Updated
Overview
Colombia has 4.6 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 53.43 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is 21% larger than Colombia's, at $552.32B versus $457.41B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $457.41B | Higher: $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $418.54B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $8,562 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.6% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 5.1% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 6.6% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 79% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 63,000 | 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
The United Arab Emirates is growing faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 32.5 (Colombia) and 31.6 (the United Arab Emirates).
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 14 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 1,141,748 km² versus 83,600 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 47.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends about 50% more on defence than Colombia: $22.76B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 3.4%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Colombia is 14 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or the United Arab Emirates?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Colombia or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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