Colombia: housing

How fast are house prices rising in Colombia?

The new housing price index (IPVN) rose 2.41% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the first quarter, according to DANE. That was 0.31 percentage points more than the 2.10% rise in the same quarter of 2025. House prices rose 3.68% and flat prices 2.37%.

The IPVN measures prices of new homes under construction or for sale in the main urban areas, not resales of existing homes.

Official sources: DANE: new housing price index (IPVN)

How much have rents risen in Colombia?

Actual rents (arriendo efectivo) rose 5.12% in the year to September 2026, according to DANE's CPI technical bulletin of 7 October 2026. Imputed rent, the housing cost of owner-occupiers, rose 5.03%.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels make up 33.12% of the CPI basket, the largest group. Rent changes in the CPI are measured for the cities in the index, and DANE publishes city-level results in the CPI annexes.

Official sources: DANE: CPI technical bulletin, September 2026

How many homes are being approved for construction in Colombia?

Building licences covered 1,162,446 square metres for housing in July 2026, 437,112 square metres less than in July 2025, according to DANE's building licence statistics. Total licensed area was 1,541,665 square metres, down 27.1%.

The figures are preliminary and cover licences issued by planning offices in the municipalities DANE surveys. A licence shows planned building, not completed homes.

Official sources: DANE: building licences (ELIC)

How many people in Colombia live in cities?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 78.8%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 66.2%, and Colombia placed 10th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 50th of 193.

How many people in Colombia live in slums?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Colombia was 9.7%, according to UN-Habitat. That is the lowest since at least 2006. It is 18th highest of 26 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 14.7%. World rank, highest first: 96th of 170.

What is the electricity access rate in Colombia?

In 2024, the share of people with access to electricity in Colombia was 98.9%, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 95.7% (2006) to 100.0% (2021). Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 99.5%, and Colombia placed 20th highest of 33. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 115th highest.

What share of people in Colombia have safe drinking water?

74.3%: that is the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Colombia for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 66.3%, and Colombia placed 4th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 70th of 134.

What share of people in Colombia have safe sanitation?

18.7%: that is the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Colombia for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 16th highest of 16 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 44.7%. World rank, highest first: 120th of 134.

What is access to clean cooking in Colombia?

The WHO puts the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Colombia at 93.0% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 95.0%; Colombia is 20th highest of 33. World rank, highest first: 94th of 192.