Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom has 12 times the population of Denmark: 69.49 million people against 6.01 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 8.7 times the size of Denmark's, at $4.00T versus $462.53B.
Per person, Denmark is the wealthier of the two: $76,970 against $57,602 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | Denmark | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $462.53B | 2025 | $3.64T / $429.46B |
| GDP per capita | $57,602 | Higher: $76,970 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.4% | Higher: 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 1.9% | 2025 | 3.3% / 1.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.7% | 5.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 92 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,567 | Higher: $6,992 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,532 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | $7.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 6.01 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 6.05 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 41.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 43,094 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 139.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 313 Mt | Lower: 28 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.5 t | 4.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $9.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 15,000 | 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
Denmark is growing faster: 2.9% annual GDP growth versus 1.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in the United Kingdom and 1.9% in Denmark.
Average monthly earnings favour Denmark: $6,992 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 41.3 (Denmark).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 5.6 times the size of Denmark: 242,900 km² versus 43,094 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
The United Kingdom is far more densely settled: 286 people per km² against 139.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 8.2 times as much on defence as Denmark: $81.76B versus $9.96B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The United Kingdom fields the larger armed forces: 153,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than Denmark?
- The United Kingdom is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while Denmark covers 43,094 km², so the United Kingdom is 5.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or Denmark?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 6.01 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than Denmark?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Denmark is richer: $76,970 against $57,602. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $462.53B for Denmark.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or Denmark?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $9.96B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).