Factbook dossier
Background
Colombia was one of three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 -- the others are Ecuador and Venezuela. A decades-long conflict among government forces, paramilitaries, and antigovernment insurgent groups heavily funded by the drug trade -- principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) -- escalated during the 1990s. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization in the 2000s, new criminal groups arose that included some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a final accord with the FARC in 2016 that called for its members to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics. The accord also committed the Colombian Government to create three new institutions to form a 'comprehensive system for truth, justice, reparation, and non-repetition,' including a truth commission, a special unit to coordinate the search for those who disappeared during the conflict, and a 'Special Jurisdiction for Peace' to administer justice for conflict-related crimes. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug-trade-related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong and independent democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
Area
total : 1,138,910 sq km land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
Natural hazards
highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts volcanism: Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes; it has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985, producing lahars (mudflows) that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace
Population
total: 49,842,298 (2025 est.) male: 24,320,959 female: 25,521,339
Ethnic groups
Mestizo and White 87.6%, Afro-Colombian (includes Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 6.8%, Indigenous 4.3%, unspecified 1.4% (2018 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official) 98.9%, indigenous 1%, Portuguese 0.1%; 65 indigenous languages exist (2023 est.) major-language sample(s): La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de informaci n b sica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 63.6%, Protestant 17.2% (Evangelical 16.7%, Adventist 0.3%, other Protestant 0.2%), Jehovah's Witness 0.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 0.1%, other 0.3%, believer, 0.2%. agnostic 1%, atheist 1%, none 14.2%, unspecified 1.8% (2023 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation from timber exploitation in the Amazon and the Choc region; soil erosion; soil and water pollution from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Bogot geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: originally named Santa Fe de Bacat in 1538, after the Chibcha people's nearby settlement of Bacat ; the name was later corrupted to Bogot
Executive branch
chief of state: President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 2022) head of government: President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a single 4-year term most recent election date: 29 May 2022, with a runoff held on 19 June 2022 election results: 2022: Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (PHxC) 40.3%, Rodolfo HERN NDEZ Su rez (LIGA) 28.2%, Federico GUTI RREZ Zuluaga (Team for Colombia / CREEMOS) 23.9%, other 7.6%; percent of vote in second round - Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego 50.4%, Rodolfo HERN NDEZ Suarez 47.3%, blank 2.3% 2018: Iv n DUQUE M rquez elected president in second round; percent of vote - Iv n DUQUE M rquez (CD) 54%, Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (Humane Colombia) 41.8%, other/blank/invalid 4.2% expected date of next election: 31 May 2026 note 1: the president is both chief of state and head of government note 2: reforms in 2015 eliminated presidential reelection
Legislative branch
legislature name: Congress (Congreso) legislative structure: bicameral
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$978.592 billion (2024 est.) $961.82 billion (2023 est.) $955.016 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$18,500 (2024 est.) $18,400 (2023 est.) $18,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
6.6% (2024 est.) 11.7% (2023 est.) 10.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
USA 27%, Panama 9%, India 5%, China 5%, Netherlands 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
USA 26%, China 22%, Brazil 6%, Mexico 5%, Germany 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Military Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Militares de Colombia ) : National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Colombian Aerospace Force (Fuerza Aeroespacial Colombiana, FAC), Colombian Navy (Armada de Colombia; includes Coast Guard); National Police of Colombia (Policia Nacional de Colombia, PNC) (2025) note: the PNC is a civilian force under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense
Military expenditures
3.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 3% of GDP (2023 est.) 3% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)