The following is a comparison between Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK), two neighbouring countries in Europe. Let’s read.
Republic of Ireland and UK – country comparison
Which country is bigger, Ireland or the UK?
The United Kingdom is roughly 3.5 times larger than the Republic of Ireland.
- Area of Ireland – 70,273 sq km
- Area of the UK – 243,610 sq km
Which country is more populous, Ireland or the UK?
The UK is both more populous and more densely populated than Ireland.
- Population of Ireland – 5.3 million (2025 estimate)
- Population of the UK – 69.6 million (2025 estimate)
GDP comparison
| Ireland | UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Euro | Pound sterling |
| GDP (nominal) | $577.22 billion | $3.64 trillion |
| GDP per capita | $106.46 thousand | $52.65 thousand |
| GDP (PPP) | $701.8 billion | $4.29 trillion |
Life
| Ireland | UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (2023/UN) | 82.41 | 81.3 |
| Human Development Index rank (2023) | 11th | 13th |
| Human Development Index value | 0.949 | 0.946 |
Comparison table
| Ireland | UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 70,273 sq km | 243,610 sq km |
| Population | 5.3 million (2025 estimate) | 69.6 million (2025 estimate) |
| Capital city | Dublin | London |
| Largest city | Dublin | London |
| Largest metropolitan area | Greater Dublin | Greater London |
| Most spoken language | English | English |
| Most popular sport | Gaelic football | Football |
| Highest mountain | Carrauntoohil (1,039 m/3,408 ft) | Ben Nevis (1,345 m/4,413 ft) |
| Largest lake | Lough Corrib | Lough Neagh |
| Forest cover (2022) | 11.5% | 13.3% |
| International tourist arrivals (2023) | 6.3 million | 37.2 million |
| Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 2 | 35 |
| Busiest airport | Dublin Airport | London Heathrow Airport |
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