United Kingdom
EuropeCapital city: LondonCapital metro: LondonSovereign: 👑 King Charles IIIPrime Minister: Andy Burnham
2026 population
69.3M
Rank #20 globally
Area
243k km² (94k sq mi)
Metros tracked
181
81% of population in metros
Composite score
545.7
Rank #3 globally
At a glance
- Official language
- English
- Currency
- Pound sterling (£)
- Government
- Constitutional monarchy
- Legislature
- Parliament of the United Kingdom
- Demonym
- British
- Time zone
- UTC+00:00
- Driving side
- Left
- Calling code
- +44
- Internet TLD
- .uk
- ISO 3166
- GB
- Established
- 1801
- Highest point
- Ben Nevis (1,345 m (4,413 ft))
- National anthem
- God Save the King
Facts via Wikidata.
Economy and developmentHigh income
Human Dev. Index
#13 / 1920.946
World Bank · 2023
GDP
★ #5 / 194$4.00T
World Bank · 2025
GDP per capita
#20 / 194$57.6k
World Bank · 2025
GDP/capita (PPP)
#29 / 191$62.0k
World Bank · 2024
GNI/capita (Atlas)
#20 / 193$54.5k
World Bank · 2025
Life expectancy
#35 / 19581.4 yrs
World Bank · 2024
Median age
39.8 yrs
World Bank · 2023
Urban population
#36 / 19583%
World Bank · 2025
Pop. growth
0.3%
World Bank · 2025
Pop. density
#31 / 194283/km²
World Bank · 2023
Foreign-born
#34 / 19417.1%
World Bank · 2024
Rule of law
#21 / 1750.95
World Bank · 2025
Gini index
#54 / 16732.4
World Bank · 2021
Internet users
#25 / 19495%
World Bank · 2024
Inflation
#120 / 1863.9%
World Bank · 2025
Ranks are among sovereign countries with data; ★ marks a top-5% finish. Sources: World Bank Open Data and Our World in Data (UNDP, UN, V-Dem; CC BY 4.0). Each figure is the most recent year available.
Alliances & Organisations6 full memberships
Full memberDashed border = Candidate / ApplicantItalic = Dialogue / Observer
Leadership History93 leaders · click to expand
Other
👑 King Charles III✦ Current
2022–PresentSovereign
Tenure: 3y 9m 8dWindsor
Harold Macmillan
1957–1963Prime Minister
Tenure: 6y 9m 12dConservative
Home metro: London,Middlesbrough
👑 Queen Elizabeth II
1952–2022Sovereign
Tenure: 70y 7m 12dWindsor
👑 King George VI
1936–1952Sovereign
Tenure: 15y 2m 15dWindsor
👑 King Edward VIII
1936–1936Sovereign
Tenure: 10m 26dWindsor
👑 King George V
1910–1936Sovereign
Tenure: 25y 8mWindsor (renamed from Saxe-Coburg)
👑 King Edward VII
1901–1910Sovereign
Tenure: 9y 3m 1dSaxe-Coburg and Gotha
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquess of Salisbury
1895–1902Prime Minister
Tenure: 7y 17dConservative
Home metro: London
Archibald Primrose, Earl of Rosebery
1894–1895Prime Minister
Tenure: 1y 3m 19dLiberal
Home metro: London
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquess of Salisbury
1886–1892Prime Minister
Tenure: 6y 19dConservative
Home metro: London
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquess of Salisbury
1885–1886Prime Minister
Tenure: 7m 9dConservative
Home metro: London
Edward Henry Smith-Stanley, Earl of Derby
1866–1868Prime Minister
Tenure: 1y 8m 2dConservative
Home metro: London
Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston
1859–1865Prime Minister
Tenure: 6y 4m 10dLiberal
Home metro: London
Edward Henry Smith-Stanley, Earl of Derby
1858–1859Prime Minister
Tenure: 1y 3m 21dConservative
Home metro: London
Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston
1855–1858Prime Minister
Tenure: 3y 14dLiberal
Home metro: London
George Hamilton-Gordon, Earl of Aberdeen
1852–1855Prime Minister
Tenure: 2y 1m 12dConservative/Peelite
Home metro: London
Edward Henry Smith-Stanley, Earl of Derby
1852–1852Prime Minister
Tenure: 9m 28dConservative
Home metro: London
👑 Queen Victoria
1837–1901Sovereign
Tenure: 63y 7m 6dSaxe-Coburg and Gotha
👑 King William IV
1830–1837Sovereign
