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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media provide service; more than 500 radio stations and many national, regional, and local TV stations (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.co

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

4.41 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 24

Internet users [time series]

22.538 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 18

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern system in many respects with a nationwide microwave radio relay system, a domestic satellite system with 41 earth stations, and a fiber-optic network linking 50 cities; telecommunications sector liberalized during the 1990s; multiple providers of both fixed-line and mobile-cellular services domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 15 per 100 persons; mobile cellular telephone subscribership is about 100 per 100 persons; competition among cellular service providers is resulting in falling local and international calling rates and contributing to the steep decline in the market share of fixed line services international: country code - 57; multiple submarine cable systems provide links to the US, parts of the Caribbean, and Central and South America; satellite earth stations - 10 (6 Intelsat, 1 Inmarsat, 3 fully digitalized international switching centers) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

6.291 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 27

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

49.066 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 29

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coffee, cut flowers, bananas, rice, tobacco, corn, sugarcane, cocoa beans, oilseed, vegetables; shrimp; forest products

Budget [time series]

revenues: $107.8 billion expenditures: $106.1 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

0.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 37

Central bank discount rate [time series]

4.75% (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 72 5% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

12.6% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 11.22% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$-12.17 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 $-9.837 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$80.72 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $76.92 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

58.5 (2011) country comparison to the world: 8 53.8 (1996)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Colombia's consistently sound economic policies and aggressive promotion of free trade agreements in recent years have bolstered its ability to face external shocks. Real GDP has grown more than 4% per year for the past three years, continuing almost a decade of strong economic performance. All three major ratings agencies have upgraded Colombia's government debt to investment grade. Nevertheless, Colombia depends heavily on oil exports, making it vulnerable to a drop in oil prices. Economic development is stymied by inadequate infrastructure, weakened further by recent flooding. Moreover, the unemployment rate of 10.3% in 2012 is still one of Latin America's highest. The SANTOS Administration's foreign policy has focused on bolstering Colombia's commercial ties and boosting investment at home. The US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was ratified by the US Congress in October 2011 and implemented in 2012. Colombia has signed or is negotiating FTAs with a number of other countries, including Canada, Chile, Mexico, Switzerland, the EU, Venezuela, South Korea, Turkey, Japan, China, Costa Rica, Panama, and Israel. Foreign direct investment - notably in the oil and gas sectors - reached a record $10 billion in 2008 but dropped to $7.2 billion in 2009, before beginning to recover in 2010, and reached a record high of nearly $16 billion in 2012. Colombia is the third largest Latin American exporter of oil to the United States, and the United States' largest source of imported coal. Inequality, underemployment, and narcotrafficking remain significant challenges, and Colombia's infrastructure requires major improvements to sustain economic expansion.

Exchange rates [time series]

Colombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 1,798 (2012 est.) 1,848 (2011 est.) 1,898.6 (2010 est.) 2,157.6 (2009) 2,243.6 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$59.85 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 55 $56.68 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

petroleum, coal, emeralds, coffee, nickel, cut flowers, bananas, apparel

Exports - partners [time series]

US 36.6%, China 5.5%, Spain 4.8%, Panama 4.7%, Venezuela 4.4%, Netherlands 4.1% (2012)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$364 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$497.3 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $478.3 billion (2011 est.) $448.5 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 61.4% government consumption: 16.5% investment in fixed capital: 23.6% investment in inventories: -0.4% exports of goods and services: 18.2% imports of goods and services: -19.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 6.5% industry: 37.6% services: 55.9% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$10,700 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 $10,400 (2011 est.) $9,900 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 6.6% (2011 est.) 4% (2010 est.)

Gross national saving [time series]

19.9% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 74 20.8% of GDP (2011 est.) 19% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 0.9% highest 10%: 44.4% (2010 est.)

Imports [time series]

$54.64 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $50.52 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

industrial equipment, transportation equipment, consumer goods, chemicals, paper products, fuels, electricity

Imports - partners [time series]

US 24.2%, China 16.3%, Mexico 10.9%, Brazil 4.8% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Industries [time series]

textiles, food processing, oil, clothing and footwear, beverages, chemicals, cement; gold, coal, emeralds

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 3.4% (2011 est.)

