Colombia

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 (2007)

Internet country code

.co

Internet users

total: 27,452,550 | percent of population: 58.1% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 25

Telephone system

general assessment: modern system in many respects with a nationwide microwave radio relay system, a domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations, and a fiber-optic network linking 50 cities; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services, however, infrastructure remains poor in small urban centers and rural areas | domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 120 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed-line services | international: country code - 57; multiple submarine cable systems provide 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) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 7,115,984 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 24

Telephones - mobile cellular

total: 58,684,924 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 124 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 28

Agriculture - products

coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; shrimp; forest products

Budget

revenues: $85.14 billion | expenditures: $95.28 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.3% of GDP (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99

Central bank discount rate

7.5% (31 December 2016) | 6.5% (31 December 2014) | country comparison to the world: 44

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.8% (31 December 2017 est.) | 14.65% (31 December 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Current account balance

-$11.7 billion (2017 est.) | -$12.24 billion (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Debt - external

$120.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $115 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 47

Distribution of family income - Gini index

53.5 (2014) | 56.9 (1996) | country comparison to the world: 10

Economy - overview

Colombia heavily depends on energy and mining exports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. Colombia is Latin America’s fourth largest oil producer and the world’s fourth largest coal producer, third largest coffee exporter, and second largest cut flowers exporter. Colombia’s economic development is hampered by inadequate infrastructure, poverty, narcotrafficking, and an uncertain security situation, in addition to dependence on primary commodities. | Colombia’s economy slowed in 2017 because of falling global oil prices and lower oil production due to insurgent attacks on pipeline infrastructure. Although real GDP growth averaged 4.7% during the past decade, it fell to an estimated 1.8% in 2017. Declining oil prices also have contributed to reduced government revenues. In 2016, oil revenue dropped below 4% of the federal budget and likely remained below 4% in 2017. A Western credit rating agency in December 2017 downgraded Colombia’s sovereign credit rating to BBB-, because of weaker-than-expected growth and increasing external debt. Colombia has struggled to address local referendums against foreign investment, which have slowed its expansion, especially in the oil and mining sectors. Colombia’s FDI declined by 3% to $10.2 billion between January and September 2017. | Colombia has signed or is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with more than a dozen countries; the US-Colombia FTA went into effect in May 2012. Colombia is a founding member of the Pacific Alliance—a regional trade block formed in 2012 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to promote regional trade and economic integration. The Colombian government took steps in 2017 to address several bilateral trade irritants with the US, including those on truck scrappage, distilled spirits, pharmaceuticals, ethanol imports, and labor rights. Colombia hopes to accede to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Exchange rates

Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - | 2,975.5 (2017 est.) | 3,055.3 (2016 est.) | 3,055.3 (2015 est.) | 2,001 (2014 est.) | 2,001.1 (2013 est.)

Exports

$36.79 billion (2017 est.) | $33.38 billion (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Exports - commodities

petroleum, coal, emeralds, coffee, nickel, cut flowers, bananas, apparel

Exports - partners

US 33.5%, Panama 6.3% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$307.5 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$712.5 billion (2017 est.) | $700.6 billion (2016 est.) | $687.2 billion (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars | country comparison to the world: 32

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 62.1% | government consumption: 18.2% | investment in fixed capital: 24.8% | investment in inventories: 0.2% | exports of goods and services: 14.2% | imports of goods and services: -19.4% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 7.4% | industry: 31.3% | services: 61.4% (2017 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,500 (2017 est.) | $14,400 (2016 est.) | $14,300 (2015 est.) | note: data are in 2017 dollars | country comparison to the world: 112

GDP - real growth rate

1.7% (2017 est.) | 2% (2016 est.) | 3.1% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

Gross national saving

21.7% of GDP (2017 est.) | 21% of GDP (2016 est.) | 20.3% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.1% | highest 10%: 42.2% (2014 est.)

Imports

$44.68 billion (2017 est.) | $43.24 billion (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 52

Imports - commodities

industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity

Imports - partners

US 26.4%, China 19.1%, Mexico 7.5%, Brazil 4.7% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-2.5% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.3% (2017 est.) | 7.5% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 193

Labor force

24.67 million (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 17% | industry: 21% | services: 62% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$85.96 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $146.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $202.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42

Population below poverty line

27.8% (2015 est.)

