Updated
Overview
Russia has 2.7 times the population of Colombia: 143.51 million people against 53.43 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 5.6 times the size of Colombia's, at $2.56T versus $457.41B.
Per person, Russia is the wealthier of the two: $17,547 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Colombia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $457.41B | 2025 | $2.17T / $418.54B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $17,547 | $8,562 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 5.1% | 2025 | 6.7% / 6.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 38 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $777 | $499 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $319 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $8.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 53.43 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 49.84 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 32.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 79% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 1,141,748 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 46.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 93 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $15.10B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 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
Colombia is growing faster: 2.6% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 5.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Russia: $777 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the younger society: median age 32.5 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 4.5 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 73.4).
Internet adoption is higher in Russia (94% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 15 times the size of Colombia: 17,098,242 km² versus 1,141,748 km².
Colombia is far more densely settled: 47 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 9.9 times as much on defence as Colombia: $148.97B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 3.4%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Colombia?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Colombia covers 1,141,748 km², so Russia is 15 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Colombia?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 53.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Colombia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Russia is richer: $17,547 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.56T for Russia versus $457.41B for Colombia.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Colombia?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).