Quick facts
Colombia population overview
Colombia is the 2nd most populous of 14 countries and territories in South America. The United Nations put the population at 53,689,057 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1,352 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 681,851 births (12.7 per 1,000 people) and 300,659 deaths (5.6 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 112,747 people. The infant mortality rate is 9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 15,606,209 in 1960 to 53,425,635 in 2025 — a change of +242.3%, or +1.9% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 33 years; life expectancy at birth is 78.3 years; women have on average 1.6 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 20% of residents are under 15 and 10.2% are 65 or older (2025); 78.8% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Bogota. Colombia covers 1,140,619 km², giving a population density of about 47.4 people per km². GDP was $457.41B in 2025 — about $8,562 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Colombia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 54,082,960 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 53,689,057 |
| World rank | #28 of 238 |
| Rank in South America | #2 of 14 |
| Share of world population | 0.7% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.9% |
| Births per year est. | 681,851 |
| Deaths per year est. | 300,659 |
| Net migration per year est. | +112,747 |
| Birth rate | 12.7 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 97.4 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 33 years |
| Life expectancy | 78.3 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 78.8% |
| Surface area 2023 | 1,140,619 km² |
| Population density | 47.4 per km² |
| Capital | Bogota |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $457.41B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $8,562 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Colombia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 54,082,960 | – | – |
| 2025 | 53,425,635 | +539,272 | +1% |
| 2024 | 52,886,363 | +565,211 | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 52,321,152 | +583,208 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | 51,737,944 | +549,771 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 51,188,173 | +558,176 | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 50,629,997 | +3,660,057 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 46,969,940 | +2,192,621 | +1% |
| 2010 | 44,777,319 | +2,648,342 | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 42,128,977 | +3,039,043 | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 39,089,934 | +3,285,272 | +1.8% |
| 1995 | 35,804,662 | +3,364,593 | +2% |
| 1990 | 32,440,069 | +3,171,599 | +2.1% |
| 1985 | 29,268,470 | +3,163,972 | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 26,104,498 | +2,759,854 | +2.3% |
| 1975 | 23,344,644 | +2,532,862 | +2.3% |
| 1970 | 20,811,782 | +2,642,732 | +2.8% |
| 1965 | 18,169,050 | +2,562,841 | +3.1% |
| 1960 | 15,606,209 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Colombia
Population over time
- From 15,606,209 in 1960 to 54,082,960 today — up 246.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 77.9 years (2024), up 21.3 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.6 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 13.3 births vs 5.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 7.8 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 20% of the population is under 15 and 10.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 95.08 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 1.8 t in 2024, vs 1.39 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 840.6 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), up 10.8% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 29.7% of final energy in 2021 (-8.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 52.8% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 58.5% to 52.8% since 1990 — roughly 65,940 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 78.8% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 48.1% in 1960 (+30.6 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1962.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.1% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 41,459 m³ in 2022, down 68.9% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $457.41B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 55.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $8,562 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 8.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 5.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 79.3% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 174.1 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Colombia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Colombia in 2026?
As of October 2026, Colombia has an estimated population of 54,082,960. The United Nations estimated 53,689,057 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Colombia growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.9% per year — roughly 1,352 more people every day. Each year there are about 681,851 births and 300,659 deaths, with net migration of +112,747.
What is the population density of Colombia?
About 47.4 people per square kilometre: 54,082,960 people living on 1,140,619 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Colombia?
The median age is 33 years, and life expectancy at birth is 78.3 years. 20% of the population is under 15 and 10.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Colombia rank by population?
Colombia is the 28th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 2nd in South America, with 0.7% of the global population.
How has the population of Colombia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 15,606,209; by 2025 it had grown to 53,425,635 (+242.3%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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South KoreaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.9%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.