's, at $457.41B versus $357.37B.
Per person, Chile is the wealthier of the two: $17,995 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Chile | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $457.41B | $357.37B | 2025 | $418.54B / $330.27B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $17,995 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.6% | 2.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 4.2% | 2025 | 6.6% / 4.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 9.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $1,024 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $530 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $5.41 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 19.86 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 19.09 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 36.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.13 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 756,102 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 26.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 93 Mt | Lower: 79 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $5.11B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 114,000 | 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 (2.6% for Colombia, 2.5% for Chile).
Inflation is comparable in both: 5.1% in Colombia and 4.2% in Chile.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 48 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Chile: $1,024 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the younger society: median age 32.5 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 3.4 years longer in Chile (81.4 vs 77.9).
Chile is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 79%.
Internet adoption is higher in Chile (96% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 51% larger than Chile: 1,141,748 km² versus 756,102 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Colombia spends 3.0 times as much on defence as Chile: $15.10B versus $5.11B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.6%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 114,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Chile?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Chile covers 756,102 km², so Colombia is 51% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Chile?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 19.86 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Chile?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Chile is richer: $17,995 against $8,562. Total GDP tells a different story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $357.37B for Chile.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Chile?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).