Colombia

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.

land

1,038,700 sq km

note

note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank

total

1,138,910 sq km

water

100,210 sq km

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)

highest point

Pico Cristobal Colon 5,730 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

mean elevation

593 m

4 00 N, 72 00 W

only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

10,900 sq km (2012)

border countries

Brazil 1,790 km; Ecuador 708 km; Panama 339 km; Peru 1,494 km; Venezuela 2,341 km

total

6,672 km

agricultural land

37.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 1.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.6% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 34.5% (2018 est.)

forest

54.4% (2018 est.)

other

8.1% (2018 est.)

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama

Amazon Basin

Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 kmnote – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)

South America

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughtsvolcanism: Galeras (4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; 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; additionally, 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

petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower

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

flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos)

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)

beer

3.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

4.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

14.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

3.7% (2015/16)

81% (2015/16)

9% of GDP (2020)

55.3% (2023 est.)

8 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just below replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and almost one-third of the population lives below the poverty line. Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee outflows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; the United States and, until recently, Venezuela have been the main host countries.  Emigration to Spain picked up in the 1990s because of its economic growth, but this flow has since diminished because of Spain’s ailing economy and high unemployment. Venezuela’s political and economic crisis since 2015 has prompted many Colombians to return home.  Forced displacement continues to be prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected.  Even with the Colombian Government’s December 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the risk of displacement remains as other rebel groups fill the void left by the FARC.  As of April 2023, almost 6.9 million people were internally displaced in Colombia. This estimate may undercount actual numbers because many internally displaced persons are not registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world’s highest levels of forced disappearances. The Colombian Truth Commission estimated than nearly 122,000 people were the victims of forced disappearances during the countries five-decade-long armed conflict—including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones. Because of political violence and economic problems, Colombia received limited numbers of immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly from the Middle East, Europe, and Japan.  More recently, growth in the oil, mining, and manufacturing sectors has attracted increased labor migration; the primary source countries are Venezuela, the US, Mexico, and Argentina.  Colombia has also become a transit area for illegal migrants from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean – especially Haiti and Cuba – who are en route to the US or Canada.  Between 2016 and October 2022, Colombia was host to the largest number of Venezuelan refugees and migrants, totaling almost 2.9 million. Ecuadorian migrants also go to Colombia, many of them attempting to transit the dense and dangerous jungles of the Darien Gap to enter Panama and head onward to the US.

elderly dependency ratio

12.5

potential support ratio

8 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

43.5

youth dependency ratio

31

improved: rural

rural: 87.5% of population

improved: total

total: 97.7% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 12.5% of population

unimproved: total

total: 2.3% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

4.9% of GDP (2020 est.)

Mestizo and White 87.6%, Afro-Colombian (includes Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 6.8%, Indigenous 4.3%, unspecified 1.4% (2018 est.)

0.95 (2024 est.)

1.7 beds/1,000 population (2018)

female

10.2 deaths/1,000 live births

male

13.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

11.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 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 información básica. (Spanish)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

female

78.7 years

male

71.3 years

total population

74.9 years (2024 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

95.9% (2020)

male

95.4%

total population

95.6%

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)

75 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

female

34 years

male

31.5 years

total

32.7 years (2024 est.)

21.7 years (2015 est.)

note

note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

adjective

Colombian

noun

Colombian(s)

-2.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

22.3% (2016)

2.33 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

female

25,381,986 (2024 est.)

male

24,206,371

total

49,588,357

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

0.48% (2024 est.)

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.)

improved: rural

rural: 87.7% of population

improved: total

total: 97% of population

improved: urban

urban: 99.1% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 12.3% of population

unimproved: total

total: 3% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0.9% of population

female

15 years (2020)

male

14 years

total

14 years

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

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

female

4.6% (2020 est.)

male

12.4% (2020 est.)

total

8.5% (2020 est.)