Tenure: 6y 12m 1dHanover
Frederick John Robinson, Viscount Goderich
1827–1828Prime Minister
Tenure: 4m 10dTory
Home metro: London
👑 King George IV
1820–1830Sovereign
Tenure: 10y 5m 21dHanover
Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of Liverpool
1812–1827Prime Minister
Tenure: 14y 10m 8dTory
Home metro: London
William Wyndham Grenville, Baron Grenville
1806–1807Prime Minister
Tenure: 1y 1m 12dWhig
Home metro: London
Henry Addington, Viscount Sidmouth
1801–1804Prime Minister
Tenure: 3y 1m 25dTory
Home metro: Winchester
William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck
1783–1783Prime Minister
Tenure: 8m 20dTory/Coalition
Home metro: London
Charles Watson-Wentworth, Marquess of Rockingham
1782–1782Prime Minister
Tenure: 3m 6dWhig
Home metro: London
William Pitt the Elder, Earl of Chatham
1766–1768Prime Minister
Tenure: 2y 2m 17dWhig
Home metro: London
Charles Watson-Wentworth, Marquess of Rockingham
1765–1766Prime Minister
Tenure: 1y 17dWhig
Home metro: London
👑 King George III
1760–1820Sovereign
Tenure: 59y 3m 14dHanover
Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle
1757–1762Prime Minister
Tenure: 4y 11m 2dWhig
Home metro: London
Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle
1754–1756Prime Minister
Tenure: 2y 8m 1dWhig
Home metro: London
| Name | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Burnham✦ Current | Prime Minister | 2026–Present |
| Keir Starmer | Prime Minister | 2024–2026 |
| Rishi Sunak | Prime Minister | 2022–2024 |
| 👑 King Charles III✦ Current | Sovereign | 2022–Present |
| Liz Truss | Prime Minister | 2022–2022 |
| Boris Johnson | Prime Minister | 2019–2022 |
| Theresa May | Prime Minister | 2016–2019 |
| David Cameron | Prime Minister | 2010–2016 |
| Gordon Brown | Prime Minister | 2007–2010 |
| Tony Blair | Prime Minister | 1997–2007 |
| John Major | Prime Minister | 1990–1997 |
| Margaret Thatcher | Prime Minister | 1979–1990 |
| James Callaghan | Prime Minister | 1976–1979 |
| Harold Wilson | Prime Minister | 1974–1976 |
| Edward Heath | Prime Minister | 1970–1974 |
| Harold Wilson | Prime Minister | 1964–1970 |
| Alec Douglas-Home | Prime Minister | 1963–1964 |
| Harold Macmillan | Prime Minister | 1957–1963 |
| Anthony Eden | Prime Minister | 1955–1957 |
| 👑 Queen Elizabeth II | Sovereign | 1952–2022 |
| Winston Churchill | Prime Minister | 1951–1955 |
| Clement Attlee | Prime Minister | 1945–1951 |
| Winston Churchill | Prime Minister | 1940–1945 |
| Neville Chamberlain | Prime Minister | 1937–1940 |
| 👑 King George VI | Sovereign | 1936–1952 |
| 👑 King Edward VIII | Sovereign | 1936–1936 |
| Stanley Baldwin | Prime Minister | 1935–1937 |
| Ramsay MacDonald | Prime Minister | 1929–1935 |
| Stanley Baldwin | Prime Minister | 1924–1929 |
| Ramsay MacDonald | Prime Minister | 1924–1924 |
| Stanley Baldwin | Prime Minister | 1923–1924 |
| Andrew Bonar Law | Prime Minister | 1922–1923 |
| David Lloyd George | Prime Minister | 1916–1922 |
| 👑 King George V | Sovereign | 1910–1936 |
| Herbert Henry Asquith | Prime Minister | 1908–1916 |
| Henry Campbell-Bannerman | Prime Minister | 1905–1908 |
| Arthur James Balfour | Prime Minister | 1902–1905 |
| 👑 King Edward VII | Sovereign | 1901–1910 |
| Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquess of Salisbury | Prime Minister | 1895–1902 |
| Archibald Primrose, Earl of Rosebery | Prime Minister | 1894–1895 |
| William Ewart Gladstone | Prime Minister | 1892–1894 |
| Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquess of Salisbury | Prime Minister | 1886–1892 |
| William Ewart Gladstone | Prime Minister | 1886–1886 |
| Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, Marquess of Salisbury | Prime Minister | 1885–1886 |
