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Atlantico: population, the economy and jobs

Atlantico is a department of Colombia, number 5 of 33 by population. DANE projects the population of Atlantico at 2,885,904 in 2026 (1,412,532 men and 1,473,372 women), 5.4% of Colombia's 53.40 million; 5th largest of the 32 departments and Bogota. The projections are based on the 2018 census and were updated in July 2025.

Population (DANE projection)
2,885,904
2026
GDP, current prices (2025 preliminary)
82.3 trillion pesos
2025
GDP per person (2025 preliminary)
28,734,706 pesos
2025
Unemployment rate (GEIH, 2025)
8.5%
2025
People in multidimensional poverty
8.2%
2025
People in monetary poverty
27.3%
2025
Infant deaths per 1,000 births registered
9.9
2025
Net enrolment rate, transition to upper secondary
92.3%
2024

In depth

Is the population of Atlantico growing?

The projected population of Atlantico grew by 350,398 people, or 13.8%, between the 2018 census year and 2026 (Colombia: 10.7%); 9th fastest growth of the 32 departments and Bogota.

Source: Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica (DANE) · saved copy

How urban is Atlantico?

94.9% of people in Atlantico are projected to live in municipal seats (cabeceras) in 2026 and 5.1% in smaller settlements and rural areas (Colombia: 75.9% in municipal seats); 2nd most urban of the 32 departments and Bogota.

Source: Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica (DANE) · saved copy

How old is the population of Atlantico?

Children under 15 make up 22.4% of the projected 2026 population of Atlantico and people aged 65 and over 9.7% (Colombia: 21.7% and 10.7%). The share aged 65+ is 13th highest of the 32 departments and Bogota.

Source: Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica (DANE) · saved copy

Is the population of Atlantico ageing?

The share of people aged 65 and over in Atlantico rises from 8.4% in 2018 to 9.7% in 2026 and 17.5% by 2050 in DANE's projections.

Source: Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica (DANE) · saved copy

What will the population of Atlantico be in 2050?

DANE projects 3,023,939 people in Atlantico in 2035 and 3,129,154 in 2050, up 8.4% on 2026 (Colombia: up 4.2%, to 55.65 million).

Source: Departamento Administrativo Nacional de Estadistica (DANE) · saved copy

How departments are governed in Colombia

Departments (32). Governor and departmental assembly directly elected for four years. Co-ordinate municipalities, regional roads, health and education networks.

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Sources

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