1.94 children born/woman (2024 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

82.4% of total population (2023)

32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, Archipielago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina (colloquially San Andres y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada

etymology

originally referred to as "Bacata," meaning "enclosure outside of the farm fields," by the indigenous Muisca

geographic coordinates

4 36 N, 74 05 W

name

Bogotá

time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

amendments

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; amended many times, last in 2020

history

several previous; latest promulgated 4 July 1991

conventional long form

Republic of Colombia

conventional short form

Colombia

etymology

the country is named after explorer Christopher COLUMBUS

local long form

República de Colombia

local short form

Colombia

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Francisco L. PALMIERI (since 1 June 2022)

email address and website

ACSBogota@state.govhttps://co.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Carrera 45, No. 24B-27, Bogota

FAX

[57] (601) 275-4600

mailing address

3030 Bogota Place, Washington DC  20521-3030

telephone

[57] (601) 275-2000

chancery

1724 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Daniel GARCÍA-PEÑA JARAMILLO (since 18 September 2024)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark (NJ), Orlando, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

email address and website

eestadosunidos@cancilleria.gov.cohttps://www.colombiaemb.org/

FAX

[1] (202) 232-8643

telephone

[1] (202) 387-8338

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 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%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term; election last held on 29 May 2022 with a runoff held on 19 June 2022 (next to be held on 31 May 2026); note - political reform in 2015 eliminated presidential reelection

head of government

President Gustavo Francisco PETRO Urrego (since 7 August 2022)

note

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity

note

note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

presidential republic

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

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

civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes

description

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of:Senate or Senado (108 seats; 100 members elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote, 2 members elected in a special nationwide constituency for indigenous communities, 5 members of the Commons political party, formerly the People's Alternative Revolutionary Force (FARC), for 2 legislative terms only: 2018-2022 and 2022-2026 as per the 2016 peace accord, and 1 seat reserved for the runner-up presidential candidate in the recent election; all members serve 4-year terms) Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (188 seats; 162 members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote, 2 members elected in a special nationwide constituency for Afro-Colombians, 1 member elected by Colombians residing abroad, 1 member elected in a special nationwide constituency for the indigenous communities, 5 members of the Commons political party for two legislative terms only: 2018-2022 and 2022-2026 as per the 2016 peace accord, 16 seats for rural conflict victims for two legislative terms only: 2022-2026 and 2026-2030, and 1 seat reserved for the runner-up vice presidential candidate in the recent election; all members serve 4-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party/coalition - PHxC 16.9%, PC 13.1%, PL 12.4%, Green Alliance and Center Hope Coalition 11.5%, CD 11.4%, CR 9.4%, U Party 8.8%, MIRA–Colombia Free and Just Coalition 3.4%, other 13.1%; seats by party/coalition - PHxC- 20, PC 15, PL 14, Green Alliance and Center Hope Coalition 13, CD 13, CR 11, U Party 10, MIRA–Colombia Free and Just Coalition 4; composition - men 73, women 33, percentage women 31.1%Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition- PHxC 17.6%, PL 14%, PC 12.4%, CD 10.2% U Party 8.6%, CR 7.9%, Green Alliance 6.5%, others 22.4%; seats by party/coalition - PL 32,  PHxC 27, CP 25, CD 16, CR 16, U Party 15, Green Alliance and Center Hope Coalition 11, others 24; composition - men 133, women 54, percentage women 28.9%; total Congress percentage women 29.7%

elections

Senate - last held on 13 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2026)Chamber of Representatives - last held on 13 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2026)

lyrics/music

Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI

name

"Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)

note

note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ

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)

total World Heritage Sites

9 (6 cultural, 2 natural, 1 mixed)

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

Andean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, red

Alternative Democratic Pole or PDACitizens 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 PCDemocratic Center Party or CDFair 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 ColombiaIndependent Movement of Absolute Renovation or MIRALeague of Anti-Corruption Rulers or LIGALiberal Party or PLPeople's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARCRadical Change or CRTeam 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 PartyWe Believe Colombia or CREEMOS

note

note:  Colombia has numerous smaller political parties and movements

18 years of age; universal

sugarcane, oil palm fruit, milk, rice, potatoes, bananas, plantains, maize, chicken, avocados (2022)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

on alcohol and tobacco

3.5% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

on food

18.5% of household expenditures (2022 est.)

expenditures

$113.035 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

revenues

$98.462 billion (2022 est.)

