Updated
Overview
Russia has 2.1 times the population of the United Kingdom: 143.51 million people against 69.49 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is about 55% larger than Russia's, at $4.00T versus $2.56T.
Per person, the United Kingdom is the wealthier of the two: $57,602 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | United Kingdom | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $2.56T | Higher: $4.00T | 2025 | $2.17T / $3.64T |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $57,602 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | 6.7% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 89 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $3,567 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $2,532 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $7.40 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 69.49 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 68.75 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 40.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 95% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 242,900 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 286.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 313 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 4.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $81.76B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.0% for Russia, 1.4% for the United Kingdom).
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 3.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 89 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United Kingdom: $3,567 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.3 (Russia) and 40.1 (the United Kingdom).
Life expectancy is 7.9 years longer in the United Kingdom (81.4 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 70 times the size of the United Kingdom: 17,098,242 km² versus 242,900 km².
The United Kingdom is far more densely settled: 286 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends about 80% more on defence than the United Kingdom: $148.97B versus $81.76B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 2.3%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 153,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than the United Kingdom?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while the United Kingdom covers 242,900 km², so Russia is 70 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or the United Kingdom?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 69.49 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than the United Kingdom?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Kingdom is richer: $57,602 against $17,547. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.56T for Russia versus $4.00T for the United Kingdom.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or the United Kingdom?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $81.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).