Colombia has a population of approximately 52 million people as of 2025, making it the second most populous country in South America after Brazil and roughly the 29th most populous nation in the world. Spread across northwestern South America, these 52 million Colombians make the country the most populous Spanish-speaking nation in the world after Mexico, and one of the most ethnically blended societies on the continent.
How Many People Live in Colombia?
The 2025 estimate of around 52 million reflects a country whose population has more than doubled since the 1970s, when it stood at about 22 million. To put 52 million in perspective, Colombia has slightly more inhabitants than Spain and South Korea, and a little fewer than Kenya. It accounts for roughly one in eight people living in South America.
Population is unevenly distributed. The Andean highlands and the Caribbean coast are densely settled, while the vast eastern plains (the Llanos) and the Amazon basin, which together cover more than half the national territory, are home to only a small fraction of the population. The result is an overall density of about 46 people per square kilometre, but with sharp concentrations in the western third of the country.
Population Growth and Trends
Colombia's population is still growing, but slowly, at an annual rate of roughly 0.5 percent. This is a dramatic slowdown from the explosive growth of the 1960s, when the rate approached 3 percent. The change has been driven by rapid urbanization, rising education levels among women, and wider access to family planning.
The total fertility rate has fallen to about 1.8 children per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. As a result, demographers expect Colombia's population to peak around the mid-2040s at roughly 57 million before beginning a gradual decline. Like much of Latin America, Colombia is entering a phase of population aging, with the share of older adults steadily rising.
One major recent factor has been migration from neighbouring Venezuela. Colombia has absorbed the largest share of people fleeing Venezuela's economic and political crisis, with close to 3 million Venezuelans now living in the country. This influx has reshaped local demographics, particularly in border regions and large cities.
Where Colombians Live: The Largest Cities
Colombia is a highly urbanized country, with more than 80 percent of its people living in cities and towns. Its three largest urban areas dominate the demographic map:
- Bogotá — The capital and largest city, perched at about 2,640 metres in the Andes, is home to roughly 8 million residents within the city limits and around 11 million across its metropolitan area. It is one of the largest cities in South America.
- Medellín — With about 4 million people in its metropolitan area, Medellín has transformed from a city once notorious for violence into a celebrated hub of innovation and urban design.
- Cali — Colombia's third city, with roughly 2.5 million metro residents, is known as the salsa capital of the world.
Other important population centres include Barranquilla and Cartagena on the Caribbean coast, each anchoring metro regions of well over a million people.
Demographics and Society
Colombia is one of Latin America's most ethnically mixed nations. Roughly half the population identifies as mestizo (mixed European and Indigenous ancestry), with significant White, Afro-Colombian, and Indigenous communities making up the remainder. This diversity is reflected in regional cultures, music, and cuisine.
Spanish is the official language and is spoken by virtually everyone, but around 65 Indigenous languages are also recognized and spoken across the country. Roman Catholicism remains the dominant religion, claiming roughly seven in ten Colombians, though Protestant and evangelical denominations have grown rapidly in recent decades.
The population is comparatively young, with a median age of about 32 years, though this figure is rising each year as fertility falls and life expectancy improves. For more on the country's geography, history, and culture, see our colombia country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Colombia in 2025?
Colombia's population in 2025 is estimated at approximately 52 million people. This makes it the second most populous country in South America after Brazil.
Is Colombia's population growing or shrinking?
It is still growing, but very slowly, at around 0.5 percent per year. With a fertility rate of about 1.8, below replacement level, the population is expected to peak near 57 million in the mid-2040s and then gradually decline.
What is the largest city in Colombia by population?
Bogotá, the capital, is by far the largest city, with roughly 8 million residents in the city proper and about 11 million in its wider metropolitan area.
What language do most people in Colombia speak?
Spanish is the official language and is spoken by nearly the entire population. In addition, about 65 Indigenous languages are recognized and used by Indigenous communities throughout the country.