Russia vs United Kingdom
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Russia has 2.1 times as many people as United Kingdom (143 million vs 69.8 million in 2026). Russia is 67.7 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in United Kingdom ($57,602 vs $17,547). People live longer on average in United Kingdom (81.4 vs 73.4 years).
| Russia | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 143,292,448 | 69,833,560 |
| Yearly population change | −0.15% | +0.50% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 137 million | 74.9 million |
| Land area | 16,376,870 km² | 241,930 km² |
| Density | 9/km² | 289/km² |
| GDP | $2.56 trillion (2025) | $4.00 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 (2025) | $57,602 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 years | 81.4 years |
| Births per woman | 1.42 | 1.55 |
| Urban population | 75% | 83% |
| Capital | Moscow | London |
| Currency | Russian ruble (RUB) | pound sterling (GBP) |
| Calling code | +7 | +44 |
Share of world population: Russia 1.73%, United Kingdom 0.84%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Russia or United Kingdom?
Russia: about 143 million people versus 69.8 million in United Kingdom (2026).
Is Russia bigger than United Kingdom?
By land area, Russia is larger: 16,376,870 km² versus 241,930 km².
Which economy is bigger, Russia or United Kingdom?
United Kingdom, with a GDP of $4.00 trillion versus $2.56 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
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).