Updated
Overview
Colombia has 2.9 times the population of Ecuador: 53.43 million people against 18.29 million (2025).
Colombia's economy is 3.5 times the size of Ecuador's, at $457.41B versus $130.32B.
Per person, Colombia is the wealthier of the two: $8,562 against $7,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Ecuador | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $457.41B | $130.32B | 2025 | $418.54B / $124.68B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $8,562 | $7,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 3.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 6.6% / 1.5% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 43 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $538 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $319 | $39 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 18.29 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 18.48 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 29.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.79 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 77.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 63% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 79% | 77% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 276,841 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 66.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 93 Mt | Lower: 46 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 2.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $2.70B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 2.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 42,000 | 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
Ecuador is growing faster: 3.7% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 0.7%.
Average monthly earnings favour Ecuador: $538 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Ecuador is the younger society: median age 29.3 versus 32.5 years.
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 63%.
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 4.1 times the size of Ecuador: 1,141,748 km² versus 276,841 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Colombia spends 5.6 times as much on defence as Ecuador: $15.10B versus $2.70B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.2%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 42,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Ecuador?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Ecuador covers 276,841 km², so Colombia is 4.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Ecuador?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 18.29 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Ecuador?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Colombia is richer: $8,562 against $7,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $130.32B for Ecuador.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Ecuador?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $2.70B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).