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 comparison
IndicatorUnited KingdomChinaDifference
Population (2025) (people)69,487,0001,406,585,000−95.1%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)4,00319,498−79.5%
GDP per capita ($)57,60213,862+315.5%
Life expectancy (years)81.478.0
Area (km²)243,6109,562,910−97.5%
Population density (people/km²)285147+93.9%
Median age (years)40.639.6
Internet usage (%)95.591.6
Unemployment rate (%)4.74.6
Inflation (%)3.90.1
Urban population (%)83.366.3
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)81,763313,658−73.9%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)2.281.71+33.3%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)5.255.06+3.8%
Military expenditure per capita ($)1,177223+427.7%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)153,0002,535,000−94.0%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)2.21.8+22.2%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.450.33+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.

Key differences

  • On population (2025), United Kingdom is 95.1% lower than China.
  • On gdp (nominal), United Kingdom is 79.5% lower than China.
  • On gdp per capita, United Kingdom is 315.5% higher than China.
United Kingdom and China — core indicators
0500 mn1 mr1,5 mrPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — United Kingdom: 69.487.000GDP (nominal) — United Kingdom: 4.003GDP per capita — United Kingdom: 57.602Area — United Kingdom: 243.610Population (2025) — China: 1.406.585.000GDP (nominal) — China: 19.498GDP per capita — China: 13.862Area — China: 9.562.910
United KingdomChina

The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.

Other comparisons involving United Kingdom or China.

Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI