Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom and France are nearly matched in population: 69.49 million versus 68.72 million people (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 19% larger than France's, at $4.00T versus $3.37T.
Per person, the United Kingdom is the wealthier of the two: $57,602 against $48,986 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | France | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $3.37T | 2025 | $3.64T / $3.16T |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $57,602 | $48,986 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.4% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 3.3% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.7% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 77 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,567 | Higher: $5,024 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,532 | $2,036 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 68.72 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 68.51 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 95% | 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 643,801 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 106.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 313 Mt | Lower: 264 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.5 t | Lower: 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $64.68B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 304,000 | 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
The United Kingdom is growing faster: 1.4% annual GDP growth versus 0.8%.
The United Kingdom runs the hotter price environment: 3.9% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in France: a price level of 77 versus 89 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $3,567 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The United Kingdom is the younger society: median age 40.1 versus 42.3 years.
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in France (83.0 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 62% smaller than France: 242,900 km² versus 643,801 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 107.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 26% more on defence than France: $81.76B versus $64.68B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 153,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than France?
- France is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while France covers 643,801 km², so France is 2.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or France?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 68.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than France?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Kingdom is richer: $57,602 against $48,986. Total GDP tells the same story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $3.37T for France.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or France?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $64.68B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).