Country Profile: Colombia

Colombia, located in the northern part of South America, is bordered by both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, making it unique in its coastal geography. With a population of nearly 50 million, Colombia has experienced significant internal conflict and challenges related to the drug trade, particularly with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), which has shaped its governance and societal structure. Despite these challenges, Colombia has established strong democratic institutions with relatively peaceful elections, and its economy is diverse, including agriculture, industry, and services as key sectors.

Geography

Colombia is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, and the Andes Mountains. It has a total area of approximately 1.14 million square kilometers, making it slightly less than twice the size of Texas. The country experiences a tropical climate along the coast, while cooler conditions prevail in the highlands.

3,208 km of coastline along the Caribbean Sea and North Pacific Ocean.
6,672 km of land boundaries shared with five countries: Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
52.9% of land designated as forest (2022).
Home to the Pico Cristobal Colon, the highest point at 5,730 m.

People and Society

Colombia's population is approximately 49.6 million, with a dynamic ethnic composition comprising mestizos, Afro-Colombians, and indigenous peoples. Spanish is the predominant language, while a variety of indigenous languages are also spoken. The country has a significant urban population, with about 82.4% living in urban areas as of 2023.

22.3% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
Life expectancy is 74.9 years (2024).
96% literacy rate (2020).
Major urban centers include Bogotá (11.5 million) and Medellín (4.1 million).

Economy

Colombia's economy has consistently shown growth, with a real GDP of approximately $978.6 billion anticipated for 2024. It has a mixed economy where services dominate, alongside agriculture and industry. The country has faced inflation challenges but has managed to maintain a flexible exchange rate and stimulate economic resilience post-COVID-19.

6.6% inflation rate projected for 2024.
9.7% unemployment rate (2024).
33% of the population below the poverty line (2023).
$68.866 billion in export value (2024).

Government

Colombia operates as a presidential republic with a strong democratic framework. The current president, Gustavo Petro, has been in office since 2022. The government consists of a bicameral Congress and a judiciary influenced by civil law. The country is divided into 32 departments and one capital district.

The latest constitution was promulgated on July 4, 1991.
Universal suffrage is granted to citizens aged 18 and older.
32 departments and 1 capital district.

Military and Security

Colombia maintains a strong military presence with approximately 260,000 active personnel. The military focuses on counterinsurgency and internal security challenges, particularly against groups like the ELN and former FARC factions. It cooperates closely with the United States for security assistance.

Military expenditures are around 3.4% of GDP (2024).
The National Police includes approximately 150,000 personnel.
275 active service members deployed in international missions (2025).

Energy

Colombia's energy sector is robust, with a total installed electricity generation capacity of around 21.1 million kW as of 2023. Hydroelectric power is the primary source, making up over 62% of the total capacity.

100% of the population has access to electricity (2022).
800,000 bbl/day of petroleum production (2023).
52.4 million metric tons of coal produced (2023).

Environment

Colombia faces environmental issues such as deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution from agricultural practices. The country is involved in multiple international environmental agreements aimed at conservation and sustainable development.

52.9% of land is designated as forest (2022).
14.04 micrograms of particulate matter emissions per cubic meter of air (2019).
Committed to various biodiversity and climate change agreements.

Transportation

Colombia's transportation network includes a large number of airports and railways, with significant investment in maritime transport. The country has a total of 661 airports projected for 2025 and a railway network measuring over 2,141 km.

153 ships in the merchant marine (2023).
661 airports planned for 2025.
2,141 km of railway tracks.

Communications

The communications sector in Colombia is growing, with a high rate of mobile cellular subscriptions and internet access. Approximately 87.4 million mobile subscriptions were recorded in 2023, demonstrating the country's connectivity.

77% of the population are internet users (2023).
7.277 million fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).
8.91 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	49,588,357	2024 estimate
Area	1,138,910 sq km	Total land and water
GDP (PPP)	$978.592 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	9.7%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	14.9 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	74.9 years	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	96%	2020 estimate
Inflation Rate	6.6%	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	29.305 million Btu	2023 estimate