Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom has 7.6 times the population of Switzerland: 69.49 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 3.8 times the size of Switzerland's, at $4.00T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $57,602 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $1.04T | 2025 | $3.64T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $57,602 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.4% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 3.3% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.7% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,567 | Higher: $7,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,532 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 313 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 4.5 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 20,000 | 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, 1.3% for Switzerland).
The United Kingdom runs the hotter price environment: 3.9% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United Kingdom: a price level of 89 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $3,567 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The United Kingdom is the younger society: median age 40.1 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 3.0 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 5.9 times the size of Switzerland: 242,900 km² versus 41,284 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 12 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $81.76B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Kingdom carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 0.7%.
The United Kingdom fields the larger armed forces: 153,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than Switzerland?
- The United Kingdom is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so the United Kingdom is 5.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or Switzerland?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $57,602. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or Switzerland?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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