National Identity
- Official name
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Official name (in Welsh)
- Teyrnas Unedig Prydain Fawr a Gogledd Iwerddon
- Name etymology
the name United Kingdom is self-descriptive; the name Britain probably derives from the Celtic word pretani, meaning "painted people;" the designation of Great Britain for England, Scotland, and Wales dates back to medieval times and was used to distinguish the island from Little Britain, or Brittany, in modern France; the name Ireland evolved from the Gaelic name Eriu, which is possibly derived from the Old Celtic iveriu, meaning "good land"
Sources:- United Kingdom ↗ - The Commonwealth
- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Coat of arms
- National flag
As published by the Royal Household of the United Kingdom The flag consists of three heraldic crosses.
The cross of St George, patron saint of England since the 1270's, is a red cross on a white ground. [...] The cross saltire of St Andrew, patron saint of Scotland, is a diagonal white cross on a blue ground.
The cross saltire of St Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, is a diagonal red cross on a white ground.
As published in EnglishAs published by the College of Arms, United Kingdom Garter King of Arms, under the authority of the Earl Marshal, has approved two versions of the Union flag as being accurate representations suitable for use. These are of the proportions 5:3, commonly flown on land; and 2:1, commonly flown at sea.
As published in EnglishAs published by the Royal Household of the United Kingdom The Union Flag, or Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom.
It is so called because it combines the crosses of the three countries united under one Sovereign - the kingdoms of England and Wales, of Scotland and of Ireland (although since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom).
As published in EnglishAs published by UK Parliament The original Union Flag was introduced in 1606 as a maritime flag and in 1634, a Royal Proclamation laid down that the Union Flag was reserved for His Majesty’s Ships of War.
As published in EnglishAs published by UK Parliament Two variations of the Union Flag have existed since the beginning of the 17th century, when the crowns of England and Scotland were joined together under King James I (James VI of Scotland) in 1603. [...] The design of the new flag, incorporating the crosses of St. George, St. Andrew and St. Patrick, was set out in a Royal Proclamation, dated 1 January 1801.
As published in EnglishAs published by UK Parliament Northern Ireland remained part of the United Kingdom and continued to use the Union Flag. [...] The United Kingdom had therefore officially changed its name but there was no change to the Union Flag.
As published in EnglishSources:- royal.uk ↗ - the Royal Household of the United Kingdom
- college-of-arms.gov.uk ↗ - the College of Arms, United Kingdom
- researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk ↗ - UK Parliament
- National anthem
- God Save the King1:03
- Title
- God Save the King
- Lyrics
- English
1God save our gracious King, Long live our noble King, God save the King: Send him victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us: God save the King.
2O Lord, our God, arise, Scatter his enemies, And make them fall. Confound their politics, Frustrate their knavish tricks, On Thee our hopes we fix, God save us all.
3Thy choicest gifts in store, On him be pleased to pour; Long may he reign: May he defend our laws, And ever give us cause With heart and voice to sing God save the King
Source: - Citizens
- Britons, British
- Official name:United Kingdom ↗ - The Commonwealth
- Official name, Citizens:The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Coat of arms:Image credit
- National flag:royal.uk ↗ - the Royal Household of the United Kingdom
- National flag:college-of-arms.gov.uk ↗ - the College of Arms, United Kingdom
- National flag:researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk ↗ - UK Parliament
- National anthem:nationalanthems.info ↗
Geography
- Location
- Western Europe, islands - including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland - between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea; northwest of France
- Total area
- 243,610 km²
- Land area
- 241,930 km²
- Water area
- 1,680 km²
- Land borders
- 499 km(1 country)
- Ireland
- 499 km
Source:- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Coastline
- 12,429 km
- Terrain
Mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast - Mean elevation
- 162 m
- Highest point
- 1,345 mBen Nevis
- Lowest point
- −4 mThe Fens
- Climate
Temperate moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast - Avg. temperature
- 9.5 °C
- Avg. daily range
- 6.7 to 12.2 °C
- Annual precipitation
- 1,048 mm
Temperature °CMeanDaily rangePrecipitation mmMonthly climate normals Month Avg. high, °C Mean, °C Avg. low, °C Precipitation, mm January 6.6 4.6 2.5 98 February 6.9 4.7 2.4 81 March 8.7 6 3.3 78 April 11.2 8 4.8 73 May 14 10.8 7.3 76 June 16.5 13.5 10.1 82 July 18.5 15.4 12.1 86 August 18.3 15.2 12.1 92 September 16.2 13.2 10.2 82 October 12.7 10.2 7.7 102 November 9.3 7.1 4.9 99 December 6.9 4.9 2.8 101 Country-wide averages over 1991–2020.
