Colombia: health and care

How many babies are born in Colombia each year?

441,537 babies were born in Colombia in 2025, 12,364 fewer than in 2024 (a fall of 2.7%), according to DANE's vital statistics bulletin published on 24 September 2026. Births in January to July 2026 were 1.5% higher than a year earlier, the first rise in several years.

DANE says the 2025 fall was the smallest since 2022, after annual falls of 7% to 12%. The 2025 figures are final and the 2026 figures preliminary. Data come from birth certificates issued by doctors and health staff.

Official sources: DANE: vital statistics bulletin, first half 2026 · DANE: births and deaths

What is the fertility rate in Colombia?

The total fertility rate was 1.0 children per woman in 2025, the lowest in the series, according to DANE's vital statistics bulletin of 24 September 2026. Vaupés had the highest rate, 2.0.

The total fertility rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her life at current age-specific birth rates. DANE calculates it from registered births and its population projections, so it can be revised when the projections change. DANE also publishes age-specific fertility rates by department in the bulletin's annexes.

Official sources: DANE: vital statistics bulletin, first half 2026

What is the maternal mortality rate in Colombia?

The maternal mortality ratio was 45.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2025, similar to 2024, according to DANE's vital statistics bulletin of 24 September 2026. Early maternal deaths fell from 207 in 2024 to 200 in 2025, the lowest number in ten years.

Early maternal deaths are those during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end from causes related to the pregnancy, following the WHO definition. Because births are also falling, the ratio can stay flat even when the number of deaths drops.

Official sources: DANE: vital statistics bulletin, first half 2026

How many people die in Colombia each year and what are the main causes?

284,254 non-foetal deaths were registered in Colombia in 2025, 3.1% more than in 2024, according to DANE's vital statistics bulletin of 24 September 2026. Ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause, at 17.3% of deaths, followed by chronic lower respiratory diseases.

Deaths in January to July 2026 were 4.8% higher than a year earlier, on preliminary figures. DANE compiles deaths and their causes from death certificates completed by doctors.

Official sources: DANE: vital statistics bulletin, first half 2026

What is the life expectancy in Colombia?

Life expectancy at birth in Colombia was 77.9 years in 2024, according to the World Bank's data, which uses UN population estimates.

DANE publishes its own life expectancy estimates as part of its population projections based on the 2018 census, updated after the COVID-19 pandemic, on its population projections page. National and UN estimates can differ slightly because they use different population and death counts.

Official sources: World Bank: life expectancy at birth, Colombia · DANE: population projections

What is life expectancy in Colombia?

The UN Population Division puts life expectancy at birth in Colombia at 77.9 years in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: 74.0 years; Colombia is 7th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 58th highest.

How many babies die in Colombia?

10.5 per 1,000: that is the infant mortality rate in Colombia for 2024, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 12.1 per 1,000; Colombia is 23rd highest of 33. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 110th highest.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Colombia?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 59.0 per 100,000. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 14th highest of 33 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 55.0 per 100,000. Worldwide: 88th of 192.

What share of GDP does Colombia spend on health care?

8.1% of GDP: that is current health spending in Colombia for 2024, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 9.1% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 6.1% of GDP.

How much do people in Colombia pay for health care themselves?

14.7%: that is out-of-pocket health spending in Colombia for 2024, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 20.9%; its low point was 2021, at 13.7%.

How many doctors per person does Colombia have?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Colombia at 2.5 per 1,000 in 2023. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.4 per 1,000; Colombia is 3rd highest of 9. Of 58 countries with 2023 data, 22nd highest.

How many hospital beds per person does Colombia have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2020, is 1.7 per 1,000. Its high point since 2010 was 2019, at 1.8 per 1,000; its low point was 2011, at 1.5 per 1,000. Latin America & Caribbean median: 1.8 per 1,000; Colombia is 19th highest of 32. Of 131 countries with 2020 data, 92nd highest.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Colombia?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Colombia was 93.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 86.0% (2021) to 95.0% (2006). Latin America & Caribbean median: 89.5%; Colombia is 10th highest of 32. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 74th highest.