Updated
Overview
The United States has 6.4 times the population of Colombia: 341.78 million people against 53.43 million (2025).
The United States' economy is 67 times the size of Colombia's, at $30.77T versus $457.41B.
Per person, the United States is the wealthier of the two: $90,027 against $8,562 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United States | Colombia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.77T | $457.41B | 2025 | $29.18T / $418.54B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $90,027 | $8,562 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.2% | Higher: 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.9% | 5.1% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 6.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 100 | 38 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $6,273 | $499 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,257 | $319 | 2026 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $8.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 341.78 million | 53.43 million | 2025 | 338.02 million / 49.84 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 32.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.9 yrs | 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 80% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 95% | 79% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,833,517 km² | 1,141,748 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 34.8/km² | 46.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4,904 Mt | Lower: 93 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 14.2 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $997.31B | $15.10B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 3.4% | 3.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.4 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (2.2% for the United States, 2.6% for Colombia).
Colombia runs the hotter price environment: 5.1% inflation versus 2.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Colombia: a price level of 38 versus 100 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United States: $6,273 against $499 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Colombia is the younger society: median age 32.5 versus 38.5 years.
Internet adoption is higher in the United States (95% vs 79% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the United States is 8.6 times the size of Colombia: 9,833,517 km² versus 1,141,748 km².
Military
The United States spends 66 times as much on defence as Colombia: $997.31B versus $15.10B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The United States fields the larger armed forces: 1.4 million personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United States bigger than Colombia?
- The United States is larger by land area. The United States covers 9,833,517 km² while Colombia covers 1,141,748 km², so the United States is 8.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United States or Colombia?
- The United States has the larger population: 341.78 million versus 53.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United States richer than Colombia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United States is richer: $90,027 against $8,562. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.77T for the United States versus $457.41B for Colombia.
- Who spends more on their military, the United States or Colombia?
- The United States spends more: $997.31B versus $15.10B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).