Updated
Overview
Colombia has 9.7 times the population of Ireland: 53.43 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Ireland's economy is about 60% larger than Colombia's, at $721.70B versus $457.41B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $721.70B | 2025 | $418.54B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $131,592 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 6.6% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 85 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $5,697 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $2,579 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 93 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $1.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 0.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 2.2%.
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 Ireland: $5,697 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the younger society: median age 32.5 versus 39.0 years.
Life expectancy is 5.1 years longer in Ireland (83.0 vs 77.9).
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 65%.
Internet adoption is higher in Ireland (97% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 16 times the size of Ireland: 1,141,748 km² versus 70,273 km².
Military
Colombia spends 11 times as much on defence as Ireland: $15.10B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Ireland?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so Colombia is 16 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Ireland?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Ireland?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).