Updated
Overview
Colombia has 9.5 times the population of Finland: 53.43 million people against 5.65 million (2025).
Colombia's economy is about 45% larger than Finland's, at $457.41B versus $317.04B.
Per person, Finland is the wealthier of the two: $56,149 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $457.41B | $317.04B | 2025 | $418.54B / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $56,149 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.6% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 6.6% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $5,760 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 5.65 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 93 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $6.99B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 22,000 | 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 0.2%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 0.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 85 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Finland: $5,760 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the far younger society: median age 32.5 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 4.4 years longer in Finland (82.3 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Finland (94% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 3.4 times the size of Finland: 1,141,748 km² versus 338,424 km².
Colombia is far more densely settled: 47 people per km² against 17.
Military
Colombia spends 2.2 times as much on defence as Finland: $15.10B versus $6.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.3%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Finland?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², so Colombia is 3.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Finland?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Finland is richer: $56,149 against $8,562. Total GDP tells a different story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Finland?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $6.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).