Updated
Overview
Colombia has 5.3 times the population of Israel: 53.43 million people against 10.12 million (2025).
Israel's economy is 34% larger than Colombia's, at $610.78B versus $457.41B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $610.78B | 2025 | $418.54B / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | 6.6% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $3,383 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $1,589 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 10.12 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 93 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 178,000 | 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, 2.9% for Israel).
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 3.0%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Israel: $3,383 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the younger society: median age 29.2 versus 32.5 years.
Life expectancy is 5.3 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 77.9).
Israel is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 79%.
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 55 times the size of Israel: 1,141,748 km² versus 20,770 km².
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 47.
Military
Israel spends 3.1 times as much on defence as Colombia: $46.51B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 3.4%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 178,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Israel?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so Colombia is 55 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Israel?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Israel?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).