Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom has 2.5 times the population of Australia: 69.49 million people against 27.61 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 2.2 times the size of Australia's, at $4.00T versus $1.80T.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $1.80T | 2025 | $3.64T / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $57,602 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.4% | 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 2.9% | 2025 | 3.3% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 4.7% | Lower: 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 90 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,567 | Higher: $4,436 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,532 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 313 Mt | 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.5 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 60,000 | 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 (1.4% for the United Kingdom, 1.4% for Australia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in the United Kingdom and 2.9% in Australia.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $3,567 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.1 (the United Kingdom) and 38.3 (Australia).
Life expectancy is 1.7 years longer in Australia (83.1 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is only about 1/32 the size of Australia: 242,900 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
The United Kingdom is far more densely settled: 286 people per km² against 4.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 2.4 times as much on defence as Australia: $81.76B versus $33.82B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The United Kingdom fields the larger armed forces: 153,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 32 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or Australia?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $57,602. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or Australia?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $33.82B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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