Updated
Overview
Colombia has about 45% more people than Saudi Arabia: 53.43 million against 36.97 million (2025).
Saudi Arabia's economy is 2.8 times the size of Colombia's, at $1.28T versus $457.41B.
Per person, Saudi Arabia is the wealthier of the two: $34,537 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Saudi Arabia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $1.28T | 2025 | $418.54B / $1.24T |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $34,537 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 6.6% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $1,799 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $1,067 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $5.06 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 36.97 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 36.54 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 29.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 2.29 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 79.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 85% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 2,149,690 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 17.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 692 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 20.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $80.33B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 7.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 282,000 | 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
Saudi Arabia is growing faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Saudi Arabia: $1,799 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Saudi Arabia is the younger society: median age 29.6 versus 32.5 years.
Life expectancy is 1.1 years longer in Saudi Arabia (79.0 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Saudi Arabia (100% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 47% smaller than Saudi Arabia: 1,141,748 km² versus 2,149,690 km².
Colombia is far more densely settled: 47 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 5.3 times as much on defence as Colombia: $80.33B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 3.4%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 282,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km², so Saudi Arabia is 88% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Saudi Arabia?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 36.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Saudi Arabia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Saudi Arabia is richer: $34,537 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $1.28T for Saudi Arabia.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Saudi Arabia?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).