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Colombia Population (2026 Overview)
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia, is a country located in northwestern South America. It is the second-most populous country in South America, after Brazil. According to DANE (National Administrative Department of Statistics), Colombia’s population was estimated at 53 million in 2025.
As per the United Nations World Population Prospects, the population of Colombia in 2026 is projected at approximately 52.9 million (about 53 million). Population growth in Colombia has slowed in recent years due to declining fertility rates, increased urbanization, and demographic aging.
👉 Projected Population of Colombia (2026): ~53 million
Colombia Census Snapshot (2024)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2024) | 52,695,952 |
| South America Population Rank | 2nd |
| Urban Population | 80.4% |
| Land Area | 1,038,700 sq. km (401,000 sq. mi) |
| Area Rank (South America) | 4th |
| Population Density | ~50 people per sq. km |
| Capital City | Bogotá |
Source: DANE (National Administrative Department of Statistics), Colombia
Colombia Future Population Projection
Colombia’s population is expected to continue growing through the mid-21st century, peaking around the 2050s, before entering a gradual decline later in the century.
Projected Population of Colombia
| Year | Total Population |
|---|---|
| 2030 | 54,705,567 |
| 2040 | 56,933,436 |
| 2050 | 57,713,467 (peak) |
| 2060 | 57,147,990 |
| 2070 | 55,398,561 |
Source: United Nations World Population Prospects (medium variant)
Religion in Colombia
Christianity is the largest religion in Colombia, and the Colombian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, ensuring equal legal status for all religious groups. Within Christianity, Roman Catholicism remains the dominant faith, though its share has declined in recent decades as Protestant and evangelical churches have grown.
According to the 2020 Latino Barómetro report, a growing share of Colombians identify with no religion, reflecting broader social and cultural changes. Smaller communities practice Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, the Baháʼí Faith, Mormonism, and various Indigenous religions.
Religious Affiliation in Colombia (2020)
| Religion / Affiliation | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Catholic | 68.9% |
| Evangelical (unspecified) | 15.7% |
| Evangelical Pentecostal | 0.7% |
| Adventist | 0.2% |
| Jehovah’s Witnesses | 0.7% |
| Other Protestant | 0.2% |
| Jewish | 0.1% |
| Other Religions | 0.7% |
| None | 10.3% |
| Agnostic | 0.3% |
| Atheist | 0.3% |
| Don’t Know | 1.1% |
| No Answer | 0.6% |
Source: Latino Barómetro (2020)
📉 Trend Note
Colombia has experienced a decline in Catholic affiliation, alongside the rise of evangelical churches and an increasing non-religious population since the early 2000s.
Race and Ethnicity in Colombia
Colombia is a multi-ethnic nation with a rich mixture of Indigenous, European, African, and other ancestries. The 2018 Colombian Census highlights the country’s diverse racial composition, with whites and mestizos forming the largest group, followed by Afro-Colombians, Indigenous peoples, and smaller ethnic communities.
Ethnic Composition of Colombia (2018 Census)
| Race / Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White and Mestizo | 87.58% |
| Afro-Colombian (including mixed) | 6.68% |
| Amerindian (Indigenous) | 4.31% |
| Not Stated | 1.35% |
| Raizal | 0.06% |
| Palenquero | 0.02% |
| Romani (Roma) | 0.01% |
Source: 2018 Colombian Census
🧬 Genetic Insight
Genetic studies indicate that the average Colombian is approximately:
62.5% European
27.4% Amerindian
9.2% African
0.9% East Asian
This highlights the high degree of admixture across the population, reflecting centuries of migration, colonization, and cultural blending.
📌 Key Notes
White Colombians are mainly of Spanish, Italian, Irish, German, and French descent, with smaller communities of Lebanese, Palestinian, and Syrian ancestry.
Indigenous groups include the Wayuu, Paez, Pastos, Emberá, and Zenú.
Afro-Colombians, Raizal, and Palenquero communities are concentrated in coastal and historic regions.
Colombia States & Cities Population (Overview)
Colombia’s population is distributed across its 33 departments and numerous vibrant cities, reflecting the country’s rich cultural and geographic diversity. Bogotá, the capital, is the largest department and city, followed by Antioquia, Valle del Cauca, and Atlántico, which together account for a significant share of the national population. Major cities like Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, and Cartagena highlight the urban dynamism of the country.
👉 For a detailed list of all Colombian departments and cities by population, visit Top States & Cities in Colombia
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