Updated
Overview
Vietnam has about 90% more people than Colombia: 101.60 million against 53.43 million (2025).
Vietnam's economy is 13% larger than Colombia's, at $514.70B versus $457.41B.
Per person, Colombia is the wealthier of the two: $8,562 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Colombia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $514.70B | $457.41B | 2025 | $476.39B / $418.54B |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $8,562 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 2.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.3% | 5.1% | 2025 | 3.6% / 6.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 8.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 38 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $499 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $319 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $8.00 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 53.43 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 49.84 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 32.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 84% | 79% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 1,141,748 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 46.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 93 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 1.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $15.10B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 3.4% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 2.6%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.3% in Vietnam and 5.1% in Colombia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 38 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Colombia: $499 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 33.4 (Vietnam) and 32.5 (Colombia).
Life expectancy is 3.2 years longer in Colombia (77.9 vs 74.7).
Colombia is considerably more urbanized: 79% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 71% smaller than Colombia: 331,212 km² versus 1,141,748 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 47.
Military
Colombia spends 2.7 times as much on defence as Vietnam: $15.10B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Colombia carries the heavier military burden: 3.4% of GDP versus 1.8%.
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 428,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Colombia?
- Colombia is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Colombia covers 1,141,748 km², so Colombia is 3.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Colombia?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 53.43 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Colombia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Colombia is richer: $8,562 against $5,066. Total GDP tells a different story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $457.41B for Colombia.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Colombia?
- Colombia spends more: $15.10B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).