Sources:- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Weather
- Loading
- Land use2023
- Arable25.0%Perm. crops0.2%Pasture45.2%Forest13.4%Other14.7%
- Arable land
- 6,043,692 hectares (25.0%)
- Permanent crops
- 42,492 hectares (0.2%)
- Permanent meadows & pastures
- 10,923,267 hectares (45.2%)
- Forest
- 3,252,800 hectares (13.4%)
- Other land
- 3,555,075 hectares (14.7%)
Source: - Natural hazards2026
- Coastal floods8.3Very high#12/191River floods5.7High#82/191Epidemics2.4Very low#172/191Tsunamis1.9Very low#89/191Drought1.1Very low#150/191Earthquakes0.1Very low#127/191Tropical cyclones0.0Very low
Scores out of 10, ranks out of 191 countries.
Source:- INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
- Location, Land borders, Coastline, Terrain, Mean elevation, Highest point, Lowest point, Climate:The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Climate:Climate Change Knowledge Portal (ERA5 reanalysis) ↗ - World Bank
- Land use:FAOSTAT Land Use domain ↗ - FAO
- Natural hazards:INFORM Risk Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
Demographics
- Population change2026
- +0.55% per year+380,196 people/yearWorld Rank136thof 237
- Birth rate
- 9.7 per 1,000 population
- Death rate
- 9.7 per 1,000 population
- Net migration rate
- +5.2 per 1,000 population
- 2026
- 40.2 yearsWorld Rank62ndof 237
- Age structure2026
- 0-14 years16.7%15-64 years63.3%65 years +19.9%
- Share aged 65 and over
- 19.9%
- Share aged under 18
- 20.4%
- Total dependency ratio
- 58
- Youth dependency ratio
- 26
- Elderly dependency ratio
- 31
- Sex ratio
- 0.97 male / female
MaleAgeFemalePopulation by age group, % of total population Age Male Female 80+ 2.3% 3.2% 70-79 4.2% 4.8% 60-69 5.5% 6.1% 50-59 6.2% 6.6% 40-49 6.3% 6.4% 30-39 6.7% 6.6% 20-29 6.3% 6.0% 10-19 6.3% 6.0% 0-9 5.4% 5.2% - 2026
- 0.57 below the replacement level for the United Kingdom ()1.53 births per womanreplacement 2.10123World Rank158thof 237
- 0.74 daughters per woman0.26 below replacement, long-run each generation smaller than the lastreplacement 1.000.511.5
- 2026
- 0.0 per 1,000 populationbirths and deaths are roughly equal
- 2026
- +5.2 per 1,000 population
- Urbanization2026
- 83.4% live in cities58,324,349 urban residents
- Largest cities2024
- London, Birmingham, Glasgow, LeedsRankCity or TownPopulation (2024 estimate)1London9,065,6962Birmingham1,161,3263Glasgow646,7004Leeds564,7055Liverpool529,5616Sheffield526,0057Edinburgh508,5008Manchester506,4539Belfast458,97010Bristol444,562Source:
- UK National Statistics, National Records of Scotland, and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (2024 estimate), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution
- The core of the population lies in and around London, with significant clusters found in central Britain around Manchester and Liverpool, in the Scottish lowlands between Edinburgh and Glasgow, in southern Wales in and around Cardiff, and in far-eastern Northern Ireland, centered on Belfast.
- Ethnic groups2011
- White87.2%Black/African/Caribbean/black British3.0%Asian/Asian British: Indian2.3%Asian/Asian British: Pakistani1.9%Mixed2.0%Other3.7%
- Religions2011
- Christian59.5%Muslim4.4%Hindu1.3%Other2.0%Unspecified7.2%None25.7%
Christians include Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist.
