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Economy of Colombia vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Colombia has a GDP of $419B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 39/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Colombia has $256B in government debt (61.2% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Colombia vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Colombia
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Colombia Papua New Guinea
2024 $418,818,154,879 $31,800,428,266
2023 $366,291,836,138 $30,816,367,067
2022 $345,632,492,851 $31,653,185,953
2021 $318,524,633,225 $26,109,413,521
2020 $270,348,342,541 $23,848,447,850
2019 $323,031,701,193 $24,750,626,030
2018 $334,198,218,098 $24,109,780,708
2017 $311,866,875,157 $22,742,699,138
2016 $282,720,100,286 $20,758,876,953
2015 $293,492,370,193 $21,723,437,010
2014 $381,240,864,422 $23,210,823,987
2013 $382,093,697,078 $21,261,338,065
2012 $370,691,143,018 $21,295,168,666
2011 $334,966,134,805 $17,985,138,066
2010 $286,498,534,095 $14,250,786,675
2009 $232,468,663,110 $11,619,456,449
2008 $242,504,150,473 $11,670,892,801
2007 $206,229,540,926 $9,545,028,944
2006 $161,792,958,905 $8,354,911,041
2005 $145,600,529,606 $4,865,892,972
2004 $117,092,416,666 $3,927,157,867
2003 $94,644,969,157 $3,536,411,824
2002 $97,945,812,803 $2,999,511,040
2001 $98,200,641,203 $3,081,024,212
2000 $99,875,074,951 $3,521,339,699
1999 $86,186,158,685 $3,477,038,204
1998 $98,443,739,941 $3,789,443,015
1997 $106,659,508,271 $4,936,615,299
1996 $97,160,109,278 $5,155,311,077
1995 $92,507,279,383 $4,636,057,476
1994 $81,703,500,846 $5,502,786,070
1993 $66,446,804,803 $4,974,550,286
1992 $58,418,985,443 $4,377,980,510
1991 $49,175,565,911 $3,787,394,958
1990 $47,844,090,710 $3,219,729,083
1989 $39,540,080,200 $3,546,472,566
1988 $39,212,550,050 $3,656,177,881
1987 $36,373,307,085 $3,143,851,794
1986 $34,942,489,684 $2,647,995,602
1985 $34,894,411,352 $2,423,339,172
1984 $38,253,120,738 $2,552,662,617
1983 $38,729,822,782 $2,562,351,551
1982 $38,968,039,722 $2,368,719,683
1981 $36,388,366,869 $2,498,190,847
1980 $33,400,735,644 $2,545,808,456
1979 $27,940,411,250 $2,293,760,511
1978 $23,263,511,958 $1,947,878,831
1977 $19,470,960,619 $1,640,746,619
1976 $15,341,403,660 $1,511,843,235
1975 $13,098,633,902 $1,356,603,608
1974 $12,370,029,584 $1,467,417,672
1973 $10,315,760,000 $1,299,079,410
1972 $8,671,358,733 $858,761,926
1971 $7,820,380,971 $717,750,278
1970 $7,198,360,460 $645,568,215
1969 $6,450,175,214 $551,263,864
1968 $5,960,212,869 $485,184,190
1967 $5,825,170,438 $441,728,183
1966 $5,428,518,519 $390,992,063
1965 $5,760,761,905 $344,176,055
1964 $5,973,366,667 $305,312,049
1963 $4,836,166,667 $275,968,044
1962 $4,955,543,963 $261,184,042
1961 $4,540,447,761 $244,832,039
1960 $4,031,152,977 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Colombia vs Papua New Guinea by year

Colombia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Colombia Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,919 $22,349 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $7,001 $21,246 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $6,680 $20,854 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $6,223 $17,383 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $5,340 $15,519 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $6,473 $16,182 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $6,817 $15,239 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $6,480 $14,401 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $5,960 $14,027 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $6,249 $13,332 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $8,187 $13,355 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $8,279 $12,780 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $8,109 $12,093 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $7,401 $11,707 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $6,398 $10,841 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $5,251 $10,367 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $5,542 $10,307 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $4,770 $9,909 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $3,790 $9,154 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $3,456 $8,432 $744 $2,322
2004 $2,819 $7,909 $621 $2,187
2003 $2,312 $7,420 $577 $2,142
2002 $2,429 $7,109 $506 $2,125
2001 $2,473 $6,935 $538 $2,168
2000 $2,555 $6,776 $636 $2,196
1999 $2,241 $6,544 $650 $2,280
1998 $2,605 $6,854 $733 $2,285
1997 $2,873 $6,861 $990 $2,432
1996 $2,665 $6,639 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $2,584 $6,506 $998 $2,436
1994 $2,326 $6,174 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $1,929 $5,826 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $1,730 $5,509 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $1,486 $5,281 $942 $1,869
1990 $1,475 $5,109 $826 $1,703
1989 $1,244 - $934 -
1988 $1,260 - $985 -
1987 $1,193 - $865 -
1986 $1,169 - $745 -
1985 $1,192 - $697 -
1984 $1,336 - $750 -
1983 $1,384 - $769 -
1982 $1,425 - $726 -
1981 $1,362 - $781 -
1980 $1,280 - $813 -
1979 $1,095 - $748 -
1978 $932 - $648 -
1977 $798 - $558 -
1976 $643 - $525 -
1975 $561 - $482 -
1974 $542 - $533 -
1973 $462 - $483 -
1972 $397 - $327 -
1971 $367 - $279.7 -
1970 $346 - $257.6 -
1969 $318 - $225.3 -
1968 $302 - $202.9 -
1967 $303 - $189 -
1966 $290.3 - $171.1 -
1965 $317 - $153.9 -
1964 $339 - $139.5 -
1963 $282.6 - $128.9 -
1962 $298.5 - $124.7 -
1961 $282.1 - $119.7 -
1960 $258.3 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Colombia's GDP per capita is $7,919, ranking 94/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Colombia ranks 87th at $22,349, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Colombia Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$419B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
39/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
1.6%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,919
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
94/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,349
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
87/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$256B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.2%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,849
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
82/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,722
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$72.6B
2024
$1.68B
2017
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2023
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
2023
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.61%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
9.62%
2024
2.69%
2022
Population
54105437
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Colombia
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Colombia Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 34.6% 61.2% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 35.1% 55.5% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 34.1% 61.3% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 34.5% 64.4% 22% 52.6%
2020 33.7% 65.3% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 32.9% 51% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 34.7% 51.8% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 29.3% 49.4% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 30% 49.9% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 31.3% 50.4% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 31.3% 43.3% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 30% 37.6% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 29.1% 34% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 30.2% 35.8% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 30.4% 36.5% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 30.9% 35.4% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 28.4% 32.4% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 28.2% 32.7% 18% 22.2%
2006 28.4% 36% 19.4% 26%
2005 25.9% 38.5% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 26.6% 41.5% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 28% 45% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 28.1% 47.5% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 27.5% 41.1% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 26.6% 38% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 28.2% 34% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 26.3% 27.4% 20% 45.7%
1997 26.2% 25.3% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 25.1% 23.3% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 22.2% 13.8% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 20.6% 12.5% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 20% 14.2% 23.5% 30%
1992 18.4% 16.1% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 17.7% 14.5% 22.4% -
1990 17.4% 16.7% 24.5% -
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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Colombia's government spending was $145B, accounting for 34.6% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.2% in Colombia and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 75/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Colombia

