Updated
Overview
Colombia has about 55% more people than Peru: 53.43 million against 34.58 million (2025).
Colombia's economy is about 35% larger than Peru's, at $457.41B versus $334.85B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Peru | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $457.41B | $334.85B | 2025 | $418.54B / $289.22B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $9,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 3.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 6.6% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 5.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 51 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $563 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $319 | $273 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $4.99 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 34.58 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 32.77 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 30.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.94 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 82% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 1,285,216 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 26.9/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 93 Mt | Lower: 70 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 2.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $2.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 0.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 158,000 | 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
Peru is growing faster: 3.4% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 51 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Peru: $563 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Peru is the younger society: median age 30.2 versus 32.5 years.
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 11% smaller than Peru: 1,141,748 km² versus 1,285,216 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Colombia spends 5.9 times as much on defence as Peru: $15.10B versus $2.57B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 158,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Peru?
- Peru is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Peru covers 1,285,216 km², so Peru is 13% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Peru?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 34.58 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Peru?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Peru is richer: $9,684 against $8,562. Total GDP tells a different story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $334.85B for Peru.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Peru?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $2.57B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).