Colombia: public finances

How big is Colombia's 2026 national budget?

The House of Representatives approved a General Budget of the Nation for 2026 of 546.9 trillion pesos (546,9 billones), according to its news release dated 16 October 2025.

Colombia's budget covers operating costs, debt service and investment by the national government, and both chambers of Congress must approve it. Spending during the year is also shaped by budget decrees and the fiscal rule, which the Autonomous Committee for the Fiscal Rule monitors.

Official sources: House of Representatives: 2026 budget approved

How much tax does Colombia collect?

Gross tax collection reached 168.1 trillion pesos in January to June 2026, 12.7% more than a year earlier (6.6% in real terms), and net collection 155.5 trillion pesos, according to the fiscal monitoring report of the Autonomous Committee for the Fiscal Rule (CARF), August 2026.

CARF says net collection was 610 billion pesos below the DIAN target consistent with the 2026 Medium-Term Fiscal Framework. Gross collection includes amounts later returned to taxpayers as refunds; net collection subtracts them. The CARF site may block automated access.

Official sources: CARF: fiscal monitoring, August 2026

What is Colombia's public debt?

General government gross debt is estimated at 59.9% of GDP in 2025 and projected at 59.5% in 2026, according to the IMF DataMapper on 15 October 2026.

Colombia's own figures focus on the central government (GNC). The CARF fiscal monitoring report for August 2026 says central government gross debt rose 1.1% of GDP in the year to June 2026, and that external debt fell to 22.9% of the total, its lowest share on record. The Ministry of Finance publishes the official debt series; its site blocked automated access on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: government debt, Colombia · CARF: fiscal monitoring, August 2026

What is Colombia's fiscal deficit?

The IMF estimates Colombia's general government deficit (net borrowing) at 5.8% of GDP in 2025 and projects 6.9% for 2026, as shown in the IMF DataMapper on 15 October 2026.

The government's own target is set for the national central government in the Ministry of Finance's annual Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, and the Autonomous Committee for the Fiscal Rule reports on compliance. Central government and general government figures differ because general government also includes regional governments and social security.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: net lending/borrowing, Colombia

What is Colombia's debt to GDP ratio?

The IMF puts general government gross debt in Colombia at 59.9% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 32.4% of GDP (2008) to 65.3% of GDP (2020). Latin America & Caribbean median: 65.6% of GDP; Colombia is 19th highest of 31. Worldwide: 74th of 185.

Does Colombia's government borrow more than it raises?

According to the IMF, general government net lending or borrowing in Colombia was -5.8% of GDP in 2025 (a deficit). Since 2005 it has ranged from -7.3% of GDP (2021) to 0.2% of GDP (2012). Latin America & Caribbean median: -2.8% of GDP; Colombia is 27th highest of 32. Worldwide: 157th of 188.

How much revenue does Colombia's government raise?

27.4% of GDP: that is general government revenue in Colombia for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 32.2% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 25.9% of GDP. It is 13th highest of 32 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 24.9% of GDP. Worldwide: 91st of 187.

How much does Colombia's government spend?

The IMF puts general government spending in Colombia at 33.2% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 35.1% of GDP in 2023 and the low 25.9% of GDP in 2005. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 26.7% of GDP, and Colombia placed 8th highest of 32. Worldwide: 76th of 186.

What is tax revenue in Colombia?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2024, is 15.2% of GDP. The peak was 17.5% of GDP in 2023 and the low 12.1% of GDP in 2010. Across Latin America & Caribbean the middle value was 15.0% of GDP, and Colombia placed 7th highest of 14. World rank, highest first: 60th of 92.

How much does Colombia spend on its military?

SIPRI puts military spending in Colombia at 3.2% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.8% of GDP (2022) to 3.9% of GDP (2009). It is 1st highest of 22 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 1.0% of GDP. Worldwide: 21st of 149.