Updated
Overview
Colombia has about 85% more people than Venezuela: 53.43 million against 28.52 million (2025).
Colombia's economy is 4.6 times the size of Venezuela's, at $457.41B versus $99.66B.
Per person, Colombia is the wealthier of the two: $8,562 against $3,495 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Colombia | Venezuela | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $457.41B | $99.66B | 2025 | $418.54B / $139.40B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $8,562 | $3,495 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 2.6% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 5.1% | 254.9% | 2025 / 2016 | 6.6% / — |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 5.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $499 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $319 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $8.00 | $4.51 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 53.43 million | 28.52 million | 2025 | 49.84 million / 31.76 million |
| Population growth | 1.0% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.5 yrs | 29.4 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 2.06 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 72.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 79% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 79% | 77% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,141,748 km² | 916,445 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 46.8/km² | 31.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 93 Mt | 116 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.8 t | 4.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $15.10B | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 0.5% | 2024 / 2023 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 428,000 | 343,000 | 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 1.6%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Venezuela at 254.9%, while the other economy sits at 5.1%.
People and society
Venezuela is the younger society: median age 29.4 versus 32.5 years.
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 72.7).
Venezuela is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 79%.
Geography
By land area, Colombia is 25% larger than Venezuela: 1,141,748 km² versus 916,445 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 0.5%.
Colombia fields the larger armed forces: 428,000 personnel against 343,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Colombia bigger than Venezuela?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Colombia covers 1,141,748 km² while Venezuela covers 916,445 km², so Colombia is 25% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Colombia or Venezuela?
- Colombia has the larger population: 53.43 million versus 28.52 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Colombia richer than Venezuela?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Colombia is richer: $8,562 against $3,495. Total GDP tells the same story: $457.41B for Colombia versus $99.66B for Venezuela.