Colombia: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Colombia — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
49,648,685
#29 of 197 countries
Area
1,138,910 km²
#27 of 248 countries
Density
43.6 / km²
#173 of 245 countries

Colombia has a population of 49,648,685 spread across 1,138,910 km², giving it an average density of 43.6 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
33.1
Life Expectancy
74.9 yrs
Literacy Rate
95.3%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Colombia is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 33% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Upper middle income
GDP per Capita
$7,001
Cost of Living
33% of US
Inflation
11.7%
Inequality
53.9
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$18,500
Unemployment
9.7%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 5.1% of Colombia's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism Revenue
$1,959,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
5.1%
Outbound Tourists
1,275,000
Air Passengers
42,399,044
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Colombia has 2.54 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
2.54/1k
Hospital Beds
1.7/1k
Health Spend
$644/person
Infant Mortality
10.9/1k
Immunization
93%
Safe Drinking Water
97.1%
Basic Sanitation
96.6%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Colombia, 77% of the population uses the internet — WiFi is available in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 167 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
77.3%
Mobile Subs
167/100
Broadband
17.0/100
Electricity Access
98.7%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data