Updated
Overview
Iran has about 75% more people than Colombia: 92.42 million against 53.43 million (2025).
Colombia's economy is 26% larger than Iran's, at $457.41B versus $362.68B.
Per person, Colombia is the wealthier of the two: $8,562 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Colombia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $457.41B | 2025 | $436.91B / $418.54B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $8,562 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 5.1% | 2025 | 32.5% / 6.6% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 38 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $499 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $319 | 2023 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $8.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 53.43 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 49.84 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 32.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 85% | 79% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 1,141,748 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 46.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 93 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $15.10B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 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
Colombia grew while the other economy contracted: 2.6% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 5.1%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 34.0 (Iran) and 32.5 (Colombia).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 44% larger than Colombia: 1,648,195 km² versus 1,141,748 km².
Military
Colombia spends about 90% more on defence than Iran: $15.10B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 2.0%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Colombia?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Colombia covers 1,141,748 km², so Iran is 44% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Colombia?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 53.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Colombia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Colombia is richer: $8,562 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $457.41B for Colombia.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Colombia?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).