United Kingdom vs Italy

Every indicator for United Kingdom and Italy side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Indicator comparison
IndicatorUnited KingdomItalyDifference
Population (2025) (people)69,487,00058,915,656+17.9%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)4,0032,552+56.9%
GDP per capita ($)57,60243,309+33.0%
Life expectancy (years)81.484.0—
Area (km²)243,610302,070−19.4%
Population density (people/km²)285195+46.2%
Median age (years)40.648.4—
Internet usage (%)95.589.2—
Unemployment rate (%)4.76.4—
Inflation (%)3.91.5—
Urban population (%)83.369.7—
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)81,76337,965+115.4%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)2.281.61+41.6%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)5.253.18+65.1%
Military expenditure per capita ($)1,177644+82.6%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)153,000338,000−54.7%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)2.25.7−61.6%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.451.35−66.7%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of United Kingdom relative to Italy; 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 8 of the 12 indicators, while Italy leads on the remaining 4. The widest separation is in armed forces as a share of the labor force, about 3.0 times; they are closest on population (2025).

Key differences

  • Italy's armed forces as a share of the labor force (1.35) is about 3.0 times United Kingdom's (0.45).
  • Italy's armed forces per 1,000 people (5.7) is about 2.6 times United Kingdom's (2.2).
  • Italy's armed forces personnel (2020) (338,000) is about 2.2 times United Kingdom's (153,000).
  • United Kingdom's military expenditure (2024) (81,763) is about 2.2 times Italy's (37,965).
  • On military expenditure per capita, United Kingdom is %83 higher than Italy: 1,177 against 644.

Frequently asked questions

Where do United Kingdom and Italy differ most?
In armed forces as a share of the labor force. Italy records 1.35 against United Kingdom's 0.45 — a ratio of roughly 3.0 to one.
Where are United Kingdom and Italy most alike?
In population (2025), at 69,487,000 and 58,915,656 — a gap of only %18.
On how many indicators is United Kingdom ahead of Italy?
United Kingdom is higher on 8 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Italy on 4. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
United Kingdom and Italy — core indicators
020 M40 M60 M80 MPopulation (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) — Italy: 58,915,656GDP (nominal) — Italy: 2,552GDP per capita — Italy: 43,309Area — Italy: 302,070
United KingdomItaly

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 Italy.

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