| William Ewart Gladstone | Prime Minister | 1880–1885 |
| Benjamin Disraeli | Prime Minister | 1874–1880 |
| William Ewart Gladstone | Prime Minister | 1868–1874 |
| Benjamin Disraeli | Prime Minister | 1868–1868 |
| Edward Henry Smith-Stanley, Earl of Derby | Prime Minister | 1866–1868 |
| John Russell, Lord Russell | Prime Minister | 1865–1866 |
| Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston | Prime Minister | 1859–1865 |
| Edward Henry Smith-Stanley, Earl of Derby | Prime Minister | 1858–1859 |
| Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston | Prime Minister | 1855–1858 |
| George Hamilton-Gordon, Earl of Aberdeen | Prime Minister | 1852–1855 |
| Edward Henry Smith-Stanley, Earl of Derby | Prime Minister | 1852–1852 |
| John Russell, Lord Russell | Prime Minister | 1846–1852 |
| Robert Peel | Prime Minister | 1841–1846 |
| 👑 Queen Victoria | Sovereign | 1837–1901 |
| William Lamb, Viscount Melbourne | Prime Minister | 1835–1841 |
| Robert Peel | Prime Minister | 1834–1835 |
| William Lamb, Viscount Melbourne | Prime Minister | 1834–1834 |
| Charles Grey, Earl Grey | Prime Minister | 1830–1834 |
| 👑 King William IV | Sovereign | 1830–1837 |
| Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington | Prime Minister | 1828–1830 |
| Frederick John Robinson, Viscount Goderich | Prime Minister | 1827–1828 |
| George Canning | Prime Minister | 1827–1827 |
| 👑 King George IV | Sovereign | 1820–1830 |
| Robert Banks Jenkinson, Earl of Liverpool | Prime Minister | 1812–1827 |
| Spencer Perceval | Prime Minister | 1809–1812 |
| William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck | Prime Minister | 1807–1809 |
| William Wyndham Grenville, Baron Grenville | Prime Minister | 1806–1807 |
| William Pitt the Younger | Prime Minister | 1804–1806 |
| Henry Addington, Viscount Sidmouth | Prime Minister | 1801–1804 |
| William Pitt the Younger | Prime Minister | 1783–1801 |
| William Henry Cavendish-Bentinck | Prime Minister | 1783–1783 |
| William Petty, Earl of Shelburne | Prime Minister | 1782–1783 |
| Charles Watson-Wentworth, Marquess of Rockingham | Prime Minister | 1782–1782 |
| Frederick North, Lord North | Prime Minister | 1770–1782 |
| Augustus FitzRoy, Duke of Grafton | Prime Minister | 1768–1770 |
| William Pitt the Elder, Earl of Chatham | Prime Minister | 1766–1768 |
| Charles Watson-Wentworth, Marquess of Rockingham | Prime Minister | 1765–1766 |
| George Grenville | Prime Minister | 1763–1765 |
| John Stuart, Earl of Bute | Prime Minister | 1762–1763 |
| 👑 King George III | Sovereign | 1760–1820 |
| Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle | Prime Minister | 1757–1762 |
| William Cavendish, Duke of Devonshire | Prime Minister | 1756–1757 |
| Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle | Prime Minister | 1754–1756 |
| Henry Pelham | Prime Minister | 1743–1754 |
| Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington | Prime Minister | 1742–1743 |
| Robert Walpole | Prime Minister | 1721–1742 |
Great Britain
👑 King George II
1727–1760Sovereign
Tenure: 33y 4m 10dHanover
👑 King George I
1714–1727Sovereign
Tenure: 12y 10m 17dHanover
👑 Queen Anne
1707–1714Sovereign
Tenure: 7y 3m 9dStuart
| Name | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 👑 King George II | Sovereign | 1727–1760 |
| 👑 King George I | Sovereign | 1714–1727 |
| 👑 Queen Anne | Sovereign | 1707–1714 |
Power over timeThe Power Atlas →
Today
Middle Power#3 · 4.5%
Latent vs recognised
Punches above its mass — standing beats material weight
Power (headline share)Latent (material mass)Recognised (standing)
