Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom has 6.6 times the population of Sweden: 69.49 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 6.0 times the size of Sweden's, at $4.00T versus $669.00B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $669.00B | 2025 | $3.64T / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $57,602 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.4% | Higher: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 3.3% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.7% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,567 | Higher: $4,783 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,532 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 313 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.5 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 2.0% | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.4% for the United Kingdom, 1.5% for Sweden).
The United Kingdom runs the hotter price environment: 3.9% inflation versus 0.7%.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 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 40.3 (Sweden).
Life expectancy is 2.7 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 46% smaller than Sweden: 242,900 km² versus 450,295 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 24.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 6.8 times as much on defence as Sweden: $81.76B versus $12.04B (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 Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 85% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or Sweden?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $57,602. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or Sweden?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).