Fitch rating

BBB- (2020)

Moody's rating

Baa2 (2014)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Standard & Poors rating

BBB- (2017)

Current account balance 2021

-$17.956 billion (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$21.367 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

-$9.715 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external 2022

$97.915 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

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

Currency

Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2019

3,281.622 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

3,693.276 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

3,744.244 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

4,256.194 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

4,325.955 (2023 est.)

Exports 2021

$50.907 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$73.06 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$67.762 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

crude petroleum, coal, coffee, refined petroleum, gold (2022)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

US 26%, Panama 10%, Netherlands 6%, India 4%, Brazil 4% (2022)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

exports of goods and services

17.8% (2023 est.)

government consumption

14.6% (2023 est.)

household consumption

77.5% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-22.7% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

17.6% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories

-4.8% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

agriculture

8.7% (2023 est.)

industry

24.5% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

services

56.9% (2023 est.)

$363.54 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022

54.8 (2022 est.)

note

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

highest 10%

43.5% (2022 est.)

lowest 10%

1% (2022 est.)

note

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Imports 2021

$70.914 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$89.649 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$75.983 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, corn, packaged medicine (2022)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

US 26%, China 25%, Brazil 7%, Mexico 5%, Germany 3% (2022)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

-1.95% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

3.5% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

10.18% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

11.74% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

26.003 million (2023 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

36.6% (2022 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

note

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Public debt 2022

70.14% of GDP (2022 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$906.034 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$972.073 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$978.024 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2021

10.8% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

7.29% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

0.61% (2023 est.)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$17,600 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$18,700 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$18,800 (2023 est.)

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2021

2.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

2.74% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

2.78% of GDP (2023 est.)

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$58.019 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$56.704 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$59.041 billion (2023 est.)

15.28% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

13.9% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

10.55% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

9.57% (2023 est.)

female

23.7% (2023 est.)

male

16.1% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

total

19.3% (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

6.507 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from consumed natural gas

19.932 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

43.723 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total emissions

70.163 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

consumption

7.88 million metric tons (2022 est.)

exports

60.923 million metric tons (2022 est.)

imports

800 metric tons (2022 est.)

production

58.747 million metric tons (2022 est.)

proven reserves

4.554 billion metric tons (2022 est.)

consumption

80.936 billion kWh (2022 est.)

exports

48.176 million kWh (2022 est.)

imports

479 million kWh (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity

18.896 million kW (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

4.69 billion kWh (2022 est.)

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

biomass and waste

2.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

fossil fuels

28.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity

68.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

solar

0.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

wind

0.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Total energy consumption per capita 2022

25.8 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

consumption

11.451 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

imports

161.491 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

production

11.29 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

proven reserves

87.782 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

2.036 billion barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

320,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

total petroleum production

800,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

15 (2020 est.)

total

7,764,772 (2020 est.)

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)

.co

percent of population

73% (2021 est.)

total

37.96 million (2021 est.)

domestic

fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is 150 per 100 persons (2021)

general assessment

the telecom sector had a solid year thanks to positive performances in the fixed-line broadband, mobile broadband, and mobile voice and data markets; the fixed-line penetration remained stable by the end of 2020, though began to increase into 2021 as a result of the particular demands on households resulting from government measures associated with addressing the pandemic; the mobile market reached a penetration rate of 136% (an increase of over three percentage points on 2019) and managed to keep the same upward growth trajectory that it has sustained over the last ten years; the fixed-line broadband market also expanded, with the number of subscribers increasing 11.4%, and with revenue increasing 9.9% thanks to increased data usage as many customers were forced to work or study from home during the year; the mobile broadband market was the standout performer in 2020, with a 13% increase in the number of subscribers year-on-year, the penetration rate is relatively low compared to other Latin American countries; most significant of all was the surge in mobile broadband traffic a 51% increase over the previous year (2022)

international

country code - 57; landing points for the SAC, Maya-1, SAIT, ACROS, AMX-1, CFX-1, PCCS, Deep Blue Cable, Globe Net, PAN-AM, SAm-1 submarine cable systems providing links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

15 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

7.588 million (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

156 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

80.812 million (2022 est.)

