The United States of America is a large country in North America. The United Kingdom is an island nation in Europe. The following is a comparison between the USA and the UK. Let’s read.
USA and UK – country comparison
Flags
GDP
• The United States has a larger GDP and a higher GDP per capita than the United Kingdom.
2025 (IMF)
USA
UK
Currency
United States Dollar
Pound sterling
GDP (nominal, USD)
$30.77 trillion
$4 trillion
GDP per capita (nominal, USD)
$89.99 thousand
$57.61 thousand
GDP (PPP, international $)
$30.77 trillion
$4.55 trillion
GDP per capita (PPP, international $)
$89.99 thousand
$65.52 thousand
Population
2025 estimate
USA
UK
Population
347.3 million
69.6 million
Population aged 0-14
17%
17%
Population aged 15-64
65%
63%
Population aged 65 and older
18%
20%
Total fertility rate, per woman
1.6
1.5
Life
USA
UK
Life expectancy at birth (2023/UN)
79.3
81.3
Human Development Index rank (2023)
17th
13th
Human Development Index value
0.938
0.946
Overview
• The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world. It is more than 40 times larger than the UK.
• The USA is more populous compared to the UK. However, the population density in the UK is higher.
USA (United States of America)
UK (United Kingdom)
Area
approximately 9.8 million sq km
approximately 243,600 sq km
Population
347.3 million (2025 estimate)
69.6 million (2025 estimate)
Capital city
Washington, D.C.
London
Largest city
New York City
London
Largest metropolitan area
New York metropolitan area (Tri-State area)
London metropolitan area
Most spoken language
English
English
Most popular sport
American football
Football (soccer)
New York, the largest city in the US
Geography
USA
UK
Continent
North America
Europe
Forest cover (2023)
33.9%
13.3%
Total number of time zones
11
9
Highest mountain peak
Denali/Mount McKinley (6,190 m/20,310 ft)
Ben Nevis (1,345 m/4,413 ft)
Largest island
Hawaii Island
Great Britain
Largest lake
Lake Superior (shared with Canada); Lake Michigan (entirely within the United States)
Lough Neagh
Major rivers
Missouri, Mississippi, Yukon, Rio Grande, Arkansas, Colorado, etc.
Thames, Trent, Severn, Great Ouse, Wye, Tay, etc.
Tourism
USA
UK
International tourist arrivals
72.4 million (2024)
41.8 million (2024)
Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites
26
35
Popular places to visit
New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Yellowstone National Park, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon, etc.
London, Stonehenge, Bath, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Giant’s Causeway, Scottish Highlands, etc.