Source:- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Languages
- English, Welsh (Cymraeg)
- Population, Population change, Median age, Age structure, Total fertility rate, Net reproduction rate, Natural change, Net migration rate:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Urbanization:UN World Urbanization Prospects ↗
- Largest cities:UK National Statistics, National Records of Scotland, and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (2024 estimate), via City Population by Thomas Brinkhoff ↗
- Population distribution, Ethnic groups, Religions:The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
Government & Administration
- Form of state
- Constitutional monarchyNo codified constitution states the form; statutes settle a hereditary Crown in a Protestant line of succession and bar exercising regal authority to suspend laws or levy money without Parliament's consent (Bill of Rights 1689; Act of Settlement 1700, s. I).Sources:
- Bill of Rights [1688] (1 Will. & Mar. Sess. 2 c. 2), revised text ↗, Bill of Rights 1689; Act of Settlement 1700, s. I
- Act of Settlement (1700) (12 & 13 Will. 3 c. 2), revised text ↗, Bill of Rights 1689; Act of Settlement 1700, s. I
- Parliament Act 1911 (1 & 2 Geo. 5 c. 13) ↗, Bill of Rights 1689; Act of Settlement 1700, s. I
- Parliament Act 1949, Bill of Rights 1689; Act of Settlement 1700, s. I
- Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), as enacted ↗, Bill of Rights 1689; Act of Settlement 1700, s. I
- Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), as enacted ↗, Bill of Rights 1689; Act of Settlement 1700, s. I
- System of government
- ParliamentaryNo enacted text provides for the Prime Minister or government formation, which rest on prerogative and convention, including the government's need for the Commons' confidence; dissolution is again a prerogative power (Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, s. 2).Sources:
- Bill of Rights [1688] (1 Will. & Mar. Sess. 2 c. 2), revised text ↗, Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, s. 2
- Act of Settlement (1700) (12 & 13 Will. 3 c. 2), revised text ↗, Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, s. 2
- Parliament Act 1911 (1 & 2 Geo. 5 c. 13) ↗, Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, s. 2
- Parliament Act 1949, Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, s. 2
- Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), as enacted ↗, Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, s. 2
- Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), as enacted ↗, Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022, s. 2
- Territorial organisation
- Unitary
- Official websites
- Capital
- London9.1 million people(2023)
- National holidays
- 7 days in 2026
- ThuJan 1New Year's Day
- FriApr 3Good Friday
- MonMay 4May Day
- MonMay 25Spring Bank Holiday
- FriDec 25Christmas Day
- SatDec 26Boxing Day
- MonDec 28Boxing Day (observed)
Nationwide public holidays only, excluding regional, bank and government-only days.
- Time
- Currency
- British Pound (GBP)
- Entry requirements
- Official visa and entry information
- Calling code
- +44
- Internet TLD
- .uk
- ISO 3166-1 codes
- GB, GBR
- Infrastructure
- Passengers carried
- 118,945,920 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Heliports
- 139
- Aircraft departures
- 839,180 by the country's airlines(2023)
- Air freight
- 4,413.9 million tonne-km(2023)
- Aircraft registration prefix
- G
Sources:- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Flag carrier
- British AirwaysPrivately owned (IAG)
- Passenger rail
- National Rail
- 2025
- 70 / 100World Rank20thof 182
Significant declinerDown 12 points since 2017, when it scored 82.
