Updated
Overview
India has 27 times the population of Colombia: 1.46 billion people against 53.43 million (2025).
India's economy is 8.6 times the size of Colombia's, at $3.96T versus $457.41B.
Per person, Colombia is the wealthier of the two: $8,562 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Colombia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $457.41B | 2025 | $3.91T / $418.54B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $8,562 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 5.1% | 2025 | 5.0% / 6.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 38 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $499 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $319 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $8.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 53.43 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 49.84 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 32.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 79% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 1,141,748 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 46.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 93 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 2.2 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $15.10B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 million | 428,000 | 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
India is growing much faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 2.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 38 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Colombia: $499 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the younger society: median age 28.8 versus 32.5 years.
Life expectancy is 5.7 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 72.2).
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Geography
By land area, India is 2.9 times the size of Colombia: 3,287,590 km² versus 1,141,748 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 47.
Military
India spends 5.7 times as much on defence as Colombia: $86.13B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.3%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Colombia?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Colombia covers 1,141,748 km², so India is 2.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Colombia?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 53.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Colombia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Colombia is richer: $8,562 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $457.41B for Colombia.
- Who spends more on their military, India or Colombia?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).