Updated
Overview
Colombia has 4.9 times the population of Portugal: 53.43 million people against 10.80 million (2025).
Colombia's economy is 32% larger than Portugal's, at $457.41B versus $346.64B.
Per person, Portugal is the wealthier of the two: $32,082 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $457.41B | $346.64B | 2025 | $418.54B / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.6% | 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 2.3% | 2025 | 6.6% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $1,426 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $1,147 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 93 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 52,000 | 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 1.9%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 2.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Portugal: $1,426 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the far younger society: median age 32.5 versus 46.9 years.
Life expectancy is 4.5 years longer in Portugal (82.4 vs 77.9).
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 61%.
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 12 times the size of Portugal: 1,141,748 km² versus 92,090 km².
Portugal is far more densely settled: 117 people per km² against 47.
Military
Colombia spends 3.3 times as much on defence as Portugal: $15.10B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.5%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Portugal?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so Colombia is 12 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Portugal?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Portugal is richer: $32,082 against $8,562. Total GDP tells a different story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Portugal?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).