Public debt

53% of GDP (2017 est.) | 52% of GDP (2016 est.) | note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities | country comparison to the world: 94

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$46.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $46.18 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Stock of broad money

$167.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $136 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 51

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$55.32 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $51.82 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$178.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $164.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33

Stock of domestic credit

$162.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $153.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 49

Stock of narrow money

$36.63 billion (31 December 2017 est.) | $34.01 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60

Taxes and other revenues

27.7% of GDP (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104

Unemployment rate

9.3% (2017 est.) | 9.2% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 120

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

74 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 49

Crude oil - exports

681,900 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112

Crude oil - production

886,000 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 22

Crude oil - proved reserves

2.002 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 37

Electricity - consumption

57.6 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 45

Electricity - exports

460 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity - from fossil fuels

29.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

69% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128

Electricity - imports

45 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Electricity - installed generating capacity

16.66 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 49

Electricity - production

67.26 billion kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Electricity access

population without electricity: 1,200,000 | electrification - total population: 97% | electrification - urban areas: 100% | electrification - rural areas: 88% (2013)

Natural gas - consumption

18.82 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Natural gas - exports

400 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 45

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 110

Natural gas - production

11.91 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39

Natural gas - proved reserves

123.5 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 51

Refined petroleum products - consumption

345,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 40

Refined petroleum products - exports

83,920 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 44

Refined petroleum products - imports

95,790 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 59

Refined petroleum products - production

362,100 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 39

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 | country comparison to the world: 27

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate

tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Coastline

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

Elevation

mean elevation: 593 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m | highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,730 m | note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions

Environment - international agreements

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands | signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates

4 00 N, 72 00 W

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

10,900 sq km (2012)

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

Land use

agricultural land: 37.5% | arable land 1.4%; permanent crops 1.6%; permanent pasture 34.5% | forest: 54.4% | other: 8.1% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts | volcanism: 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

Natural resources

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

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

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

name: Bogota | geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W | time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

Constitution

several previous; latest promulgated 5 July 1991; amended many times, last in 2015 (2016)

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Colombia | conventional short form: Colombia | local long form: Republica de Colombia | local short form: Colombia | etymology: the country is named after explorer Christopher COLUMBUS

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Kevin WHITAKER (since 11 June 2014) | embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. | mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C. | telephone: [57] (1) 275-2000 | FAX: [57] (1) 275-4600

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Camilo REYES Rodriguez (since 21 July 2017) | chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 | FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 | consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark (NJ), Orlando, San Juan (Puerto Rico) | consulate(s): Boston, Chicago, San Francisco

Executive branch

chief of state: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Ret. Gen. Oscar Adolfo NARANJO Trujillo (since 30 March 2017); note - Vice President German VARGAS Lleras' resignation on 15 March 2017 became effective on 21 March 2017; the president is both chief of state and head of government | head of government: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Ret. Gen. Oscar Adolfo NARANJO Trujillo (since 30 March 2017) | cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president | elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 4-year term (beginning in 2018); election last held on 25 May 2014 with a runoff held on 15 June 2014 (next to be held on 27 May 2018) | election results: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (U Party) 51.0%, Oscar Ivan ZULUAGA (CD) 45.0%, other 4.0%

Flag description

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

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BCIE, BIS, 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, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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 31 members); 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

Legal system

civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes

Legislative branch

description: bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; 100 members elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation popular vote and 2 members elected in a special nationwide for indigenous communities to serve 4-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation constituency popular vote to serve 4-year terms) | elections: Senate - last held on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2018); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 9 March 2014 (next to be held in March 2018) | election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 21, CD 20, PC 18, PL 17, CR 9, PDA 5, Green Party 5, other 7; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PL 39, U Party 37, PC 27, CD 19, CR 16, Green Party 6, PDA 3, other 19

National anthem

name: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia) | lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI | note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ

National holiday

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

National symbol(s)

Andean condor; national colors: yellow, blue, red

Political parties and leaders

Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Clara LOPEZ] | Conservative Party or PC [David BARGUIL] | Democratic Center Party or CD [Alvaro URIBE Velez, Oscar Ivan ZULUAGA, Carlos HOLMES TRUJILLO, Ivan DUQUE] | Green Alliance [Jorge LONDONO, Antonio SANGUINO, Luis AVELLANEDA, Camilo ROMERO] | Liberal Party or PL [Horacio SERPA] | Citizens Option (Opcion Ciudadana) or OC [Angel ALIRIO Moreno] (formerly known as the National Integration Party or PIN) | Radical Change or CR [Carlos Fernando GALAN] | Social National Unity Party or U Party [Roy BARRERAS, Jose David NAME] | note: Colombia has numerous smaller movements

