Updated
Overview
Colombia and South Korea are nearly matched in population: 53.43 million versus 51.68 million people (2025).
South Korea's economy is 4.1 times the size of Colombia's, at $1.87T versus $457.41B.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $1.87T | 2025 | $418.54B / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 6.6% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $1,511 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 569,000 | 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 1.0%.
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 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the far younger society: median age 32.5 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 5.7 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in South Korea (98% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 11 times the size of South Korea: 1,141,748 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 47.
Military
South Korea spends 3.2 times as much on defence as Colombia: $47.57B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than South Korea?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Colombia is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or South Korea?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).