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Economy of Colombia vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Colombia has a GDP of $419B compared to $280B for Iraq, ranking 39/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Colombia has $256B in government debt (61.2% of GDP), compared to $130B (46.5% of GDP) in Iraq.

Colombia vs Iraq GDP by year

Colombia
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Colombia Iraq
2024 $418,818,154,879 $279,641,257,615
2023 $366,291,836,138 $268,881,051,644
2022 $345,632,492,851 $287,372,232,138
2021 $318,524,633,225 $209,691,945,713
2020 $270,348,342,541 $180,898,797,517
2019 $323,031,701,193 $233,636,097,800
2018 $334,198,218,098 $227,367,469,034
2017 $311,866,875,157 $187,217,660,051
2016 $282,720,100,286 $166,743,557,748
2015 $293,492,370,193 $166,774,104,959
2014 $381,240,864,422 $228,415,656,175
2013 $382,093,697,078 $234,637,675,129
2012 $370,691,143,018 $218,002,476,129
2011 $334,966,134,805 $185,749,664,444
2010 $286,498,534,095 $138,516,722,650
2009 $232,468,663,110 $111,657,580,326
2008 $242,504,150,473 $131,614,434,154
2007 $206,229,540,926 $88,837,057,320
2006 $161,792,958,905 $65,147,051,918
2005 $145,600,529,606 $50,065,104,668
2004 $117,092,416,666 $36,633,669,269
2003 $94,644,969,157 $21,921,569,479
2002 $97,945,812,803 $32,928,454,672
2001 $98,200,641,203 $36,176,430,129
2000 $99,875,074,951 $48,364,250,944
1999 $86,186,158,685 $36,881,601,584
1998 $98,443,739,941 $20,617,405,044
1997 $106,659,508,271 $20,764,857,056
1996 $97,160,109,278 $10,433,698,621
1995 $92,507,279,383 $12,894,029,888
1994 $81,703,500,846 $3,991,349,283
1993 $66,446,804,803 $1,031,944,881
1992 $58,418,985,443 $553,671,958
1991 $49,175,565,911 $407,796,350
1990 $47,844,090,710 $180,408,064,516
1989 $39,540,080,200 $65,831,935,484
1988 $39,212,550,050 $62,684,516,129
1987 $36,373,307,085 $56,774,193,548
1986 $34,942,489,684 $47,264,516,129
1985 $34,894,411,352 $48,425,161,290
1984 $38,253,120,738 $46,938,387,097
1983 $38,729,822,782 $40,712,903,226
1982 $38,968,039,722 $42,382,333,333
1981 $36,388,366,869 $37,823,000,000
1980 $33,400,735,644 $52,569,000,000
1979 $27,940,411,250 $37,816,457,839
1978 $23,263,511,958 $23,762,275,652
1977 $19,470,960,619 $19,838,130,715
1976 $15,341,403,660 $17,754,825,601
1975 $13,098,633,902 $13,458,516,763
1974 $12,370,029,584 $11,516,762,614
1973 $10,315,760,000 $5,134,367,778
1972 $8,671,358,733 $4,113,848,002
1971 $7,820,380,971 $3,865,346,535
1970 $7,198,360,460 $3,281,318,687
1969 $6,450,175,214 $3,007,758,797
1968 $5,960,212,869 $2,896,598,841
1967 $5,825,170,438 $2,551,522,656
1966 $5,428,518,519 $2,530,306,096
1965 $5,760,761,905 $2,335,785,506
1964 $5,973,366,667 $2,136,408,198
1963 $4,836,166,667 $1,805,901,510
1962 $4,955,543,963 $1,784,174,541
1961 $4,540,447,761 $1,671,960,965
1960 $4,031,152,977 $1,537,252,193

