Updated
Overview
Colombia has about 50% more people than Malaysia: 53.43 million against 35.98 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $457.41B for Colombia and $472.19B for Malaysia.
Per person, Malaysia is the wealthier of the two: $13,125 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $472.19B | 2025 | $418.54B / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 6.6% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $328 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 136,000 | 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
Malaysia is growing faster: 5.2% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 1.4%.
Average monthly earnings favour Malaysia: $698 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 32.5 (Colombia) and 31.0 (Malaysia).
Life expectancy is 1.1 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 76.8).
Internet adoption is higher in Malaysia (98% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 3.5 times the size of Malaysia: 1,141,748 km² versus 330,803 km².
Malaysia is far more densely settled: 109 people per km² against 47.
Military
Colombia spends 3.5 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $15.10B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Malaysia?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Colombia is 3.5 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Malaysia?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Malaysia is richer: $13,125 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Malaysia?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).