Updated
Overview
Colombia has 2.6 times the population of Kazakhstan: 53.43 million people against 20.84 million (2025).
Colombia's economy is about 50% larger than Kazakhstan's, at $457.41B versus $306.24B.
Per person, Kazakhstan is the wealthier of the two: $14,692 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Kazakhstan | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $457.41B | $306.24B | 2025 | $418.54B / $288.41B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $14,692 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 6.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 5.1% | 11.4% | 2025 | 6.6% / 8.8% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $673 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $319 | $181 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 20.84 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 20.43 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 29.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 2.95 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 74.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 62% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 93% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 2,724,900 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 7.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 287 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 13.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $1.21B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 0.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 71,000 | 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
Kazakhstan is growing much faster: 6.5% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Kazakhstan runs the hotter price environment: 11.4% inflation versus 5.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Kazakhstan: $673 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Kazakhstan is the younger society: median age 29.7 versus 32.5 years.
Life expectancy is 3.4 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 74.5).
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 62%.
Internet adoption is higher in Kazakhstan (93% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 58% smaller than Kazakhstan: 1,141,748 km² versus 2,724,900 km².
Colombia is far more densely settled: 47 people per km² against 8.
Military
Colombia spends 12 times as much on defence as Kazakhstan: $15.10B versus $1.21B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.4%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 71,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Kazakhstan?
- Kazakhstan is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Kazakhstan covers 2,724,900 km², so Kazakhstan is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Kazakhstan?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 20.84 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Kazakhstan?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Kazakhstan is richer: $14,692 against $8,562. Total GDP tells a different story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $306.24B for Kazakhstan.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Kazakhstan?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $1.21B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).