Updated
Overview
Colombia has 5.9 times the population of Switzerland: 53.43 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is 2.3 times the size of Colombia's, at $1.04T versus $457.41B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $1.04T | 2025 | $418.54B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.6% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 6.6% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 93 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 20,000 | 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 1.3%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the far younger society: median age 32.5 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.5 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 28 times the size of Switzerland: 1,141,748 km² versus 41,284 km².
Switzerland is far more densely settled: 220 people per km² against 47.
Military
Colombia spends 2.2 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $15.10B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Switzerland?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Colombia is 28 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Switzerland?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or Switzerland?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).