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/iraq | CC BY

GDP per capita in Colombia vs Iraq by year

Colombia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Colombia Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,919 $22,349 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $7,001 $21,246 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $6,680 $20,854 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $6,223 $17,383 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $5,340 $15,519 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $6,473 $16,182 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $6,817 $15,239 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $6,480 $14,401 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $5,960 $14,027 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $6,249 $13,332 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $8,187 $13,355 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $8,279 $12,780 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $8,109 $12,093 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $7,401 $11,707 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $6,398 $10,841 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $5,251 $10,367 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $5,542 $10,307 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $4,770 $9,909 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $3,790 $9,154 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $3,456 $8,432 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $2,819 $7,909 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $2,312 $7,420 $818 $6,068
2002 $2,429 $7,109 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $2,473 $6,935 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $2,555 $6,776 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $2,241 $6,544 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $2,605 $6,854 $901 $7,964
1997 $2,873 $6,861 $936 $6,020
1996 $2,665 $6,639 $485 $5,034
1995 $2,584 $6,506 $619 $4,598
1994 $2,326 $6,174 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $1,929 $5,826 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $1,730 $5,509 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $1,486 $5,281 $23 $2,694
1990 $1,475 $5,109 $10,261 -
1989 $1,244 - $3,791 -
1988 $1,260 - $3,707 -
1987 $1,193 - $3,436 -
1986 $1,169 - $2,940 -
1985 $1,192 - $3,088 -
1984 $1,336 - $3,066 -
1983 $1,384 - $2,743 -
1982 $1,425 - $2,942 -
1981 $1,362 - $2,700 -
1980 $1,280 - $3,868 -
1979 $1,095 - $2,871 -
1978 $932 - $1,863 -
1977 $798 - $1,609 -
1976 $643 - $1,489 -
1975 $561 - $1,166 -
1974 $542 - $1,031 -
1973 $462 - $476 -
1972 $397 - $394 -
1971 $367 - $384 -
1970 $346 - $337 -
1969 $318 - $320 -
1968 $302 - $319 -
1967 $303 - $290.6 -
1966 $290.3 - $298.2 -
1965 $317 - $284.8 -
1964 $339 - $269.4 -
1963 $282.6 - $235.5 -
1962 $298.5 - $240.7 -
1961 $282.1 - $232.4 -
1960 $258.3 - $218.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/iraq | CC BY

Colombia's GDP per capita is $7,919, ranking 94/197, compared to $6,074 in Iraq, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Colombia ranks 87th at $22,349, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Colombia Iraq
Gross domestic product
$419B
2024
$280B
2024
GDP rank
39/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP growth
1.6%
2023-2024
-1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,919
2024
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank
94/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,349
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
87/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$256B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.2%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,849
2024
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank
82/185
2024
105/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,722
2026
$5,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$72.6B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2023
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
2023
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
42.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.61%
2023-2024
-12.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
9.62%
2024
16.2%
2021
Population
54105437
48289334