Confidence intervalCorruption index score by year Year Score Lower bound Upper bound 2012 74 72 77 2013 76 74 78 2014 78 75 81 2015 81 77 85 2016 81 77 84 2017 82 79 85 2018 80 77 83 2019 77 71.5 82.5 2020 77 73.4 80.6 2021 78 75.7 80.3 2022 73 70 76 2023 71 68.2 73.8 2024 71 67.6 74.4 2025 70 67.4 72.6 Source:- Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Bill of Rights [1688] (1 Will. & Mar. Sess. 2 c. 2), revised text ↗
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Act of Settlement (1700) (12 & 13 Will. 3 c. 2), revised text ↗
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Parliament Act 1911 (1 & 2 Geo. 5 c. 13) ↗
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Parliament Act 1949
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 (c. 14), as enacted ↗
- Form of state, System of government, Territorial organisation:Dissolution and Calling of Parliament Act 2022 (c. 11), as enacted ↗ - The National Archives (United Kingdom)
- National holidays:Open World Holidays Framework (vacanza/holidays) ↗
- Infrastructure:The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Infrastructure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Corruption Perceptions Index:Corruption Perceptions Index 2025 ↗ - Transparency International, CC BY 4.0
Economy
- High income
- GDP growth (real)2026
- +1.3% per yearWorld Rank159thof 195
- GDP per capita (PPP)2026
- GDP per capita (nominal)
- $61,108 (20th in the world)
Source:- 2025
- Services73.1% of GDPIndustry16.5% of GDPAgriculture0.6% of GDPManufacturing7.7%part of industry
- Households
- +60.4%
- Government
- +21.2%
- Investment
- +19.7%
- Exports
- +30.6%
- Imports
- −31.9%
The shape of the economyGDP by end useSource:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Inflation2026
- 3.3%down 0.1 percentage points0.1pp from 2025
- Labor force2024
- 35.2 million (51% of population)World Rank20thof 187
- Labor force participation2024
- 61.6% of people aged 15+
- Unemployment2024
- 4.4%
- Youth unemployment2024
- 14.3% ages 15 to 24
- Labor productivity2024
- $66.5 per hour worked at PPP
- Labor cost2016latest available
- £22.90 per hour$30.92 (USD), $29.04 (PPP)
- Budget balance2026
- 3.8% of GDP deficit
- Current account
- 3.3% of GDP, $141.6 billion deficit
Source: - Debt2024
- Government debt101.3% of GDPHousehold debt76.2% of GDPCompany debt61.1% of GDPInterest on debt2.8% of GDPCentral government debt100.7% of GDP
- Trade2025
- Goods$506.2 billion41.3%
- Services$719.6 billion58.7%
- Total exports
- $1.2 trillion
- Change from 2024
- up 6.8 percent on the previous year6.8%
Sources:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- 2024
- +1.25World Rank12thof 145
- Projected GDP growth
- +1.9% a year over the next 10 years
Source:- Atlas of Economic Complexity ↗ - Harvard Growth Lab
- Agricultural products2024
- Barley, Oats, Sugar beet, and 7 more
- 1Barley9.6×
- 2Oats8.4×
- 3Sugar beet5.1×
- 4Raw milk of cattle3.8×
- 5Carrots and turnips3.7×
- 6Meat of chickens (fresh or chilled)2.8×
- 7Potatoes2.7×
- 8Wheat2.7×
- 9Meat of cattle with the bone (fresh or chilled)2.6×
- 10Rape or colza seed1.8×
ProductSource:- FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Gold reserves2025
- 310 tonnesWorth $43.6 billion, 20% of total official reserves by value
- Industries
- machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, other consumer goods
- Income level, GDP by sector, Trade, Gold reserves:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- GDP (nominal), GDP growth (real), GDP per capita (PPP), Inflation, Budget balance:IMF World Economic Outlook ↗
- Labor force, Labor force participation, Unemployment, Youth unemployment, Labor productivity, Labor cost:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- Debt:IMF Global Debt Database ↗
- Debt:IMF Public Finances in Modern History ↗
- Trade, Industries:The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Economic Complexity Index:Atlas of Economic Complexity ↗ - Harvard Growth Lab
- Agricultural products:FAOSTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
Cost of Living
- Cost of living index
- Loading
- Monthly costs (excluding rent)
- Loading
- Rent
- Loading
- Buying an apartment
- Loading
- Average gross salary2025
- £3,157 per month$4,157 (USD), $4,500 (PPP)
- Median
- £2,708 per month($3,566)
- Men
- £3,618 per month($4,763)
- Women
- £2,716 per month($3,576)
Source:- ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
- 2024
- £1,981 per month, gross$2,532 (USD), $2,902 (PPP)
- Average gross salary, Minimum wage:ILOSTAT ↗ - International Labour Organization
Society
- 2023