662 (2024)

HJ, HK

55 (2024)

by type

general cargo 28, oil tanker 13, other 112

total

153 (2023)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

1,349,450,000 (2018) mt-km

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

33,704,037 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

157

number of registered air carriers

12 (2020)

4,991 km gas, 6,796 km oil, 3,429 km refined products (2013)

key ports

Barranquilla, Buenaventura, Cartagena, Covenas, El Bosque, Mamonal, Pozos Colorados, Puerto Bolivar, Puerto Prodeco, Santa Marta

medium

2

ports with oil terminals

10

size unknown

1

small

8

total ports

14 (2024)

very small

3

narrow gauge

1,991 km (2019) 0.914-m gauge

standard gauge

150 km (2019) 1.435-m gauge

total

2,141 km (2019)

total

206,102 km (2022)

24,725 km (2019) (18,225 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,092 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges)

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 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); these operations are challenged by difficult topography and long and porous land bordersthe Colombian Government signed a peace agreement with the FARC in 2016, but some former members (known as dissidents) have returned to fighting (note - these dissident groups include the US-designated foreign terrorist groups Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army or FARC-EP and Segunda Marquetalia); since 2017, the Colombian Government has had periodic cease-fire and peace discussions with ELN and the FARC dissidents, including a 6-month cease-fire with the ELN in 2023-2024the military is also focused on the security challenges posed by its neighbor, Venezuela, where instability has attracted narcotics traffickers, and both the ELN and FARC dissidents operate openly; Colombia shares a 1,370-mile (2,200 km) border with Venezuela; ELN and FARC insurgents have also used neighboring Ecuador to rest, resupply, and shelterColombia 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 ties with some regional neighbors, such as Argentina, 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 (2024)

Military Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Militares de Colombia): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC; includes Coast Guard and marines), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC); Colombian National Police (PNC) (2024)

note

note: the PNC is a civilian force that is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense

information varies; approximately 265,000 active troops (200,000 Army; 50,000 Navy, including about 20,000 marines; 15,000 Air Force); approximately 175,000 National Police (2023)

275 Egypt (MFO) (2024)

the military's inventory includes a wide mix of equipment from a variety of suppliers, including Canada, Germany, Israel, South Korea, and especially the US; Colombia's defense industry is active in producing air, land, and naval platforms (2024)

Military Expenditures 2019

3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

3% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

3% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

2.9% of GDP (2023 est.)

18-24 years of age for compulsory (men) and voluntary (men and women) military 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 (2024)

note

note: the Colombian military first incorporated women in 1976 in administrative positions; women were incorporated as non-commissioned officers in 1983 and officers in 2009; as of 2023, about 6,000 women served in the uniformed military while more than 30,000 served in the National Police

Colombia is the world’s top cocaine producer and exporter; is a source of heroin and marijuana; coca cultivation estimated at 234,000 hectares (ha) in 2021; pure cocaine production decreased to 972 metric tons in 2021; a major source of precursor or essential chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics  

IDPs

6,863,334 (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985) (2023)

refugees (country of origin)

2,875,743 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2023)

stateless persons

11 (2022)

Colombian Space Commission (Comision Colombiana Del Espacio, CCE; established 2006); Air and Space Operations Command (Colombian military); note – the Colombian Space Agency (Agencia Espacial Del Colombia, AEC) is a private, non-profit agency established in 2017 (2024)

has a small program focused on acquiring satellites, particularly remote sensing (RS) satellites; operates satellites and produces nanosatellites; researches other space technologies, including telecommunications, satellite navigation, and astronautics; has relations 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 (ALCE) (2024)

note

note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide

National Liberation Army (ELN); Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia - People's Army (FARC-EP); Segunda Marquetalia

note

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

carbon dioxide emissions

97.81 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

81.52 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

14.04 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

deforestation resulting from timber exploitation in the jungles of the Amazon and the region of Chocó; illicit drug crops grown by peasants in the national parks; soil erosion; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions

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

agricultural land

37.5% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 1.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.6% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 34.5% (2018 est.)

forest

54.4% (2018 est.)

other

8.1% (2018 est.)

Amazon Basin

Rio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 kmnote – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)

0.75% of GDP (2018 est.)

0.1% of GDP (2018 est.)

2.36 trillion cubic meters (2020 est.)

agricultural

25.04 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial

360 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal

3.72 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.01% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

82.4% of total population (2023)

municipal solid waste generated annually

12,150,120 tons (2011 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually

2,089,821 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

17.2% (2013 est.)