American Language 250

Standard American Almanac

World · permanent entity record · CO

Flag of Colombia

Colombia

Thirty-second orientation

Colombia at a glance

Capital
Bogotá
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population
53,425,635
World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area
1,138,910 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym
noun: Colombian(s); adjective: Colombian
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages
Spanish (official) 98.9%, indigenous 1%, Portuguese 0.1%; 65 indigenous languages exist (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Colombia through time

  1. Admitted to the United Nations

    Colombia became a member of the United Nations.

    United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

FieldMaintained Almanac valueFinal CIA profile
Population53,425,635World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025total: 49,842,298 (2025 est.) male: 24,320,959 female: 25,521,339CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product
$457.4 billion
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person
$8,562
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth
77.9 years
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population
78.8%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity
98.9%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet
79.3%
World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital
Bogotá
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area
1,138,910 sq km
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population
53,425,635
World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency
Colombian pesos (COP)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages
Spanish (official) 98.9%, indigenous 1%, Portuguese 0.1%; 65 indigenous languages exist (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym
noun: Colombian(s); adjective: Colombian
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
UN membership
1945-11-05
United Nations, Member States ·
Continent
South America
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “South America.”
Coastline
3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
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.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors
yellow, blue, red
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol
Andean condor
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point
Pico Cristobal Colon · 18,799 ft (5,730 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point
Pacific Ocean · 0 ft (0 m)
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership
Not a member
NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership
Not a member
BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields
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.
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography20 fields
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geographic coordinates
4 00 N, 72 00 W
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Map references
South America
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Area - comparative
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land boundaries
total: 6,672 km border countries (5): Brazil 1,790 km; Ecuador 708 km; Panama 339 km; Peru 1,494 km; Venezuela 2,341 km
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coastline
3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrain
flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Elevation
highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,730 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 593 m
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 36.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 32% (2023 est.) forest: 53.8% (2023 est.) other: 9.7% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Irrigated land
6,506 sq km (2013)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major rivers (by length in km)
Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major aquifers
Amazon Basin
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
the majority of people live in the north and west, where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are found; the vast grasslands of the llanos to the south and east, which make up approximately 60% of the country, are sparsely populated
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography - note
only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society36 fields
Population
total: 49,842,298 (2025 est.) male: 24,320,959 female: 25,521,339
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Nationality
noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ethnic groups
Mestizo and White 87.6%, Afro-Colombian (includes Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 6.8%, Indigenous 4.3%, unspecified 1.4% (2018 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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 información básica. (Spanish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Age structure
0-14 years: 22.3% (male 5,643,995/female 5,394,147) 15-64 years: 66.5% (male 16,127,377/female 16,859,161) 65 years and over: 11.2% (2024 est.) (male 2,434,999/female 3,128,678)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 50.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 33.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 17.5 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 5.7 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Median age
total: 33.1 years (2025 est.) male: 31.5 years female: 34 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population growth rate
0.54% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Birth rate
14.73 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Death rate
6.96 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Net migration rate
-2.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population distribution
the majority of people live in the north and west, where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are found; the vast grasslands of the llanos to the south and east, which make up approximately 60% of the country, are sparsely populated
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Major urban areas - population
11.508 million BOGOTA (capital), 4.102 million Medellin, 2.864 million Cali, 2.349 million Barranquilla, 1.381 million Bucaramanga, 1.088 million Cartagena (2023)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Mother's mean age at first birth
21.7 years (2015 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Maternal mortality ratio
59 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Infant mortality rate
total: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 13.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.2 deaths/1,000 live births
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 74.9 years (2024 est.) male: 71.3 years female: 78.7 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total fertility rate
1.94 children born/woman (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gross reproduction rate
0.94 (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Drinking water source
urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 86.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 97.5% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 13.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 2.5% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Health expenditure