United Kingdom · share of world power, 1701–2026
The powerline is the headline share of world power, running from the state’s first ranked year (benchmark estimates with wide error bars before 1816). Latent power is material mass a state could mobilise (population, manpower, heavy industry). Recognised power is what the system actually treats it as (military spending, productive economy, reach, and status such as a Security Council seat or nuclear arsenal). When latent runs above recognised, a power is rising or under-rated; when recognised runs higher, it is punching above its weight or coasting on prestige. Material sub-indices run 1816 through 2016.
Conflicts since 19456 interstate wars · click to expand
| Conflict | Years | Against | Combat deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States invasion of Afghanistan | 2001 | Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan | 9,550–14,388 |
| Persian Gulf War | 1990–1991 | — | |
| Falklands War | 1982 | Argentina | 907+ |
| Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation | 1963–1966 | Indonesia | 874+ |
| Suez Crisis | 1956 | Egypt | 2,848–4,198 |
| Korean War [ 9 ]● | 1950–1953 | North Korea,China,Soviet Union | 2,568,927–4,096,927 |
Bold = principal belligerent. Source: Wikipedia, “List of interstate wars since 1945.”
Billionaires56 · $298.1B combined · click to expand
#130Michael Platt$20.9B
Finance & InvestmentsHedge funds
#147Nik Storonsky$18.8B
Finance & InvestmentsFintech
#152James Ratcliffe$18.4B
ManufacturingChemicals
#190James Dyson$15.2B
ManufacturingVacuums
#220Dmitri Bukhman$13.6B
Media & EntertainmentOnline games
#220Igor Bukhman$13.6B
Media & EntertainmentOnline games
#225David Reuben$13.4B
Real EstateInvestments, real estate
#225Simon Reuben$13.4B
DiversifiedReal estate, investments
#256Alexander Gerko$12.1B
Finance & InvestmentsTrading
#263Christopher Hohn$11.8B
Finance & InvestmentsHedge funds
Construction & EngineeringConstruction equipment
#424Denise Coates$8.4B
Gambling & CasinosOnline gambling
#562Joe Lewis$7.0B
Finance & InvestmentsInvestments
#570Clive Calder$6.9B
Media & EntertainmentRecord label
#673Andrew Currie$6.1B
ManufacturingChemicals
#675John Reece$6.1B
ManufacturingChemicals
#738Tom Morris$5.6B
Fashion & RetailRetail
#748Michael Ashley$5.6B
Fashion & RetailSports retailing
#794Ian Livingstone$5.3B
Real EstateReal estate
Real EstateReal estate
Fashion & RetailDiamond jewelry
#1003John Caudwell$4.3B
TelecomMobile phones
Finance & InvestmentsFinancial services
#1208Anthony Langley$3.6B
DiversifiedManufacturing
Food & BeverageEnergy drinks
#1302Alan Howard$3.3B
Finance & InvestmentsHedge funds
Real EstateReal estate
#1336John Coates$3.2B
Gambling & CasinosOnline gambling
#1488Richard Branson$2.8B
DiversifiedVirgin
Fashion & RetailFashion retailer
#1552Farhad Moshiri$2.7B
DiversifiedDiversified
#1584Alex Beard$2.6B
Metals & MiningMining, commodities
#1585Andrey Andreev$2.6B
TechnologyOnline dating
SportsFormula One
Finance & InvestmentsHedge fund
#1907Dennis Gillings$2.2B
HealthcareClinical trials
#1956Simon Nixon$2.1B
TechnologyPrice comparison website
#1975John Bloor$2.1B
DiversifiedReal estate, manufacturing
#2065Mark Coombs$2.0B
Finance & InvestmentsFinance
#2084Richard Desmond$2.0B
Media & EntertainmentPublishing
Finance & InvestmentsSecurity
#2112Robert Miller$2.0B
Fashion & RetailRetail
Fashion & RetailSports apparel
Fashion & RetailHome furnishings
#2751Cristina Green$1.4B
Fashion & RetailFashion retail
#2751Philip Green$1.4B
Fashion & RetailFashion retail
#2801Michael Spencer$1.4B
Finance & InvestmentsStock exchange
#2858Mark Dixon$1.3B
Real EstateOffice real estate
#2903Peter Kelly$1.3B
TechnologyI.T.
