Country Profile: Colombia

Colombia, located in northern South America, is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and boasts diverse geography, including the Andes Mountains and flat coastal plains. The country has a population of approximately 49.8 million, primarily concentrated in urban areas where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are abundant. Economically, Colombia has historically shown consistent growth, supported by a well-rounded democratic governance structure established after a peace accord with the FARC in 2016. Despite ongoing challenges from drug trafficking and internal conflict, Colombia continues to develop with a focus on transparency and civil liberties.

Geography

Colombia is situated in northern South America, sharing coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and North Pacific Ocean. With a total area of approximately 1.14 million square kilometers, it includes a diverse terrain comprising of flat coastal lowlands, highlands, and the Andes Mountains. The climate varies from tropical along the coasts to cooler conditions in the highlands, and the country is endowed with rich natural resources such as petroleum and coffee.

1,138,910 sq km: Total land area
3,208 km: Total coastline
6,672 km: Total land boundaries with Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela
53.8%: Forest cover as of 2023
36.5%: Agricultural land use in 2023

People and Society

Colombia's population is approximately 49.8 million, predominantly Mestizo and White (87.6%), followed by Afro-Colombian (6.8%) and Indigenous groups (4.3%). The official language is Spanish, spoken by 98.9% of the population. Urbanization is significant, with 82.4% residing in urban areas, and the median age is around 33.1 years. The country has made strides in education and health, but challenges around poverty, with 33% of the population below the national poverty line, remain prevalent.

49,842,298: Total population (2025 estimate)
14.73 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025 estimate)
74.9 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 estimate)
95.3%: Literacy rate (2024 estimate)
82.4%: Urban population (2023)

Economy

Colombia's economy is diverse, with significant contributions from agriculture (9.3%), industry (23.1%), and services (58.2%). The country has demonstrated resilience with notable GDP growth rates prior to COVID-19. The GDP per capita is approximately $18,500, and recent years have seen improvements in inflation management. However, the economy continues to face challenges such as high unemployment and inequality, highlighted by a Gini index of 53.9.

$978.592 billion: Real GDP (PPP, 2024 estimate)
9.7%: Unemployment rate (2024 estimate)
26.822 million: Labor force (2024 estimate)
$116.49 billion: Government revenues (2023 estimate)
33%: Population below the poverty line (2023 estimate)

Government

Colombia is a presidential republic with a governance structure that includes three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The president, currently Gustavo Francisco Petro Urrego, is elected for a four-year term and serves as both the head of state and government. The country has a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Colombia's constitution has undergone several amendments, the most recent promulgated in 1991, ensuring a framework for democratic governance and civil rights.

Gustavo Petro: Current president (since August 2022)
32: Number of departments in Colombia
18: Minimum voting age
3%: Military expenditure of GDP (2023 estimate)

Military and Security

Colombia maintains a robust military structure, comprising the National Army, Colombian Aerospace Force, and Navy, complemented by the National Police. The military plays a vital role in internal security, particularly in counterinsurgency operations against groups like FARC and ELN. Military expenditure is approximately 3.4% of GDP, reflecting the government's focus on security amid ongoing challenges from drug trafficking and political instability.

260,000: Active military personnel (2025 estimate)
150,000: National Police personnel (2025 estimate)
3.4%: Military expenditure of GDP (2024 estimate)

Energy

Colombia has a well-developed energy sector, with 100% of the population having access to electricity. The country produces a significant amount of energy from renewable resources, particularly hydropower, which accounts for over 62% of total installed capacity. Petroleum and coal also play crucial roles in Colombia's energy landscape, with substantial production and export activities.

21.053 million kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023 estimate)
800,000 bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023 estimate)
62.1%: Hydroelectricity share in total installed capacity (2023 estimate)

Environment

Colombia faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution related to agricultural practices. The country is part of multiple international environmental agreements, reflecting its commitment to addressing these issues. Urban areas, particularly Bogotá, experience significant air pollution from vehicle emissions, and efforts are ongoing to manage waste and recycling effectively.

13.1 µg/m³: Particulate matter emissions (2019 estimate)
12.15 million tons: Annual municipal solid waste generated (2024 estimate)
28.5%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 estimate)

Transportation

Colombia has a diversified transportation network, including 661 airports, extensive road networks, and significant port facilities. The country also features a railway system primarily based on narrow gauge. Major ports such as Buenaventura and Cartagena are key to the country's trade activities, facilitating both imports and exports.

2,141 km: Total railway length (2019 estimate)
661: Total airports (2025 estimate)
14: Total ports (2024 estimate)

Communications

Colombia's communication infrastructure is robust, with a high rate of mobile cellular subscriptions and internet accessibility. Approximately 77% of the population uses the internet, and there are more than 500 radio stations and numerous television channels providing a variety of media services.

92.1 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 estimate)
77%: Internet users as a percentage of the population (2023 estimate)
8.91 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 estimate)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	49,842,298	2025 estimate
Area (sq km)	1,138,910	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$978.592 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	9.7%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	14.73 births/1,000 people	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	74.9 years	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	95.3%	2024 estimate
Military Expenditure	3.4% of GDP	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	100%	2022 estimate
Urban Population	82.4%	2023 estimate