Political pressure groups and leaders

Central Union of Workers or CUT | Colombian Confederation of Workers or CTC | General Confederation of Workers or CGT | National Liberation Army or ELN

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged after the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A decades-long conflict between government forces and antigovernment insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia as a formal organization ceased to operate. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, organized criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. After four years of formal peace negotiations, the Colombian Government signed a revised final peace accord with the FARC in November 2016, which was subsequently ratified by the Colombian Congress. The accord calls for members of the FARC to demobilize, disarm, and reincorporate into society and politics, and it creates an alternative system for transitional justice that includes a “Special Jurisdiction for Peace” to address accountability for conflict-related crimes and established truth-telling mechanisms. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.

Military branches

National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2012)

Military expenditures

3.39% of GDP (2016) | 3.13% of GDP (2015) | 3.13% of GDP (2014) | 3.29% of GDP (2013) | 3.17% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 17

Military service age and obligation

18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation is 18 months (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.22% (male 5,917,425/female 5,634,516) | 15-24 years: 17.25% (male 4,191,033/female 4,038,314) | 25-54 years: 41.91% (male 9,918,698/female 10,071,419) | 55-64 years: 9.18% (male 2,059,712/female 2,318,320) | 65 years and over: 7.44% (male 1,480,966/female 2,068,121) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

16.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.4% (2010) | country comparison to the world: 108

Contraceptive prevalence rate

79.1% (2009/10)

Death rate

5.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 177

Demographic profile

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 above 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 more than a 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. Colombia has been the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela’s political and economic crisis since 2015, however, has created a reverse flow, consisting largely of Colombians returning 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. Between 1985 and September 2017, nearly 7.6 million persons have been internally displaced, the highest total in the world. These estimates 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. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades—although the number is likely to be much higher—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.

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 45.6 | youth dependency ratio: 35.4 | elderly dependency ratio: 10.2 | potential support ratio: 9.8 (2015 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 96.8% of population | rural: 73.8% of population | total: 91.4% of population | urban: 3.2% of population | rural: 26.2% of population | total: 8.6% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2015) | country comparison to the world: 95

Ethnic groups

mestizo and white 84.2%, Afro-Colombian (includes mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 10.4%, Amerindian 3.4%, Romani <.01, unspecified 2.1% (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,800 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 44

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

120,000 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37

Health expenditures

7.2% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 76

Hospital bed density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

total: 13.6 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 16.5 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106

Languages

Spanish (official)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.9 years | male: 72.8 years | female: 79.3 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 94.2% | male: 94.1% | female: 94.4% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: high | food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea | vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever | note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

BOGOTA (capital) 9.765 million; Medellin 3.911 million; Cali 2.646 million; Barranquilla 1.991 million; Bucaramanga 1.215 million; Cartagena 1.092 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

64 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

Median age

total: 30 years | male: 29 years | female: 31 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Mother's mean age at first birth

21.7 years | note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2015 est.)

Nationality

noun: Colombian(s) | adjective: Colombian

Net migration rate

-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 129

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.3% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 78

Physicians density

1.57 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

47,698,524 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

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

Population growth rate

0.99% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 115

Religions

Roman Catholic 79%, Protestant 14% (includes Pentecostal 6%, mainline Protestant 2%, other 6%), other 2%, unspecified 5% (2014 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 85.2% of population | rural: 67.9% of population | total: 81.1% of population | urban: 14.8% of population | rural: 32.1% of population | total: 18.9% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 14 years | male: 14 years | female: 15 years (2015)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.88 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female | total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 16.6% | male: 12.6% | female: 22.2% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 50

