Argentina and Colombia Economies: A Side-by-Side Table Comparison

In this comparison of Argentina and Colombia, we see notable differences across key indicators. Colombia’s population is about 1.12 times larger, while Argentina boasts a surface area 2.44 times greater. Argentina’s GDP is nearly 1.84 times larger, yet its economic freedom is lower. Income inequality is higher in Colombia, with military spending over three times larger than Argentina’s. Argentina leads in exports, but imports are notably higher.

Basic Indicators

Indicator	Argentina	Colombia	Comparison
Population source (2022 data), updated 2024	46.23 million (32nd)	51.87 million (27th)	Colombia’s population is approximately 1.12 times larger than Argentina’s.
Surface area (sq. km) source (2022 data), updated 2024	2.78 million sq. km (8th)	1.14 million sq. km (25th)	Argentina is 2.44 times larger than Colombia.
GDP source (2022 data), updated 2024	631.13B USD (22nd)	343.62B USD (42nd)	Argentina’s total GDP is approximately 1.84 times larger than Colombia’s.
GDP per capita source (2022 data), updated 2024	$13,651 (64th)	6,624 USD (97th)	Argentina’s GDP per capita is roughly 106% higher than Colombia’s, with Argentinians producing about $7,026.44 more per person annually.

Economic Indexes

Index	Argentina	Colombia	Comparison
HDI (Human Development Index) source (2022 data), updated 2024	0.849 (48th)	0.758 (86th)	Argentina’s HDI is 0.849 (high), while Colombia’s is 0.758 (medium). Argentina’s score is 0.091 higher, indicating significantly better human development overall.
Index of Economic Freedom source (2024 data)	49.9 (132nd)	59.2 (75th)	Argentina’s Index of Economic Freedom is 15.6% lower than Colombia’s, 9.3 points less.
GINI source (2022 data), updated 2024	42 (2021 est.)	51.5 (2021 est.)	With a 22.5% higher Gini coefficient, Colombia has a higher degree of income inequality than Argentina.

International trade _{source(2023 data), updated 2024}

Indicator	Argentina	Colombia
Total imports	92.57B USD	75.98B
Imports % of GDP	15.35%	27.78%
Main import partners	China 21%, Brazil 20%, US 14%, Germany 3%, Paraguay 2%	US 26%, China 25%, Brazil 7%, Mexico 5%, Germany 3%
Main import items	refined petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories, natural gas, fertilizers, cars	refined petroleum, cars, broadcasting equipment, corn, packaged medicine
Total exports	83.36B USD	67.76B
Exports % of GDP	16.30%	20.58%
Main export Partners	Brazil 15%, China 9%, US 8%, Chile 6%, India 5%	US 26%, Panama 10%, Netherlands 6%, India 4%, Brazil 4%
Main export items	soybean meal, corn, soybean oil, wheat, trucks	crude petroleum, coal, coffee, refined petroleum, gold

Argentina imports 22% more than Colombia, but Colombia’s imports make up 12.43% more of its GDP compared to Argentina. Argentina’s exports are 24% higher than Colombia’s, but its exports are more agricultural, while Colombia focuses on raw materials.

Military Power _{source (2023 data), updated 2024}

Indicator	Argentina	Colombia
Military expenditure	3.1B USD	10.7B USD
Military expenditure (% of GDP)	0.41%	3.08%
Active military	72k	293k
Active military per 1,000 capita	2.3	10.7

Colombia’s military expenditure is over three times larger than Argentina’s at $10.7 billion, and it allocates a significantly higher percentage of its GDP to defense at 3.08%, compared to Argentina’s 0.41%.