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Colombia
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Colombia Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 34.6% 61.2% 42.9% 46.5%
2023 35.1% 55.5% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 34.1% 61.3% 33.9% 39%
2021 34.5% 64.4% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 33.7% 65.3% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 32.9% 51% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 34.7% 51.8% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 29.3% 49.4% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 30% 49.9% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 31.3% 50.4% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 31.3% 43.3% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 30% 37.6% 48.2% 32%
2012 29.1% 34% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 30.2% 35.8% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 30.4% 36.5% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 30.9% 35.4% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 28.4% 32.4% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 28.2% 32.7% 44% 117.1%
2006 28.4% 36% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 25.9% 38.5% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 26.6% 41.5% 91.5% 344%
2003 28% 45% - -
2002 28.1% 47.5% - -
2001 27.5% 41.1% - -
2000 26.6% 38% - -
1999 28.2% 34% - -
1998 26.3% 27.4% - -
1997 26.2% 25.3% - -
1996 25.1% 23.3% - -
1995 22.2% 13.8% - -
1994 20.6% 12.5% - -
1993 20% 14.2% - -
1992 18.4% 16.1% - -
1991 17.7% 14.5% - -
1990 17.4% 16.7% - -
1989 10.3% 17.3% - -
1988 10.3% 17.9% - -
1987 9.7% 18.9% - -
1986 9.8% 20.2% - -
1985 10.5% 19.3% - -
1984 10.3% 15.5% - -
1983 10.2% 10.8% - -
1982 10.6% 8.8% - -
1981 9.9% 8.5% - -
1980 9.6% 8% - -
1979 8.6% 7.7% - -
1978 8.1% 7.6% - -
1977 7.7% 9.2% - -
1976 8% 12.2% - -
1975 9.4% 14.6% - -
1974 8.8% 15.9% - -
1973 9.4% 16.3% - -
1972 10.3% 16.9% - -
1971 10.3% 16.2% - -
1970 10% 16.7% - -
1969 9.2% 17% - -
1968 8.9% 16.2% - -
1967 8.2% 15.8% - -
1966 8% 15.3% - -
1965 7% 15.2% - -
1964 8.1% 13.1% - -
1963 8.6% 13.9% - -
1962 7.8% 14.8% - -
1961 8.6% 8.7% - -
1960 6.7% 7.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/iraq | CC BY

In 2024, Colombia's government spending was $145B, accounting for 34.6% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $120B, or 42.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.2% in Colombia and 46.5% in Iraq, ranking 75/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Colombia

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Colombia Iraq
2024 -6.25% -4.14%
2023 -2.92% -1.14%
2022 -6.34% 8.1%
2021 -7.26% -0.38%
2020 -7.12% -12.8%
2019 -3.48% 0.83%
2018 -4.67% 7.69%
2017 -2.5% -1.52%
2016 -2.27% -14.4%
2015 -3.52% -12.8%
2014 -1.74% -5.63%
2013 -1.02% -6.06%
2012 0.15% 4.09%
2011 -1.99% 4.74%
2010 -3.3% -4.18%
2009 -2.67% -14.9%
2008 0.04% -0.86%
2007 -0.82% 9.98%
2006 -0.99% 10.7%
2005 -0.02% 4.07%
2004 -1.31% -35.4%
2003 -2.7% -
2002 -3.45% -
2001 -2.71% -
2000 -2.94% -
1999 -5.37% -
1998 -3.86% -
1997 -3.23% -
1996 -2.49% -
1995 -1% -
1994 -0.14% -
1993 -0.24% -
1992 -0.07% -
1991 0.35% -
1990 -0.41% -
1989 -1.4% -
1988 -1.3% -
1987 -0.4% -
1986 -1.4% -
1985 -2.4% -
1984 -3.3% -
1983 -3.1% -
1982 -3.6% -
1981 -2.8% -
1980 -2.2% -
1979 -0.7% -
1978 0.3% -
1977 0.5% -
1976 0.6% -
1975 -0.5% -
1974 -1.2% -
1973 -1.1% -
1972 -1.7% -
1971 -1% -
1970 -0.7% -
1969 -0.5% -
1968 0% -
1967 -0.2% -
1966 0.1% -
1965 -0.6% -
1964 -1.1% -
1963 -1.7% -
1962 -1.6% -
1961 -1.5% -
1960 1.2% -
1959 2% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.4% -
1956 -0.2% -
1955 0.7% -
1954 1.3% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 1.6% -
1951 2.1% -
1950 0.9% -
1949 0.5% -
1948 -0.1% -
1947 0.2% -
1946 -0.5% -
1945 0.1% -
1944 -0.2% -
1943 -0.7% -
1942 -1.5% -
1941 0% -
1940 -1.5% -
1939 0.8% -
1938 0.5% -
1937 1.4% -
1936 1.1% -
1935 1.3% -
1934 0.2% -
1933 -0.4% -
1932 -0.8% -
1931 -0.2% -
1930 0.3% -
1929 0.4% -
1928 -0.4% -
1927 -0.6% -
1926 0% -
1925 1% -
1924 0.5% -
1923 0.3% -
1922 -0.7% -
1921 -1.6% -
1920 0.4% -
1919 -0.8% -
1918 -2.1% -
1917 -0.5% -
1916 0.2% -
1915 -0.2% -
1914 -0.5% -
1913 0.5% -
1912 -0.3% -
1911 -0.1% -
1910 -0.3% -
1909 -3.3% -
1908 -2.7% -
1907 -2.7% -
1906 0.2% -
1905 -0.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/iraq | CC BY