9% of GDP (2021) 15.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Physician density
2.54 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Hospital bed density
1.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Sanitation facility access
urban: 98.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 88.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 97% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 11.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 3% of population (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
22.3% (2016)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 4.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Tobacco use
total: 7.6% (2025 est.) male: 11.2% (2025 est.) female: 4.1% (2025 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.7% (2016 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
50.9% (2018 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 4.9% (2015) women married by age 18: 23.4% (2015) men married by age 18: 6.7% (2015)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Education expenditure
5.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Literacy
total population: 95.3% (2024 est.) male: 95% (2024 est.) female: 95.7% (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 14 years (2022 est.) male: 14 years (2022 est.) female: 15 years (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment11 fields
Environmental issues
deforestation from timber exploitation in the Amazon and the Chocó region; soil erosion; soil and water pollution from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International environmental agreements
party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Climate
tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Land use
agricultural land: 36.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 32% (2023 est.) forest: 53.8% (2023 est.) other: 9.7% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Urbanization
urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Carbon dioxide emissions
85.878 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 15.463 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 49.727 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 20.688 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Particulate matter emissions
13.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Methane emissions
energy: 814.5 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 1,791.5 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 600.8 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 18.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 12.15 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.5% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 3.405 billion cubic meters (2022) industrial: 1.033 billion cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 20.46 billion cubic meters (2022)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Total renewable water resources
2.36 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government25 fields
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: República de Colombia local short form: Colombia etymology: named after explorer Christopher COLUMBUS
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government type
presidential republic
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Capital
name: Bogotá 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 Bacatá in 1538, after the Chibcha people's nearby settlement of Bacatá; the name was later corrupted to Bogotá
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Administrative divisions
32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlántico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyacá, Caldas, Caquetá, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainía, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindío, Risaralda, Archipiélago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina (colloquially San Andres y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legal system
civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Constitution
history: several previous; latest promulgated 4 July 1991 amendment process: proposed by the government, by Congress, by a constituent assembly, or by public petition; passage requires a majority vote by Congress in each of two consecutive sessions; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on citizen rights, guarantees, and duties also require approval in a referendum by over one half of voters and participation of over one fourth of citizens registered to vote
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Colombia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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 HERNÁNDEZ Suárez (LIGA) 28.2%, Federico GUTIÉRREZ Zuluaga (Team for Colombia / CREEMOS) 23.9%, other 7.6%; percent of vote in second round - Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego 50.4%, Rodolfo HERNÁNDEZ Suarez 47.3%, blank 2.3% 2018: Iván DUQUE Márquez elected president in second round; percent of vote - Iván DUQUE Márquez (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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch
legislature name: Congress (Congreso) legislative structure: bicameral
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name: House of Representatives (Cámara de Representantes) number of seats: 187 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 3/13/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Liberal Party (PL) (32); Historic Pact (27); Conservative Party (CP) (25); Democratic Centre (CD) (16); Radical Change (CR) (16); Union Party for the People “Partido de la U” (15); Green Alliance - Hope Centre coalition (11); Other (14) percentage of women in chamber: 29.4% expected date of next election: March 2026
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name: Senate (Senado de la República) number of seats: 108 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 3/13/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Historic Pact (20); Conservative Party (CP) (15); Liberal Party (PL) (14); Green Alliance - Hope Centre coalition (13); Democratic Centre (CD) (13); Radical Change (CR) (11); Union Party for the People “Partido de la U” (10); Other (4) percentage of women in chamber: 31.4% expected date of next election: March 2026
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of the Civil-Agrarian and Labor Chambers each with 7 judges, and the Penal Chamber with 9 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 magistrates); Council of State (consists of 27 judges); Superior Judiciary Council (consists of 13 magistrates) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Supreme Court members from candidates submitted by the Superior Judiciary Council; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Constitutional Court magistrates - nominated by the president, by the Supreme Court, and elected by the Senate; judges elected for individual 8-year terms; Council of State members appointed by the State Council plenary from lists nominated by the Superior Judiciary Council subordinate courts: Superior Tribunals (appellate courts for each of the judicial districts); regional courts; civil municipal courts; Superior Military Tribunal; first instance administrative courts
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Political parties
Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA Citizens Option (Opcion Ciudadana) or OC (formerly known as the National Integration Party or PIN) The Commons (formerly People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC) Conservative Party or PC Democratic Center Party or CD Fair and Free Colombia (Colombia Justa Libres) Green Alliance Historic Pact for Colombia or PHxC (coalition composed of several left-leaning political parties and social movements) Humane Colombia Independent Movement of Absolute Renovation or MIRA League of Anti-Corruption Rulers or LIGA Liberal Party or PL People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC Radical Change or CR Team for Colombia - also known as the Experience Coalition or Coalition of the Regions (coalition composed of center-right and right-wing parties) Union Party for the People or U Party We Believe Colombia or CREEMOS note: Colombia has numerous smaller political parties and movements
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel GARCÍA-PEÑA JARAMILLO (since 18 September 2024) chancery: 1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 email address and website: eestadosunidos@cancilleria.gov.co https://www.colombiaemb.org/ consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark (NJ), Orlando, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires John McNAMARA (since 1 February 2025) embassy: Carrera 45, No. 24B-27, Bogota mailing address: 3030 Bogota Place, Washington DC 20521-3030 telephone: [57] (601) 275-2000 FAX: [57] (601) 275-4600 email address and website: ACSBogota@state.gov https://co.usembassy.gov/
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
International organization participation
ACS, BCIE, BIS, CABEI, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance, PCA, PROSUR, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Independence
20 July 1810 (from Spain)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National holiday
Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Flag
description: three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red meaning: various interpretations of the colors exist; one has yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the sea, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; another describes them as representing sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); another has the colors standing for liberty, equality, and fraternity note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is wider and has the Ecuadorian coat of arms in the center
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National symbol(s)
Andean condor
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National color(s)
yellow, blue, red
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National anthem(s)
title: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia) lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI history: adopted 1920; the anthem comes from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ; the anthem always starts with the chorus
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 9 (6 cultural, 2 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Chiribiquete National Park (m); Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (c); Historic Center of Santa Cruz de Mompox (c); Los Katíos National Park (n); Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary (n); Tierradentro National Archeological Park (c); San Agustín Archaeological Park (c); Colonial Cartagena (c); Qhapaq Ñan/Andean Road System (c)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy32 fields
Economic overview
prior to COVID-19, one of the most consistent growth economies; declining poverty; large stimulus package has mitigated economic fallout, but delayed key infrastructure investments; successful inflation management; sound flexible exchange rate regime; domestic economy suffers from lack of trade integration and infrastructure
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP growth rate
1.7% (2024 est.) 0.7% (2023 est.) 7.3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Real GDP per capita
$18,500 (2024 est.) $18,400 (2023 est.) $18,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP (official exchange rate)
$418.542 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
6.6% (2024 est.) 11.7% (2023 est.) 10.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 9.3% (2024 est.) industry: 23.1% (2024 est.) services: 58.2% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 73.1% (2024 est.) government consumption: 14.7% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.5% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.6% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 16% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -20.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Agricultural products
sugarcane, oil palm fruit, milk, rice, plantains, potatoes, bananas, maize, chicken, avocados (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industries
textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Industrial production growth rate
-1.3% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Labor force
26.822 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Unemployment rate
9.7% (2024 est.) 9.6% (2023 est.) 10.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 19.8% (2024 est.) male: 16.5% (2024 est.) female: 24.3% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Population below poverty line
33% (2023 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
53.9 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Average household expenditures
on food: 20.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 3.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.1% (2023 est.) highest 10%: 42.7% (2023 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Remittances
2.8% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.7% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Budget
revenues: $116.49 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $123.966 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Public debt
71.3% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Taxes and other revenues
17.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Current account balance
-$7.412 billion (2024 est.) -$8.285 billion (2023 est.) -$20.879 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports
$68.866 billion (2024 est.) $68.674 billion (2023 est.) $73.514 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - partners
USA 27%, Panama 9%, India 5%, China 5%, Netherlands 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, coal, gold, coffee, refined petroleum (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports
$78.633 billion (2024 est.) $76.449 billion (2023 est.) $89.608 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - partners
USA 26%, China 22%, Brazil 6%, Mexico 5%, Germany 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, aircraft, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$61.898 billion (2024 est.) $59.041 billion (2023 est.) $56.704 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Debt - external
$108.027 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Exchange rates
Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 4,074.434 (2024 est.) 4,325.955 (2023 est.) 4,256.194 (2022 est.) 3,744.244 (2021 est.) 3,693.276 (2020 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy7 fields
