The US is significantly larger by geography (3.8M vs 0.24M sq mi), population (331M vs 67M), and economy ($27.4T vs $3.1T GDP), while the UK has higher population density (275 vs 36 people/sq mi) and universal healthcare coverage. The US maintains greater global military and economic influence, whereas the UK operates a more centralized parliamentary system.
United Kingdom vs United States — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Federal republic with the world's largest economy and military superpower status.
Island nation in Western Europe comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland with a parliamentary monarchy and 67.6 million people.
Total GDP. Land Area. Population. Healthcare System. Population Density. Government Type. Military Spending
Choose the United States if you prioritize economic scale, geographic diversity, and military influence with greater individual freedoms but accept private healthcare costs. Choose the United Kingdom if you value universal healthcare access, higher population density with walkable communities, established cultural heritage, and a stable parliamentary system with lower military expenditure.
United States of America: $28.7 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $31.82 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 22.73% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 6.31x higher | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: Emerging leader, <30% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: ~15% | United Kingdom: N/A
Combined Global Economic Share (Nominal)
United States of America: 42.46% (combined US-China) | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $89,000+ | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 23.6% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 18% | United Kingdom: N/A
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
United States of America: 6% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 2.5% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: €10,266.8B | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: €925,796.8M | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: €3,981 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 20% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $27.6 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $821 billion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 57 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 6,300 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: Advanced semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, defense tech | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $15.29 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $94,800 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 2.0-2.5% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: ~18% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $30.1 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 2.0–2.5% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: <5% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 4.5% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $76,398 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 16% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $2.9T | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $820 billion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 3.4% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 743 km | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 9.8 million km² | United Kingdom: 0.24 million sq mi
United States of America: 36 people/sq mi | United Kingdom: 275 people/sq mi
United States of America: $12,914 per capita | United Kingdom: $4,986 per capita
United States of America: 4.7 per 100k | United Kingdom: 1.2 per 100k
United States of America: 0.41 | United Kingdom: 0.35
United States of America: 1,290 thousand | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 1,770 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 27 universities | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $384 billion (2023) | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $27.3 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 614,000 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 707 GW | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 4.7 physicians | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $27.36 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 371.8 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $27.3 trillion | United Kingdom: $3.1 trillion
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 6.3 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $11,945 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 2.1 billion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 79.3 million | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 735 km | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 61% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 335 million | United Kingdom: 67 million
United States of America: 78.4 years | United Kingdom: 81.8
United States of America: 5.0 billion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $2.1 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 312 million | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $28.5T | United Kingdom: N/A
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024-2026)
United States of America: 2.25% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $84,000 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 206M | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 1st | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: AI, semiconductors, cloud computing | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 82% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 814,340 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 8.5% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 16% of global | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $820 billion | United Kingdom: $68 billion
United States of America: 635,000 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 2.1% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 26.3% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $285 billion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 59% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 128% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 78.9 years | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 99.0% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 4.1% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $74,580 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $820B | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 91% | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $0.13 trillion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $27.4T | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 335 million | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 0.921 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: 605,000 | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: $848 billion | United Kingdom: N/A
United States of America: N/A | United Kingdom: $3.1 Trillion
How to choose between United States of America and United Kingdom
Compare United States of America vs United Kingdom
United Kingdom vs United States — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for United Kingdom vs United States. Contains 104 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
United Kingdom vs United States — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for United Kingdom vs United States.
The UK's NHS provides universal coverage to 100% of the population at no point-of-service cost, funded through taxes ($4,986 per capita). The US spends 2.6x more per capita ($12,914) but leaves 27 million uninsured, though Americans often access cutting-edge treatments faster. UK patients face 4.3-week waits for non-urgent procedures. Choose UK for guaranteed coverage; choose US if you have insurance and prioritize immediate access to specialists.
The US economy is 8.8x larger ($27.4T vs $3.1T GDP), driven by tech dominance (Apple, Microsoft, Google), finance, and manufacturing. The UK's economy relies on financial services (London banking sector = 8% of GDP), pharmaceuticals, and creative industries. US GDP per capita is $82,200 vs UK's $47,100, reflecting higher productivity but also greater inequality.
The UK is significantly safer: violent crime rate is 1.2 per 100,000 people vs 4.7 in the US (4x higher). UK has stricter gun control (16,500 guns per 100k people vs US 120,500 per 100k). However, both are safer than most developing nations. Major US cities vary widely in safety; rural UK areas and urban centers like London offer comparable security.
Which country offers better quality of life?
Quality of life depends on priorities. UK ranks higher in: universal healthcare access, public transportation, walkability, lower crime, and work-life balance (28 vacation days vs 21 in US). US ranks higher in: income potential, homeownership rates (65% vs 63%), home sizes (2,100 sq ft vs 860 sq ft), and career mobility. UK has lower income inequality (Gini 0.35 vs 0.41).
US: Federal presidential republic with separation of powers, 50 states, 435-seat House, 100-seat Senate, elected 4-year presidency. Checks and balances prevent single-party dominance but cause gridlock. UK: Parliamentary constitutional monarchy with unitary government, Prime Minister elected by Parliament (not direct vote), 650-seat House of Commons, no formal term limits. Typically more legislative efficiency but less separation of powers.
How to Choose Between United States of America and United Kingdom
Total GDP: United States of America has $27.4 trillion, while United Kingdom has $3.1 trillion.
Land Area: United States of America has 3.8 million sq mi, while United Kingdom has 0.24 million sq mi.
Population: United States of America has 331 million, while United Kingdom has 67 million.
Healthcare System: United States of America has Mixed (employer/private/Medicare/Medicaid), while United Kingdom has Universal NHS (tax-funded).
Population Density: United States of America has 36 people/sq mi, while United Kingdom has 275 people/sq mi.
Government Type: United States of America has Federal Presidential Republic, while United Kingdom has Parliamentary Constitutional Monarchy.
Military Spending: United States of America has $820 billion (3.3% GDP), while United Kingdom has $68 billion (2.1% GDP).