France vs United Kingdom
Population, economy and geography side by side
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United Kingdom has 1.0 million more people than France (69.8 million vs 68.8 million in 2026). France is 2.2 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in United Kingdom ($57,602 vs $48,986). People live longer on average in France (83.0 vs 81.4 years).
| France | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 68,802,696 | 69,833,560 |
| Yearly population change | +0.12% | +0.50% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 69.7 million | 74.9 million |
| Land area | 538,950 km² | 241,930 km² |
| Density | 128/km² | 289/km² |
| GDP | $3.37 trillion (2025) | $4.00 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $48,986 (2025) | $57,602 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 83.0 years | 81.4 years |
| Births per woman | 1.61 | 1.55 |
| Urban population | 79% | 83% |
| Capital | Paris | London |
| Currency | euro (EUR) | pound sterling (GBP) |
| Calling code | +33 | +44 |
Share of world population: France 0.83%, United Kingdom 0.84%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, France or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom: about 69.8 million people versus 68.8 million in France (2026).
Is France bigger than United Kingdom?
By land area, France is larger: 538,950 km² versus 241,930 km².
Which economy is bigger, France or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom, with a GDP of $4.00 trillion versus $3.37 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
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).