World SurveyPlay
Sheet 185 of 195 · EuropeGBR · 52.6°N 1.5°W

United Kingdom

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Capital
London
Population
69.5 million 2025
Area
242,900 km²
Neighbours
2
Locator map of United KingdomUNITED KINGDOMLondonIRELANDGERMANYFRANCENORWAYNorthAtlantic OceanNorth SeaNorwegian Sea0250 km
United Kingdom hatched, London marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 55.4°N 3.2°W; the scale bar is true at the centre.

In Northern Europe, the United Kingdom has two land neighbours: Ireland and Spain. The land border with Spain is too small to draw at this map's scale. Its area of 242,900 km² puts it 78th in the world and 11th of 45 in Europe.

About 69.5 million people lived in the United Kingdom in 2025, according to the World Bank, 22nd of 194 countries. On average, 286 people live on each km². The urban share of the population was 83.3% in 2025.

In 2025, GDP per capita stood at US$57,602 in current US dollars: 20th of 191 worldwide, 15th of 44 in Europe. Newborns in 2024 had a life expectancy of 81.4 years.

Its main landmass has land on both sides of the prime meridian, in the Northern Hemisphere. From 50.0°N to 60.8°N, it spans about 1,202 km north to south. The point on the opposite side of the Earth from London lies in the South Pacific Ocean, about 740 km from the nearest land, New Zealand.

How it compares Europe: 45 countries

MeasureFigureWorldEurope
Population69,487,0002025, World Bank22nd of 1943rd of 44
Area242,900 km²world-countries78th of 19511th of 45
GDPUS$4.00 trillion2025, World Bank, current US$5th of 1912nd of 44
GDP per capitaUS$57,6022025, World Bank, current US$20th of 19115th of 44
Population density286 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries31st of 1946th of 44
Life expectancy81.4 years2024, World Bank34th of 19424th of 44
Urban population83.3%2025, World Bank36th of 19413th of 44
Forest area13.5% of land2024, World Bank138th of 19438th of 44
Population growth+0.30% a year2025, World Bank145th of 19419th of 44
Internet users95.5%2024, World Bank25th of 18814th of 44
Fertility rate1.55 births per woman2024, World Bank132nd of 1948th of 44
Land neighbours2world-countries; among the 195112th of 19530th of 45
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaUganda, Guinea and Ghana

Closest in populationFrance, Tanzania and Thailand

Neighbours 2 countries by land, nearest capital first

  • Ireland463 km
    London to Dublin, capital to capital
  • Spain1,264 km
    London to Madrid, capital to capital; border too short to draw at the 1:50m scale of this map

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Northern, Eastern and Western
Capital
London
51.50°N 0.12°W
Northernmost latitude
60.83°N
Southernmost latitude
50.02°N
Westernmost longitude
8.15°W
Easternmost longitude
1.75°E
North to south
about 1,202 km
Antipode of London
51.50°S 179.88°E
in the South Pacific Ocean, about 740 km from the nearest land (New Zealand)