Updated
Overview
Colombia has 3.0 times the population of the Netherlands: 53.43 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 2.9 times the size of Colombia's, at $1.33T versus $457.41B.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $1.33T | 2025 | $418.54B / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.6% | 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | 6.6% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $6,402 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $2,538 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 41,000 | 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 1.8%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 5.1% in Colombia and 3.3% in the Netherlands.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the far younger society: median age 32.5 versus 41.5 years.
Life expectancy is 4.1 years longer in the Netherlands (82.0 vs 77.9).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 79%.
Internet adoption is higher in the Netherlands (97% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 27 times the size of the Netherlands: 1,141,748 km² versus 41,850 km².
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 47.
Military
The Netherlands spends about 55% more on defence than Colombia: $23.18B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than the Netherlands?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Colombia is 27 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or the Netherlands?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or the Netherlands?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).