- 0.946Very highWorld Rank13thof 193United KingdomWorld
Human Development Index by year Year United Kingdom World 1990 0.812 0.608 1991 0.816 0.611 1992 0.824 0.614 1993 0.827 0.617 1994 0.836 0.620 1995 0.835 0.625 1996 0.841 0.631 1997 0.849 0.636 1998 0.856 0.641 1999 0.862 0.646 2000 0.870 0.651 2001 0.876 0.657 2002 0.881 0.662 2003 0.886 0.669 2004 0.897 0.675 2005 0.903 0.681 2006 0.902 0.688 2007 0.905 0.694 2008 0.910 0.698 2009 0.915 0.701 2010 0.921 0.707 2011 0.916 0.713 2012 0.917 0.717 2013 0.931 0.721 2014 0.932 0.726 2015 0.931 0.731 2016 0.934 0.735 2017 0.937 0.739 2018 0.936 0.741 2019 0.941 0.745 2020 0.930 0.742 2021 0.941 0.742 2022 0.946 0.752 2023 0.946 0.756 Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- 2021
- 32.4
- Mean years of schooling2023
- 13.5 years
- Expected for a child today
- 17.8 years
Source:- Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Education expenditure2021
- 5.9% of GDP
- Share of government spending
- 11.8%
Source:- World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users2024
- 95.5% of the population
- Households with Internet access
- 96.4%
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Mobile subscriptions2024
- 84.1 million
- Fixed telephone lines
- 23,773,000
- Fixed broadband
- 42.2 subscriptions per 100 people
Counts subscriptions, not people.
Source:- ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Credit-card ownership2021
- 62% of adults
- Debit-card ownership
- 95%
- Account at a bank or mobile-money provider
- 100%
- Made or received a digital payment
- 99%
Source:- Global Findex Database ↗ - World Bank
- Refugees hosted2025
- 548,427 people
- Asylum seekers
- 141,767
- Stateless persons
- 5,189
- Internally displaced persons
- 80(2022)All due to disasters
- Refugees from the United Kingdom abroad
- 341
Sources:- Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Global Internal Displacement Database ↗ - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
- 2024
- Official tourism site38.2 million arrivalsdown 3% against 20193% below 2019World Rank6thof 139
- Per resident
- 5.5 arrivals per 10 residents
- 801,735 arrivals
- $84.5 billion
- Spending per arrival
- $2,212
- 2.4% tourism direct GDP(2022)
- Domestic trips
- 105.6 million overnight trips by residents
- Residents' trips abroad
- 90.6 million overnight trips
- $119.4 billion
- Hotel beds
- 1.8 million(2015, latest available)
Overnight arrivals by year2010 to 2024A tourist stays at least one night. Arrivals count trips, not people.
Source:- UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- 33 sites28 cultural4 natural1 mixed
Site Type Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast Natural Ironbridge Gorge Cultural Stonehenge, Avebury, and Associated Sites Cultural Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd Cultural Blenheim Palace Cultural City of Bath Cultural Tower of London Cultural St Kilda Mixed Maritime Greenwich Cultural Old and New Towns of Edinburgh Cultural Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Cultural The English Lake District Cultural The Factbook names 12 of the 33 sites.includes one site in Bermuda
Source:- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Human Development Index, Mean years of schooling:Human Development Report ↗ - United Nations Development Programme
- Income inequality (Gini), Education expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Internet users, Mobile subscriptions:ITU DataHub ↗ - International Telecommunication Union
- Credit-card ownership:Global Findex Database ↗ - World Bank
- Refugees hosted:Refugee Data Finder ↗ - UN Refugee Agency
- Refugees hosted:Global Internal Displacement Database ↗ - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre
- Inbound tourists:UN Tourism Data Dashboard ↗ - UN Tourism
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites:The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
Crime & Safety
- Travel advisory (US)
- Loading
- Active humanitarian crisisAug 2026
- None - no active crisis
- Active humanitarian crisis:INFORM Severity Index ↗ - European Commission Joint Research Centre
Health
- Life expectancy2026
- 81.7 years
- Health expenditure2024
- 11.1% of GDP$5,860 per person
- Physicians2023
- 3.3 per 1,000 population
- Hospital beds2022
- 2.4 per 1,000 population
- Infant mortality2026
- 3.4 per 1,000 live births
- Maternal mortality2023
- 8 per 100,000 live births
- Alcohol consumption2022
- 10.9 litres of pure alcohol per adult per year
- Tobacco use2022
- 14% of adults
- Men
- 15.9%
- Women
- 12.2%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Alcohol and Tobacco Spending2023