Labor force [time series]

23.09 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 18% industry: 13% services: 68% (2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$201.3 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 34 $208.5 billion (31 December 2010) $133.3 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

34.1% (2011 est.)

Public debt [time series]

40.5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 42.9% of GDP (2011 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$37 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 $31.91 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$151.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 $119.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$31.65 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 $31.96 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$111.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $95.61 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$180.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 $139 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$41.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 $35.45 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

29.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Unemployment rate [time series]

10.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 10.8% (2011 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

71.15 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Crude oil - exports [time series]

777,900 bbl/day (2009) country comparison to the world: 18

Crude oil - imports [time series]

10 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Crude oil - production [time series]

969,100 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

2.2 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 35

Electricity - consumption [time series]

45.35 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Electricity - exports [time series]

1.294 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

32.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

66.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 25

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Electricity - imports [time series]

8.22 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

13.54 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 49

Electricity - production [time series]

63.65 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

9.08 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Natural gas - exports [time series]

2.11 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Natural gas - imports [time series]

40,290 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Natural gas - production [time series]

10.95 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

169.9 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 48

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

287,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 44

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

92,410 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

49,790 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

313,100 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 1,138,910 sq km country comparison to the world: 26 land: 1,038,700 sq km water: 100,210 sq km note: includes Isla de Malpelo, Roncador Cay, and Serrana Bank

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate [time series]

tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands

Coastline [time series]

3,208 km (Caribbean Sea 1,760 km, North Pacific Ocean 1,448 km)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Cristobal Colon 5,775 m note: nearby Pico Simon Bolivar also has the same elevation

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; soil and water quality damage from overuse of pesticides; air pollution, especially in Bogota, from vehicle emissions

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 12.65 cu km/yr (55%/4%/41%) per capita: 308 cu m/yr (2010)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

4 00 N, 72 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

only South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea

Irrigated land [time series]

10,870 sq km (2011)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 6,309 km border countries: Brazil 1,644 km, Ecuador 590 km, Panama 225 km, Peru 1,800 km, Venezuela 2,050 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 1.84% permanent crops: 1.66% other: 96.5% (2011)

Location [time series]

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Panama and Venezuela, and bordering the North Pacific Ocean, between Ecuador and Panama

Map references [time series]

South America

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards [time series]

highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts volcanism: Galeras (elev. 4,276 m) is one of Colombia's most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major evacuations; it has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (elev. 5,321 m), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985 producing lahars that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper, emeralds, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

flat coastal lowlands, central highlands, high Andes Mountains, eastern lowland plains (Llanos)

Total renewable water resources [time series]

2,132 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

32 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital district* (distrito capital); Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Atlantico, Bogota*, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Caqueta, Casanare, Cauca, Cesar, Choco, Cordoba, Cundinamarca, Guainia, Guaviare, Huila, La Guajira, Magdalena, Meta, Narino, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindio, Risaralda, Archipielago de San Andres, Providencia y Santa Catalina (colloquially San Andres y Providencia), Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupes, Vichada

Capital [time series]

name: Bogota geographic coordinates: 4 36 N, 74 05 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

several previous; latest promulgated 5 July 1991; amended many times, last in 2011 (2013)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Colombia conventional short form: Colombia local long form: Republica de Colombia local short form: Colombia

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Benjamin ZIFF embassy: Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50, Bogota, D.C. mailing address: Carrera 45 No. 24B-27, Bogota, D.C. telephone: [57] (1) 275-2000 FAX: [57] (1) 275-4600

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Luis Carlos VILLEGAS Echeverri (since 3 December 2013) chancery: 2118 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-8338 FAX: [1] (202) 232-8643 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Beverly Hills (CA), Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) consulate(s): Newark (NJ)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon (since 7 August 2010); Vice President Angelino GARZON (since 7 August 2010) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice president elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 30 May 2010 with a runoff election 20 June 2010 (next to be held in May 2014) election results: Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon elected president in runoff election; percent of vote - Juan Manuel SANTOS Calderon 69.06%, Antanas MOCKUS 27.52%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three horizontal bands of yellow (top, double-width), blue, and red; the flag retains the three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the short-lived South American republic that broke up in 1830; various interpretations of the colors exist and include: yellow for the gold in Colombia's land, blue for the seas on its shores, and red for the blood spilled in attaining freedom; alternatively, the colors have been described as representing more elemental concepts such as sovereignty and justice (yellow), loyalty and vigilance (blue), and valor and generosity (red); or simply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity note: similar to the flag of Ecuador, which is longer and bears the Ecuadorian coat of arms superimposed in the center

