Updated
Overview
Thailand has 34% more people than Colombia: 71.62 million against 53.43 million (2025).
Thailand's economy is 26% larger than Colombia's, at $577.01B versus $457.41B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Thailand | Colombia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $577.01B | $457.41B | 2025 | $526.41B / $418.54B |
| GDP per capita | $8,057 | Higher: $8,562 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.4% | Higher: 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: -0.1% | 5.1% | 2025 | 1.4% / 6.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 0.8% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 31 | 38 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $508 | $499 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $254 | Higher: $319 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.02 | $8.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 71.62 million | 53.43 million | 2025 | 70.03 million / 49.84 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 32.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.19 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.6 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 91% | 79% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 513,120 km² | 1,141,748 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 139.6/km² | 46.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 268 Mt | Lower: 93 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.52B | $15.10B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.1% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 455,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (2.4% for Thailand, 2.6% for Colombia).
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus -0.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Thailand: $508 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the far younger society: median age 32.5 versus 40.6 years.
Life expectancy is 1.3 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 76.6).
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 63%.
Internet adoption is higher in Thailand (91% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Thailand is 55% smaller than Colombia: 513,120 km² versus 1,141,748 km².
Thailand is far more densely settled: 140 people per km² against 47.
Military
Colombia spends 2.7 times as much on defence as Thailand: $15.10B versus $5.52B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.1%.
Thailand fields the larger armed forces: 455,000 personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Thailand bigger than Colombia?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Thailand covers 513,120 km² while Colombia covers 1,141,748 km², so Colombia is 2.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Thailand or Colombia?
- Thailand has the larger population: 71.62 million versus 53.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Thailand richer than Colombia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Colombia is richer: $8,562 against $8,057. Total GDP tells a different story: $577.01B for Thailand versus $457.41B for Colombia.
- Who spends more on their military, Thailand or Colombia?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $5.52B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).