Updated
Overview
Colombia has 2.8 times the population of Romania: 53.43 million people against 19.02 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $457.41B for Colombia and $428.68B for Romania.
Per person, Romania is the wealthier of the two: $22,538 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Romania | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $457.41B | $428.68B | 2025 | $418.54B / $382.77B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $22,538 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.6% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 5.1% | 7.2% | 2025 | 6.6% / 5.7% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 6.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $1,722 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $906 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $4.01 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 19.02 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 18.15 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.71 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 76.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 52% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 91% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 238,391 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 79.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 93 Mt | Lower: 69 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $8.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 128,000 | 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 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 5.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Romania: $1,722 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the far younger society: median age 32.5 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 1.5 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 76.5).
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Internet adoption is higher in Romania (91% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 4.8 times the size of Romania: 1,141,748 km² versus 238,391 km².
Military
Colombia spends about 75% more on defence than Romania: $15.10B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.3%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 128,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Romania?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Romania covers 238,391 km², so Colombia is 4.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Romania?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 19.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Romania?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Romania is richer: $22,538 against $8,562. Total GDP tells a different story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $428.68B for Romania.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Romania?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).