China vs United Kingdom
Population, economy and geography side by side
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China has 20.1 times as many people as United Kingdom (1.40 billion vs 69.8 million in 2026). China is 38.8 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in United Kingdom ($57,602 vs $13,862). People live longer on average in United Kingdom (81.4 vs 78.0 years).
| China | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 1,403,496,576 | 69,833,560 |
| Yearly population change | −0.22% | +0.50% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 1.24 billion | 74.9 million |
| Land area | 9,388,210 km² | 241,930 km² |
| Density | 149/km² | 289/km² |
| GDP | $19.50 trillion (2025) | $4.00 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 (2025) | $57,602 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 years | 81.4 years |
| Births per woman | 1.01 | 1.55 |
| Urban population | 66% | 83% |
| Capital | Beijing | London |
| Currency | renminbi (CNY) | pound sterling (GBP) |
| Calling code | +86 | +44 |
Share of world population: China 16.94%, United Kingdom 0.84%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, China or United Kingdom?
China: about 1.40 billion people versus 69.8 million in United Kingdom (2026).
Is China bigger than United Kingdom?
By land area, China is larger: 9,388,210 km² versus 241,930 km².
Which economy is bigger, China or United Kingdom?
China, with a GDP of $19.50 trillion versus $4.00 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).