Urbanization

urban population: 77% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 1.47% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Terrorist groups - home based

aim(s): represent the rural poor against the nation's wealthy and block the privatization of national resources | area(s) of operation: the nation's second-largest insurgent group operates mainly in the rural and mountainous areas in the northeast, especially Arauca Province, and is active in the northern and southwestern regions and along the borders with Venezuela and Ecuador; after lengthy behind-the-scenes discussions, peace talks with the Colombian Government officially began on 7 February 2017 in Quito, Ecuador, with Colombia releasing imprisoned members to serve as peace negotiators and ELN releasing former congressman Odin Sanchez, who ELN has held since April 2016; as of June 2017, negotiators on both sides remained committed to moving toward a bilateral ceasefire, on the condition that ELN cease and desist engaging in kidnappings, extortion, and other illegal practices; claimed responsibility for the 19 February 2017 bombing near the Santamaria Bullring in Bogota that killed one police officer and injured 26 police officers and at least four civilians; on 25 January 2017, an international narcotics investigation in Colombia led to the seizure of just under 4 metric tons of cocaine, the largest drug seizure ever involving the ELN; the group has a long history of engaging in narcotics production and trafficking, extortion, and kidnappings for ransom to fund operations; has increased its revenue from the narcotics trade in 2017; Colombian forces continue to pursue leaders and members, especially those who oppose peace talks and are conducting lethal attacks on military and security personnel or civilians; historically, group leaders directed attacks against primarily Colombian political, military, security, and economic figures and targeted foreign citizens for kidnappings for ransom; assessed in 2017 to have 1,500-2,500 members | aim(s): enter the political arena to change Colombia's economic model, nationalize industries like oil and mining, and renegotiate free trade deals; historically, FARC's aim has been to install a Marxist-Leninist regime in Colombia through a violent revolution | area(s) of operation: headquartered in Uribe, Narino Department, in the southwest on the border with Ecuador and the Pacific Ocean shores; recognized as the nation's largest insurgent group, with less than 10,000 members in recent years; active mostly in Colombia's center, northeast, and mountainous southwest; historically, operatives have targeted Colombian political, military, and economic figures and structures for attack and foreign citizens for kidnappings for ransom; on 29 August 2016, a bilateral ceasefire went into effect between FARC leaders and the Colombian Government, followed by peace talks between FARC leader Rodrigo LONDONO and Colombia's President Juan Manuel SANTOS; on 30 November 2016, the Colombian Congress approved a peace accord between the FARC and Colombian Government; both sides remain committed to peace; FARC has commenced disarming in UN-monitored zones, with an estimated 7,000 members turning in their weapons by mid-March 2017 and preparing to reintegrate into civilian life; in exchange for disarmament, the government will allow FARC to form an official political party and integrate fighters into society through measures such as funding education and providing housing and jobs; FARC is striving to be ready to participate in 2018 elections as a political party; an estimated 300 FARC members remain resistant to demobilization, including the Armando Rios First Front's estimated 200 fighters; the five-decade conflict resulted in tens of thousands missing persons, massive land seizures, an estimated 5.7 million people displaced from their homes—primarily peasants, and at least 220,000 Colombian lives lost, including thousands of soldiers and police personnel; FARC leaders have vowed to cease participating in the narcotics trade, which has been the group's principal source of revenue for the past several years; an increasing number of members have defected recently to use their heavy-weapons skills to serve South American drug traffickers

Disputes - international

in December 2007, ICJ allocated San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but did not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 159,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2015, a 42% increase over 2014, producing a potential of 495 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2016, the Colombian government reported manual eradication of 17,642 hectares; Colombia suspended aerial eradication in October 2015 making 2016 the first full year without aerial eradication; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; Colombia probably remains the second largest supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation was estimated to be 1,100 hectares in 2015, sufficient to potentially produce three metric tons of pure heroin

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 7,582,085 (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985; about 300,000 new IDPs each year since 2000) (2017) | stateless persons: 11 (2016)

Airports

836 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 8

Airports - with paved runways

total: 121 | over 3,047 m: 2 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 | 914 to 1,523 m: 53 | under 914 m: 18 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 715 | over 3,047 m: 1 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 | 914 to 1,523 m: 201 | under 914 m: 488 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

HJ, HK (2016)

Heliports

3 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 103 | by type: general cargo 17, oil tanker 9, other 77 (2017) | country comparison to the world: 82

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 12 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 157 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 30,742,928 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,317,562,271 mt-km (2015)

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo; Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura | river port(s): Barranquilla (Rio Magdalena) | oil terminal(s): Covenas offshore terminal | dry bulk cargo port(s): Puerto Bolivar (coal) | container port(s) (TEUs): Cartagena (1,853,342)

Railways

total: 2,141 km | standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge | narrow gauge: 1,991 km 0.914-m gauge (2015) | country comparison to the world: 70

Roadways

total: 204,855 km (2015) | country comparison to the world: 25

Waterways

24,725 km (18,300 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,488 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges) (2012) | country comparison to the world: 6