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Colombia Papua New Guinea
2024 -6.25% -3.23%
2023 -2.92% -4.34%
2022 -6.34% -5.25%
2021 -7.26% -6.84%
2020 -7.12% -8.85%
2019 -3.48% -4.98%
2018 -4.67% -2.58%
2017 -2.5% -2.47%
2016 -2.27% -4.75%
2015 -3.52% -4.55%
2014 -1.74% -6.27%
2013 -1.02% -6.87%
2012 0.15% -1.19%
2011 -1.99% 2.22%
2010 -3.3% 3.06%
2009 -2.67% -5.48%
2008 0.04% 2.73%
2007 -0.82% 6.9%
2006 -0.99% 5.34%
2005 -0.02% 2.85%
2004 -1.31% 2.03%
2003 -2.7% 0.19%
2002 -3.45% -1.75%
2001 -2.71% -1.33%
2000 -2.94% 0.3%
1999 -5.37% -1.94%
1998 -3.86% -0.16%
1997 -3.23% 0.67%
1996 -2.49% 2.05%
1995 -1% 1.08%
1994 -0.14% -1.01%
1993 -0.24% -4.9%
1992 -0.07% -4.33%
1991 0.35% -0.62%
1990 -0.41% -2.04%
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/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Colombia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Colombia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Colombia

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Colombia Papua New Guinea
2024 6.61% 0.6%
2023 11.7% 2.3%
2022 10.2% 5.25%
2021 3.5% 4.48%
2020 2.53% 4.87%
2019 3.52% 3.93%
2018 3.24% 4.37%
2017 4.31% 5.42%
2016 7.51% 6.67%
2015 4.99% 6%
2014 2.9% 5.22%
2013 2.02% 4.96%
2012 3.17% 4.54%
2011 3.42% 4.44%
2010 2.27% 6.01%
2009 4.2% 6.92%
2008 7% 10.8%
2007 5.54% 0.91%
2006 4.29% 2.37%
2005 5.05% 1.78%
2004 5.9% 2.16%
2003 7.13% 14.7%
2002 6.35% 11.8%
2001 7.97% 9.3%
2000 9.23% 15.6%
1999 10.9% 14.9%
1998 18.7% 13.6%
1997 18.5% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Colombia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.52%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 6.61% in Colombia and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Colombia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $174K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $101K
Raw agricultural goods $50K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Colombia Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
-$6.88B
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
172/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.64%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$60.2B
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$51.1B
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$18.5B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.1%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Colombia Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 59.8 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 101/197 134/197
Property rights 43.1 45
Government integrity 41.6 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 57.4 41.1
Tax burden 68.6 70.9
Government spending 64 86.1
Fiscal health 49.8 65.3
Business freedom 71.2 34.2
Labor freedom 59.1 65.1
Monetary freedom 71.9 77.4
Trade freedom 71.4 80.2
Investment freedom 60 25
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Colombia
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Colombia Papua New Guinea
2026 59.8 54.3
2025 59.8 52.5
2024 59.2 49.4
2023 63.1 51.7
2022 65.1 54.6
2021 68.1 58.9
2020 69.2 58.4
2019 67.3 58.4
2018 68.9 55.7
2017 69.7 50.9
2016 70.8 53.2
2015 71.7 53.1
2014 70.7 53.9
2013 69.6 53.6
2012 68 53.8
2011 68 52.6
2010 65.5 53.5
2009 62.3 54.8
2008 62.2 -
2007 59.9 -
2006 60.4 -
2005 59.6 -
2004 61.2 -
2003 64.2 -
2002 64.2 -
2001 65.6 57.2
2000 63.3 55.8
1999 65.3 56.3
1998 65.5 55.2
1997 66.4 56.7
1996 64.3 58.6
1995 64.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/colombia/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Colombia is 59.8, ranking 101/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Colombia Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.28%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$372B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,890
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$61.9B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
38/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.17B
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.51B
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.25%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2024
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1995, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.