Updated
Overview
China has 20 times the population of the United Kingdom: 1.41 billion people against 69.49 million (2025).
China's economy is 4.9 times the size of the United Kingdom's, at $19.50T versus $4.00T.
Per person, the United Kingdom is the wealthier of the two: $57,602 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | United Kingdom | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $4.00T | 2025 | $18.74T / $3.64T |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $57,602 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 3.9% | 2025 | 0.2% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 89 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $3,567 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $2,532 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $7.40 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 69.49 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 68.75 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 40.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 95% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 242,900 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 286.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 313 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 4.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $81.76B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 153,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
China is growing much faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.4%.
The United Kingdom runs the hotter price environment: 3.9% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 89 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United Kingdom: $3,567 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (China) and 40.1 (the United Kingdom).
Life expectancy is 3.4 years longer in the United Kingdom (81.4 vs 78.0).
The United Kingdom is considerably more urbanized: 83% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 40 times the size of the United Kingdom: 9,596,960 km² versus 242,900 km².
Military
China spends 3.8 times as much on defence as the United Kingdom: $313.66B versus $81.76B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 153,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than the United Kingdom?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while the United Kingdom covers 242,900 km², so China is 40 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or the United Kingdom?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 69.49 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than the United Kingdom?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Kingdom is richer: $57,602 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $4.00T for the United Kingdom.
- Who spends more on their military, China or the United Kingdom?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $81.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).