TelecomCommunications
#2990Ben Francis$1.2B
Fashion & RetailFitness clothing
#3033J.K. Rowling$1.2B
Media & EntertainmentBooks
Finance & InvestmentsPrivate equity
Real EstateReal estate
Food & BeverageConsumer goods
Fashion & RetailTextile
| # | Name | Net worth | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130 | Michael Platt | $20.9B | Finance & Investments |
| 147 | Nik Storonsky | $18.8B | Finance & Investments |
| 152 | James Ratcliffe | $18.4B | Manufacturing |
| 190 | James Dyson | $15.2B | Manufacturing |
| 220 | Dmitri Bukhman | $13.6B | Media & Entertainment |
| 220 | Igor Bukhman | $13.6B | Media & Entertainment |
| 225 | David Reuben | $13.4B | Real Estate |
| 225 | Simon Reuben | $13.4B | Diversified |
| 256 | Alexander Gerko | $12.1B | Finance & Investments |
| 263 | Christopher Hohn | $11.8B | Finance & Investments |
| 359 | Anthony Bamford & family(inherited) | $9.4B | Construction & Engineering |
| 424 | Denise Coates | $8.4B | Gambling & Casinos |
| 562 | Joe Lewis | $7.0B | Finance & Investments |
| 570 | Clive Calder | $6.9B | Media & Entertainment |
| 673 | Andrew Currie | $6.1B | Manufacturing |
| 675 | John Reece | $6.1B | Manufacturing |
| 738 | Tom Morris | $5.6B | Fashion & Retail |
| 748 | Michael Ashley | $5.6B | Fashion & Retail |
| 794 | Ian Livingstone | $5.3B | Real Estate |
| 794 | Richard Livingstone | $5.3B | Real Estate |
| 945 | Laurence Graff & family | $4.5B | Fashion & Retail |
| 1003 | John Caudwell | $4.3B | Telecom |
| 1154 | Peter Hargreaves | $3.7B | Finance & Investments |
| 1208 | Anthony Langley | $3.6B | Diversified |
| 1214 | Hilton Schlosberg & family | $3.6B | Food & Beverage |
| 1302 | Alan Howard | $3.3B | Finance & Investments |
| 1317 | Maritsa Lazari & family | $3.2B | Real Estate |
| 1336 | John Coates | $3.2B | Gambling & Casinos |
| 1488 | Richard Branson | $2.8B | Diversified |
| 1500 | Bernard Lewis & family | $2.8B | Fashion & Retail |
| 1552 | Farhad Moshiri | $2.7B | Diversified |
| 1584 | Alex Beard | $2.6B | Metals & Mining |
| 1585 | Andrey Andreev | $2.6B | Technology |
| 1594 | Bernard Ecclestone & family | $2.6B | Sports |
| 1827 | Christopher Rokos | $2.3B | Finance & Investments |
| 1907 | Dennis Gillings | $2.2B | Healthcare |
| 1956 | Simon Nixon | $2.1B | Technology |
| 1975 | John Bloor | $2.1B | Diversified |
| 2065 | Mark Coombs | $2.0B | Finance & Investments |
| 2084 | Richard Desmond | $2.0B | Media & Entertainment |
| 2097 | Michael Ashcroft | $2.0B | Finance & Investments |
| 2112 | Robert Miller | $2.0B | Fashion & Retail |
| 2370 | Stephen Rubin & family(inherited) | $1.7B | Fashion & Retail |
| 2413 | Will Adderley(inherited) | $1.7B | Fashion & Retail |
| 2751 | Cristina Green | $1.4B | Fashion & Retail |
| 2751 | Philip Green | $1.4B | Fashion & Retail |
| 2801 | Michael Spencer | $1.4B | Finance & Investments |
| 2858 | Mark Dixon | $1.3B | Real Estate |