- 3.0% of household spendingWorld Rank55thof 105
- World median
- 3.1%
Source:- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Road traffic deaths2019
- 3.2 per 100,000 population
- Life expectancy, Infant mortality:UN World Population Prospects ↗
- Health expenditure, Physicians, Hospital beds, Road traffic deaths:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Maternal mortality:Maternal mortality estimates ↗ - UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group
- Alcohol consumption, Tobacco use:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Alcohol and Tobacco Spending:The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
Environment
- CO₂ emissions2024
- 292.4 Mt per yeardown 4.1 percent on the previous year4.1% from 2023
- CO₂ per capita
- 4.3 t per personWorld Rank70thof 207
- Share of global CO₂
- 0.74%
- Methane (CH₄)
- 58.9 Mt CO₂-eq
- Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
- 25.6 Mt CO₂-eq
- Fluorinated gases
- 9.77 Mt CO₂-eq
- All greenhouse gases
- 386.7 Mt CO₂-eq
Source:- Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- 2024
- 7.8 µg/m³ of PM2.50.3 years of life expectancy lost against the WHO guidelineMost polluted156thof 236
- WHO guideline
- 5 µg/m³
- National standard
- 20 µg/m³
Source:- Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues
- air pollution in the London region
- soil pollution from pesticides and heavy metals
- decline in marine and coastal habitats from housing, tourism, and industry
- International agreements
- 19 of 20 landmark treaties in forceParty to 188 multilateral environmental agreements
Treaty Standing Joined Climate Paris Agreement in force 2016 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in force 1996 Kyoto Protocol in force 2005 Ozone layer Montreal Protocol in force 1989 Vienna Convention (Ozone Layer) in force 1988 Biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity in force 1994 CITES in force 1976 Convention on Migratory Species (Bonn) in force 1985 Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in force 2004 Nagoya Protocol in force 2016 Land and heritage Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in force 1976 World Heritage Convention in force 1984 UN Convention to Combat Desertification in force 1997 Chemicals and waste Basel Convention in force 1994 Rotterdam Convention (PIC) in force 2004 Stockholm Convention (POPs) in force 2005 Minamata Convention on Mercury in force 2018 Oceans UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in force 1997 High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) signed 2023, not ratified MARPOL 73/78 in force 1983 Source:- International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
- CO₂ emissions:Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) ↗ - European Commission, Joint Research Centre
- Air pollution:Air Quality Life Index ↗ - Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Environmental issues:The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- International agreements:International Environmental Agreements Database ↗ - Université Laval
Food & Water
- No access to safe drinking water2022
- 0% of the population
- Renewable water2022
- 147 billion m³ per year
- Per person
- 2,156 m³ per year
- Dependency ratio
- 1% originates outside the country
- Annual water withdrawal
- 8.4 billion m³ per year
- Withdrawn for agriculture
- 14%
- Water stress
- 14% of available freshwater withdrawn
Source:- AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity2024
- 27.4% of adults
- Men
- 25.9%
- Women
- 28.9%
Source:- Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children2019
- 0.6% of children under five
- No access to safe drinking water, Renewable water:AQUASTAT ↗ - Food and Agriculture Organization
- Obesity:Global Health Observatory ↗ - World Health Organization
- Underweight children:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
Energy
- Energy consumption2024
- Per capita
- 97.8 GJ per person
- Share of world total
- 1.1%
- Supply
- Deficitproduces 56% of what it consumes, 2024
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Electricity2024
- Net importer, net 33 TWh in 2024, 12% of consumption268 TWh generated per year
- Generation
- 268 TWh per year
- Consumption
- 275 TWh per year
- Imports
- 44 TWh per year
- Exports
- 10 TWh per year
- Net
- −33 TWh per year
Source:- International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal
- Deficitproduces 56% of what it consumes, 2025Oil reserves20251.5 billion barrelsWorld Rank38thof 99
Oil imports and exports count crude oil only.
