Country explorer: Colombia

Colombia has experienced robust economic transformations marked by a consistent decrease in unemployment, a gradual improvement in GDP per capita, and significant strides in poverty alleviation, alongside maintaining a relatively stable inflation rate, mirroring trends observed in upper-middle-income countries but with distinctive resilience and growth in the face of global economic challenges.

Colombia has experienced significant demographic transformations, marked by a gradual decline in fertility rates, a substantial increase in life expectancy, and dynamic migration patterns, reflecting a blend of challenges and progress typical of upper-middle-income countries transitioning towards lower population growth and aging populations.

Colombia has exhibited significant progress in basic needs indicators, showcasing marked improvements in access to clean cooking fuels, electricity, and safely managed drinking water and sanitation facilities, trends that align with but also surpass the pace of advancements seen across many upper-middle-income countries.

Colombia has shown significant human development progress, marked by improvements in the Human Development Index (HDI), a notable decrease in child mortality rates, rising literacy rates, and an increase in average learning-adjusted years of schooling, reflecting its commitment to enhancing the well-being and educational attainment of its citizens, in line with trends observed in upper-middle-income countries.

Colombia has experienced a notable decrease in per capita CO₂ emissions including land-use change, a significant shift towards renewable energy production with a marked increase in solar and wind energy, maintained high levels of renewable freshwater resources per capita, and a gradual decrease in forest area, reflecting a nuanced approach to environmental management and energy transition compared to its regional peers.

Colombia has made significant strides in technological adoption and innovation, highlighted by rapid increases in internet usage, mobile phone subscriptions, and scientific output, demonstrating a strong shift towards digital inclusion and research advancement similar to its upper-middle-income peers.

Colombia has experienced a modest increase in the share of the population born in another country, coupled with stable self-reported life satisfaction and a steady improvement in gender equality, against the backdrop of decreasing age dependency, indicating societal transformations towards greater diversity and equality.

Colombia has shown notable progress in governance, as evidenced by improvements in rule of law, decreased perceptions of corruption, enhanced political civil liberties, and increased press freedom, indicating both a distinct commitment to democratic values and shared global efforts towards better governance.