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 21.053 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 82.309 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 1.293 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 407.788 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 7.232 billion kWh (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 34% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 62.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 2.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Coal
production: 52.376 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 9.72 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 46.425 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 1,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 4.554 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 800,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 374,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2.036 billion barrels (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Natural gas
production: 10.927 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 11.885 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 958.724 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 87.782 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy consumption per capita
29.305 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 6.32 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 92.1 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 174 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadcast media
combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2019)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet country code
.co
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Internet users
percent of population: 77% (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 8.91 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2023 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation6 fields
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
HJ, HK
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Airports
661 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Heliports
57 (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Railways
total: 2,141 km (2019) standard gauge: 150 km (2019) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 1,991 km (2019) 0.914-m gauge
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Merchant marine
total: 153 (2023) by type: general cargo 28, oil tanker 13, other 112
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Ports
total ports: 14 (2024) large: 0 medium: 2 small: 8 very small: 3 size unknown: 1 ports with oil terminals: 10 key ports: Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Covenas, El Bosque, Mamonal, Pozos Colorados, Puerto Bolivar, Puerto Prodeco, Santa Marta
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security7 fields
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
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
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.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 260,000 active Military Forces; approximately 150,000 National Police (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported armaments from a variety of suppliers, including Brazil, Canada, Germany, Israel, South Korea, and the US; Colombia's defense industry is active in producing air, land, and naval platforms (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military service age and obligation
18-24 years of age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military (and police) service; conscript service obligation is 18 months or 12 months for those with a college degree; conscripted soldiers reportedly include regular soldiers (conscripts without a high school degree), drafted high school graduates (bachilleres), and rural (campesino) soldiers who serve in their home regions (2025) note: women comprised a little more than 3% of the active military in 2024
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military deployments
275 Egypt (MFO) (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military - note
the Colombian military is responsible for defending and maintaining the country’s independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity but also has a considerable internal security role, which includes protecting the civilian population, as well as private and state-owned assets, and ensuring a secure environment; the military’s primary focus is the conduct of counterinsurgency and counter-narcotics operations against domestic illegal armed groups, including drug traffickers, several factions of the former Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) terrorist group, and the insurgent/terrorist group National Liberation Army (ELN) border security is also a focus, particularly with Venezuela where economic and political instability has brought refugees and attracted narcotics trafficking and other cross-border crime; both the ELN and FARC dissidents operate openly in the border region; ELN and FARC insurgents have also used neighboring Ecuador to rest, resupply, and shelter Colombia has close security ties with the US, including joint training, military assistance, and designation in 2022 as a Major Non-NATO Ally, which provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense, trade, and security cooperation; it also has close security ties with regional neighbors, such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru; Colombian military and security forces have training programs with their counterparts from a variety of countries, mostly those from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Space3 fields
Space agency/agencies
Colombian Space Commission (Comision Colombiana Del Espacio, CCE; established 2006) (2025) note 1: the Colombian military has an Air and Space Operations Command note 2: the Colombian Space Agency (Agencia Espacial Del Colombia, AEC) is a private, non-profit agency established in 2017
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Space program overview
has a small program focused on acquiring satellites, particularly remote sensing (RS) satellites; operates satellites and produces nanosatellites; researches other space technologies, including astronautics, satellite navigation, and telecommunications; works with a variety of foreign space agencies or commercial space industries, including those of Denmark, India, Russia, Sweden, the US, and some members of the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Key space-program milestones
2007 - first domestically produced technology-demonstration/remote-sensing (RS) nanosatellite (Libertad I) launched by Russia 2014 - second experimental RS nanosatellite (UAPSAT) launched by US 2018 - first RS satellite (FACSAT-1) for military use purchased from Denmark and launched by India 2022 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration 2023 - second RS satellite (FACSAT-2 or Chibiriquete) launched by US
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrorism1 fields
Terrorist group(s)
National Liberation Army (ELN); Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army (FARC-EP); Segunda Marquetalia (SM); Tren de Aragua (TdA) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues2 fields
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 30,611 (2024 est.) IDPs: 7,264,767 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 5 (2024 est.)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Illicit drugs
USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.