| 2903 | Peter Kelly | $1.3B | Technology |
| 2981 | Mohammed Ibrahim | $1.3B | Telecom |
| 2990 | Ben Francis | $1.2B | Fashion & Retail |
| 3033 | J.K. Rowling | $1.2B | Media & Entertainment |
| 3041 | Donald Mackenzie | $1.2B | Finance & Investments |
| 3097 | John Christodoulou | $1.2B | Real Estate |
| 3104 | Saket Burman(inherited) | $1.2B | Food & Beverage |
| 3117 | Kenneth Lo(inherited) | $1.2B | Fashion & Retail |
Source: Forbes real-time billionaires (via the rtb-api project). Net worth as of the latest monthly snapshot.
National Teams
Great Britain competes as one at the Olympics and in a handful of other sports, while England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland field separate sides in football, rugby and more (Ireland's all-island teams cover Northern Ireland).
Olympics
Great Britain
Games 49
Medals 1,058
All-time #5
Summer #1 (G/M) 1/1
329 golds
Rugby League
Great Britain
Runner-up 4
Semis 2
Best Champions
3 World Cups
Ice Hockey
Great Britain
IIHF #18
All-time #7
Oly medals 2
Worlds golds 1
1 Olympic gold
Basketball
Great Britain
FIBA #46
Oly medals 0
WC apps 0
No Olympic golds
FIBA-ranked; no Olympic or World Cup honours yet
Baseball
Great Britain
WBSC #20
WBC apps 2
Record 2-6
Best First round
No WBC titles
England
Men's FootballUEFA
England
FIFA #4
ELO #3
WC apps 17
Major trophies 1
1 World Cup
Rugby UnionSix Nations
England
World #5
6N titles 40
Tests 786
1 World Cup
CricketFull Member
England
Test #5
ODI #8
T20I #1
Major titles 3
Matches 2,150
1 World Cup2 T20 World Cups
Rugby League
England
Runner-up 3
Semis 4
Best Runners-up
No World Cups
Women's Football
England
2025 UEFA Women's Championship
FIFA #4
WWC apps 6
Best Runner-up
No World Cups
Scotland
Wales
Rugby UnionSix Nations
Wales
World #11
6N titles 39
Tests 737
No World Cups
CricketFull Member
England
Test #5
ODI #8
T20I #1
Major titles 3
Matches 2,150
1 World Cup2 T20 World Cups
England & Wales (ECB) represents both nations
Men's FootballUEFA
Wales
FIFA #38
ELO #48
WC apps 2
No World Cups
Rugby League
Wales
Semis 3
Best Semi-finalist
No World Cups
Northern Ireland
National Teams Champions
Every major championship won by United Kingdom's national teams, newest first. 112 in total.
Constituents and territories
16 entries listed under United Kingdom. Click any to see its own metros.
Political leadership
The Crown, Prime Minister, Cabinet & Parliament →
Who holds power today, with a time machine back through history.
Elections
Every general election since 1802 →
Fifty-eight contests: seats, swings, turnout, referendums and the devolved map.
United Kingdom metro footprint
181 metrosLoading map…
181 polygons
Polygons shaded by composite tier. Hover for rank, click to open the metro page. Boundaries derived from Overture Maps administrative divisions; metros without source coverage are omitted.
181 tracked metros
180.6
16.2MGlobal Capital