In 2024, Colombia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $26.2B, equivalent to 6.25% of GDP. This compares to Iraq's deficit of $11.6B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Colombia recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Colombia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.86% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.05% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Colombia

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Colombia Iraq
2024 6.61% -12.3%
2023 11.7% 4.36%
2022 10.2% 4.99%
2021 3.5% 6.04%
2020 2.53% 0.57%
2019 3.52% -0.2%
2018 3.24% 0.37%
2017 4.31% 0.18%
2016 7.51% 0.56%
2015 4.99% 1.39%
2014 2.9% 2.24%
2013 2.02% 1.88%
2012 3.17% 6.09%
2011 3.42% 5.8%
2010 2.27% 2.88%
2009 4.2% 6.87%
2008 7% 12.7%
2007 5.54% -10.1%
2006 4.29% 53.2%
2005 5.05% 37%
2004 5.9% 27%
2003 7.13% 33.6%
2002 6.35% 19.3%
2001 7.97% 16.4%
2000 9.23% 4.98%
1999 10.9% 12.6%
1998 18.7% 14.8%
1997 18.5% 23.1%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/iraq | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Colombia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.52%, compared with 9.86% in Iraq. In 2024, inflation was 6.61% in Colombia and -12.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Colombia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $93.2M
Chemicals & pharma $825K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $381K
Raw agricultural goods $267K
Raw materials & minerals $216K
Textiles & consumer goods $62K
Wood & paper products $55K
Machinery & equipment $46K
Metals $11K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Colombia Iraq
Current account balance
-$6.88B
2024
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
172/190
2024
24/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.64%
2024
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$60.2B
2024
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$51.1B
2024
$101B
2024
Service imports
$18.5B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2024
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
33.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.1%
2024
37.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Colombia Iraq
Economic freedom 59.8 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 101/197 196/197
Property rights 43.1 8.3
Government integrity 41.6 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 57.4 5.8
Tax burden 68.6 85.5
Government spending 64 65.3
Fiscal health 49.8 95.7
Business freedom 71.2 42.8
Labor freedom 59.1 60.6
Monetary freedom 71.9 68.6
Trade freedom 71.4 40
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Colombia
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Colombia Iraq
2026 59.8 -
2025 59.8 -
2024 59.2 -
2023 63.1 -
2022 65.1 -
2021 68.1 -
2020 69.2 -
2019 67.3 -
2018 68.9 -
2017 69.7 -
2016 70.8 -
2015 71.7 -
2014 70.7 -
2013 69.6 -
2012 68 -
2011 68 -
2010 65.5 -
2009 62.3 -
2008 62.2 -
2007 59.9 -
2006 60.4 -
2005 59.6 -
2004 61.2 -
2003 64.2 -
2002 64.2 15.6
2001 65.6 17.2
2000 63.3 17.2
1999 65.3 17.2
1998 65.5 17.2
1997 66.4 17.2
1996 64.3 17.2
1995 64.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/iraq | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Colombia is 59.8, ranking 101/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Colombia Iraq
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
51.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.28%
2024
3.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$372B
2024
$277B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,890
2024
$14,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$61.9B
2024
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
38/177
2024
28/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.17B
2024
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.51B
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.25%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2024
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
28.2%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/iraq | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.