- Energy consumption, Electricity, Oil, gas & coal:International Energy Statistics ↗ - U.S. Energy Information Administration
- Oil, gas & coal:Worldwide Oil and Gas Survey ↗ - Oil & Gas Journal
Defense
- Military expenditure2024
- 2.3% of GDP$81.8 billion, 5.3% of government spending
- Military personnel2025
- approximately 138,000Regular Forces
- Army
- 75,000including the Gurkhas
- Navy
- 32,000including the Royal Marines
- Air Force
- 31,000
The military also maintains approximately 40,000–45,000 reserves and other personnel on active duty.
Source:- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Military service2026
- Voluntaryno conscription since 1963; 16+ for enlisted ranks with parental consent for under 18, 18+ for officers; maximum age varies by military service
Women serve in all branches and made up nearly 12% of the military's full-time personnel in 2025.The British military allows Commonwealth nationals who are current UK residents and have been in the country for at least 5 years to apply; it also accepts Irish citizens.The British Army has continued the historic practice of recruiting Gurkhas from Nepal to serve in the Brigade of Gurkhas.
Source:- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Space program2025
- UK Space Agency (UKSA; established in 2010)
Has a long-standing, comprehensive national space program; is active across all areas of the space sector except human space flight, including satellite launch vehicles (SLVs)/rockets, probes, satellites, and spaceports; is a founding member of the ESA and is deeply involved in ESA programs; has bilateral relations with many ESA members and is a close partner of the US NASA; since 2016 has forged over 350 relationships with international organizations across nearly 50 countries; participates in international programs such as the International Space Station and the James Webb Space Telescope; has a large commercial space sector; the UK has a space industrial plan, and the UK Space Agency has provided funding for commercial space projects
- Launch sites
- Spaceport 1 (Outer Hebrides, Scotland); Spaceport Machrihanish (Argyll, Scotland); Glasgow Prestwick (South Ayrshire, Scotland); Spaceport Snowdonia (Gwynedd, Wales); SaxaVord UK Spaceport (Unst, Shetland Islands); Sutherland Spaceport (Sutherland, Scotland); Sutherland, Scotland (Cornwall Airport Newquay, Cornwall)
- 1957
- First suborbital sounding rocket (Skylark) launched
- 1960s
- First satellite (Ariel) launched by US; development of Black Arrow satellite launch vehicle (SLV); launched first of Skynet family of communications satellites
- 1971
- First successful placement of satellite (Prospero) in orbit on a 3-stage Black Arrow SLV (Black Arrow SLV program ended in early 1970s)
- 1973
- Began participating in development of Ariane SLV along with other European states, particularly France and Germany
- 1991
- First British astronaut into space to Russian Mir space station
- 2015
- First British astronaut on International Space Station
- 2019-2020
- Began participating in US Gateway lunar orbital station program and signed US-led Artemis Accords for space and lunar exploration
- 2024
- First military remote sensing satellite (Tyche) launched by US
Key milestones
the UKSA replaced the British National Space Center (BNSC; established in 1985); in 2025, the UK Government announced that the UKSA would be absorbed into the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) as of April 2026in 2021, the British formed the joint service UK Space Command under the Ministry of Defense for military space operations, space workforce, and space capabilitiesthe UK was part of several EU-sponsored space programs until departing the EU in 2020, including the Galileo global positioning system and the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) project; it remained part of the Copernicus Earth observation and Horizon Europe research and innovation programs after 2020; the UK has participated or continues to participate in multiple ESA programs, including Cassini-Huygens research mission to Saturn, the Mars Express space exploration missions, the Rosetta comet probe, and the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission
Source:- The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Nuclear weapons2026
- 225 warheads120 deployed, 225 in the military stockpile
Deployed, strategicOn long-range missiles and at bomber bases 120 Deployed, nonstrategicOn short-range weapons None known ReserveIn storage, not on launchers 105 Military stockpileDeployed and reserve, held for use 225 RetiredAwaiting dismantlement 0 Total inventory 225 Approximate FAS estimates. Parts may not sum.
Source:- Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
- Military expenditure:SIPRI Military Expenditure Database ↗ - Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
- Military expenditure:World Development Indicators ↗ - World Bank
- Military personnel, Military service, Space program:The World Factbook: United Kingdom - CIA
- Nuclear weapons:Status of World Nuclear Forces ↗ - Federation of American Scientists
International Memberships
Formerly
