United Kingdom vs China
Every indicator for United Kingdom and China side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | United Kingdom | China | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 69,487,000 | 1,406,585,000 | −95.1% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 4,003 | 19,498 | −79.5% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 57,602 | 13,862 | +315.5% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 81.4 | 78.0 | — |
| Area (km²) | 243,610 | 9,562,910 | −97.5% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 285 | 147 | +93.9% |
| Median age (years) | 40.6 | 39.6 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 95.5 | 91.6 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.7 | 4.6 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 3.9 | 0.1 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 83.3 | 66.3 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 81,763 | 313,658 | −73.9% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 2.28 | 1.71 | +33.3% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 5.25 | 5.06 | +3.8% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 1,177 | 223 | +427.7% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 153,000 | 2,535,000 | −94.0% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.2 | 1.8 | +22.2% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.45 | 0.33 | +36.4% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of United Kingdom relative to China; a positive value favors United Kingdom. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
United Kingdom is higher on 7 of the 12 indicators, while China leads on the remaining 5. The widest separation is in area, about 39 times; they are closest on military expenditure as a share of government spending.
Key differences
- Area shows the widest gap of all: China stands at 9,562,910 against United Kingdom's 243,610 — roughly 39 times as much.
- Population (2025) shows the widest gap of all: China stands at 1,406,585,000 against United Kingdom's 69,487,000 — roughly 20 times as much.
- Armed forces personnel (2020) shows the widest gap of all: China stands at 2,535,000 against United Kingdom's 153,000 — roughly 17 times as much.
- United Kingdom's military expenditure per capita (1,177) is about 5.3 times China's (223).
- China's gdp (nominal) (19,498) is about 4.9 times United Kingdom's (4,003).
Frequently asked questions
Where do United Kingdom and China differ most?
Where are United Kingdom and China most alike?
On how many indicators is United Kingdom ahead of China?
The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.
Related comparisons
Other comparisons involving United Kingdom or China.
United Kingdom profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
China profile →
All statistics, series, and details.