Updated
Overview
Colombia and Spain are nearly matched in population: 53.43 million versus 49.36 million people (2025).
Spain's economy is 4.2 times the size of Colombia's, at $1.91T versus $457.41B.
Per person, Spain is the wealthier of the two: $38,627 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Spain | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $1.91T | 2025 | $418.54B / $1.72T |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $38,627 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | 6.6% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 10.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 65 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $3,574 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $1,561 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 49.36 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 47.28 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 45.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.23 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 505,992 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 97.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 220 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 4.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $24.62B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 1.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 199,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (2.6% for Colombia, 2.8% for Spain).
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 2.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 65 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Spain: $3,574 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the far younger society: median age 32.5 versus 45.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.0 years longer in Spain (83.9 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Spain (96% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 2.3 times the size of Spain: 1,141,748 km² versus 505,992 km².
Spain is far more densely settled: 98 people per km² against 47.
Military
Spain spends about 65% more on defence than Colombia: $24.62B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.4%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 199,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Spain?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Spain covers 505,992 km², so Colombia is 2.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Spain?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 49.36 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Spain?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Spain is richer: $38,627 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $1.91T for Spain.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Spain?
- Spain spends more: $24.62B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).