The following is a comparison between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK), two neighbouring countries in Europe. Let’s read.
Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom – country comparison
GDP
The United Kingdom has a larger GDP, while Ireland has a higher GDP per capita. Both countries have highly developed economies with major strengths in technology, financial services, and manufacturing. The table below compares the GDP and GDP per capita of Ireland and the United Kingdom.
| 2025 (IMF) | Ireland | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | Euro | Pound sterling |
| GDP (nominal, USD) | $718.14 billion | $4 trillion |
| GDP per capita (nominal, USD) | $130.65 thousand | $57.61 thousand |
| GDP (PPP, international $) | $838.95 billion | $4.55 trillion |
| GDP per capita (PPP, international $) | $152.63 thousand | $65.52 thousand |
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Population
The United Kingdom is both more populous and more densely populated than Ireland. The table below compares the population, total fertility rate (TFR), and the percentage of the population in different age groups in the two countries.
| 2025 estimate | Ireland | UK |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 5.3 million | 69.6 million |
| Population aged 0-14 | 18% | 17% |
| Population aged 15-64 | 66% | 63% |
| Population aged 65 and older | 16% | 20% |
| Total fertility rate, per woman | 1.6 | 1.5 |
Source: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
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 |
Overview
The United Kingdom is approximately 3.5 times larger than the Republic of Ireland in terms of total area.
| 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 (Soccer) |
Geography
| Ireland | UK | |
|---|---|---|
| Continent | Europe | Europe |
| Forest cover (2023) | 11.5% | 13.3% |
| Total number of time zones | 1 | 9 |
| Highest mountain | Carrauntoohil (1,039 m/3,408 ft) | Ben Nevis (1,345 m/4,413 ft) |
| Largest lake by area | Lough Corrib | Lough Neagh |
Tourism
| Ireland | UK | |
|---|---|---|
| International tourist arrivals | 6.6 million (2024) | 38.2 million (2024) |
| Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 2 | 35 |
| Busiest airport | Dublin Airport | London Heathrow Airport |
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