Government type [time series]

republic; executive branch dominates government structure

Independence [time series]

20 July 1810 (from Spain)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

BCIE, BIS, CAN, Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-3, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur (associate), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of the Civil-Agrarian and Labor Chambers each with 7 judges, and the Penal Chamber with 9 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 magistrates); Council of State (consists of 27 magistrates) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Congress from candidates submitted by the president; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court magistrates - 3 nominated by the president, 3 by the Supreme Court, and 3 elected by the Senate; judges elected for individual 2-8 year terms subordinate courts: Superior Tribunals (appellate courts for each of the judicial districts); regional courts; civil municipal courts; Superior Military Tribunal; first instance administrative courts

Legal system [time series]

civil law system influenced by the Spanish and French civil codes

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Congress or Congreso consists of the Senate or Senado (102 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (166 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 14 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014); Chamber of Representatives - last held on 14 March 2010 (next to be held in March 2014) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 28, PC 22, PL 17, PIN 9, CR 8, PDA 8, Green Party 5, other parties 5; Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - U Party 47, PC 38, PL 37, CR 15, PIN 12, PDA 4, Green Party 3, other parties 10; note - as of 1 January 2011, the Senate currently has 101 seats after one seat became vacant due to a PL senator losing his seat for illegal collusion with the FARC; the Chamber of Representatives also has one seat vacant after only 165 of the 166 candidates were credentialed

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 20 July (1810)

National symbol(s) [time series]

Andean condor

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Clara LOPEZ] Conservative Party or PC [Efrain CEPEDA Sarabia] Green Party [Jorge LONDONO Ulloa; Enrique PENALOSA] Liberal Party or PL [Simon GAVIRIA Munoz] National Integration Party or PIN [Angel ALIRIO Moreno] Radical Change or CR [Antonio GUERRA de la Espriella] Social National Unity Party or U Party [Juan Francisco LOZANO Ramirez] note: Colombia has seven major political parties, and numerous smaller movements

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Central Union of Workers or CUT Colombian Confederation of Workers or CTC General Confederation of Workers or CGT National Liberation Army or ELN Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC note: FARC and ELN are the two largest insurgent groups active in Colombia

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Colombia was one of the three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Ecuador and Venezuela). A nearly five-decade long conflict between government forces and anti-government insurgent groups, principally the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) heavily funded by the drug trade, escalated during the 1990s. More than 31,000 former paramilitaries had demobilized by the end of 2006 and the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia as a formal organization had ceased to function. In the wake of the paramilitary demobilization, emerging criminal groups arose, whose members include some former paramilitaries. The insurgents lack the military or popular support necessary to overthrow the government, but continue attacks against civilians. Large areas of the countryside are under guerrilla influence or are contested by security forces. In October 2012, the Colombian Government started formal peace negotiations with the FARC aimed at reaching a definitive bilateral ceasefire and incorporating demobilized FARC members into mainstream society and politics. The Colombian Government has stepped up efforts to reassert government control throughout the country, and now has a presence in every one of its administrative departments. Despite decades of internal conflict and drug related security challenges, Colombia maintains relatively strong democratic institutions characterized by peaceful, transparent elections and the protection of civil liberties.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 11,692,647 females age 16-49: 11,727,625 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 9,150,400 females age 16-49: 9,861,760 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 430,634 female: 413,974 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC, includes Naval Aviation, Naval Infantry (Infanteria de Marina, IM), and Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC) (2012)

Military expenditures [time series]

3.8% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 27

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-24 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; service obligation is 18 months (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 25.8% (male 6,032,725/female 5,755,437) 15-24 years: 18.2% (male 4,241,621/female 4,101,552) 25-54 years: 41.5% (male 9,376,745/female 9,597,744) 55-64 years: 8% (male 1,705,451/female 1,962,606) 65 years and over: 6.5% (male 1,242,980/female 1,728,922) (2013 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

16.98 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]

total number: 988,362 percentage: 9 % note: data represents children ages 5-17 (2009 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

