Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom has 3.8 times the population of the Netherlands: 69.49 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 3.0 times the size of the Netherlands', at $4.00T versus $1.33T.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $57,602 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $1.33T | 2025 | $3.64T / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $57,602 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.4% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 3.3% | 2025 | 3.3% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | 4.7% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,567 | Higher: $6,402 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,532 | Higher: $2,538 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 313 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.5 t | 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 41,000 | 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, 1.8% for the Netherlands).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.9% in the United Kingdom and 3.3% in the Netherlands.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 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 41.5 (the Netherlands).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 83%.
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 5.8 times the size of the Netherlands: 242,900 km² versus 41,850 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 3.5 times as much on defence as the Netherlands: $81.76B versus $23.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The United Kingdom fields the larger armed forces: 153,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than the Netherlands?
- The United Kingdom is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so the United Kingdom is 5.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or the Netherlands?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $57,602. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or the Netherlands?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $23.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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