3.4% (2010) country comparison to the world: 106

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

79.1% (2010)

Death rate [time series]

5.33 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Demographic profile [time series]

Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line. Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee flows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; Venezuela and the United States continue to be the main host countries. Colombia is the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Forced displacement remains prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. A leading NGO estimates that 5.2 million people have been displaced since 1985, while the Colombian Government estimates 3.6 million since 2000. These estimates may undercount actual numbers because not all internally displaced persons are registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world's highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades - although the number is likely to be much higher - including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 51.2 % youth dependency ratio: 41.9 % elderly dependency ratio: 9.3 % potential support ratio: 10.7 (2013)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 72% of population total: 92% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 28% of population total: 8% of population (2010 est.)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

4.5% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 93

Ethnic groups [time series]

mestizo 58%, white 20%, mulatto 14%, black 4%, mixed black-Amerindian 3%, Amerindian 1%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

14,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

160,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

6.1% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 106

Hospital bed density [time series]

1.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 15.46 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 106 male: 18.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 75.02 years country comparison to the world: 99 male: 71.82 years female: 78.42 years (2013 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 93.6% male: 93.5% female: 93.7% (2011 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever (2013)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

BOGOTA (capital) 8.744 million; Medellin 3.497 million; Cali 2.352 million; Barranquilla 1.836 million; Bucaramanga 1.065 million (2011)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

92 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 81

Median age [time series]

total: 28.6 years male: 27.6 years female: 29.5 years (2013 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]

21.4 note: Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Colombian(s) adjective: Colombian

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

17.3% (2008) country comparison to the world: 112

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.47 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population [time series]

45,745,783 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Population growth rate [time series]

1.1% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 90%, other 10%

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 82% of population rural: 63% of population total: 77% of population unimproved: urban: 18% of population rural: 37% of population total: 23% of population (2010 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2011)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.1 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 23% country comparison to the world: 43 male: 18.2% female: 29.9% (2008)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 75% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

in December 2007, ICJ allocated San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina islands to Colombia under 1928 Treaty but did not rule on 82 degrees W meridian as maritime boundary with Nicaragua; managed dispute with Venezuela over maritime boundary and Venezuelan-administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics, guerrilla, and paramilitary activities penetrate all neighboring borders and have caused Colombian citizens to flee mostly into neighboring countries; Colombia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Jamaica, and the US assert various claims to Bajo Nuevo and Serranilla Bank

Illicit drugs [time series]

illicit producer of coca, opium poppy, and cannabis; world's leading coca cultivator with 83,000 hectares in coca cultivation in 2011, a 17% decrease over 2010, producing a potential of 195 mt of pure cocaine; the world's largest producer of coca derivatives; supplies cocaine to nearly all of the US market and the great majority of other international drug markets; in 2012, aerial eradication dispensed herbicide to treat over 100,549 hectares combined with manual eradication of 30,486 hectares; a significant portion of narcotics proceeds are either laundered or invested in Colombia through the black market peso exchange; important supplier of heroin to the US market; opium poppy cultivation is estimated to have fallen to 1,100 hectares in 2009 while pure heroin production declined to 2.1 mt; most Colombian heroin is destined for the US market (2013)

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 3.9-5.5 million (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985) (2011) stateless persons: 12 (2012)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

836 (2013) country comparison to the world: 8

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 121 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 39 914 to 1,523 m: 53 under 914 m: 18 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 715 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 201 under 914 m: 488 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

3 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 12 country comparison to the world: 106 by type: cargo 9, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 2 registered in other countries: 4 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 2, Portugal 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 4,991 km; oil 6,796 km; refined products 3,429 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Cartagena, Santa Marta, Turbo; Pacific Ocean - Buenaventura river port(s): Barranquilla (Rio Magdalena) oil/gas terminal(s): Covenas offshore terminal dry bulk cargo port(s): Puerto Bolivar (coal)

Railways [time series]

total: 874 km country comparison to the world: 95 standard gauge: 150 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 498 km 0.950-m gauge; 226 km 0.914-m gauge (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 141,374 km (2010) country comparison to the world: 34

Waterways [time series]

24,725 km (18,300 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,488 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure the safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges) (2012) country comparison to the world: 6