United Kingdom: economy and key statistics
United Kingdom is number 5 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $4.00 trillion in 2025. GDP per person is $57,602. The economy grew by 1.4% in 2025. Unemployment is 4.7%. The economy is 73% services, 16% industry, 1% agriculture. In 311 Institute directories: 292 R&D labs, 274 startups, 293 investors, 149 Titans.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
United Kingdom is number 4 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 70.5 out of 100: economic 84, technology 71, military 52 and human capital 72.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $4.00 trillion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $4.49 trillion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $57,602 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +1.4% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 3.9% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 4.7% | 2025 |
| Population | 69.5 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 35.4 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 73% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 16% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 8% | 2025 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 1% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 31% | 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment | 1.9% of GDP | 2025 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 29% | 2024 |
| R&D spending | 2.68% of GDP | 2023 |
| Internet users | 95% of people | 2024 |
R&D labs
Largest companies in United Kingdom
- Shell (#14)
- BP (#27)
- HSBC (#112)
- Morgan Stanley (#114)
- KPMG (#182)
- International Airlines Group (#197)
- Linde Group (#204)
- BAE Systems (#228)
- Diageo (#246)
- Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (#311)
- TechnipFMC plc (#579)
- Willis Towers Watson plc (#587)
- Arm Holdings plc (#950)
Startups in United Kingdom
- 22Cans
- Antimatter Games
- AppyParking
- Bark
- Beamery
- Beauty Pie
- Blazing Griffin
- Bluecrest Wellness
- Bookitbee
- BossAlien
- Carspring
- Clario
- D3T
- Daytrip
- DnaNudge
- Dxcover Limited
- Elliptic
- Faculty
- First Light Fusion
- First Touch Games
Investors in United Kingdom
- 3i
- DN Capital
- Seedcamp
- Balderton Capital
- Atomico
- Apax Partners
- Duke Street Capital
- HgCapital
- Sun Capital Partners UK
- SyndicateRoom
- Entrepreneurs First
- Business Growth Fund
- Abingworth
- Permira
- M&G Investments
- John Laing plc
- ENIC Group
- Universities Superannuation Scheme
- JPMorgan American Investment Trust
- JPMorgan Japanese Investment Trust
Main export industries
United Kingdom exported goods worth about $520.2bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors: $89.9bn (17.3% of goods exports)
- Natural, cultured pearls: $81.5bn (15.7% of goods exports)
- Vehicles: $48.2bn (9.3% of goods exports)
- Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation: $41.2bn (7.9% of goods exports)
- Electrical machinery and equipment: $30.0bn (5.8% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in Europe
- Germany (#3)
- France (#7)
- Russia (#8)
- Italy (#9)
- Spain (#12)
- Türkiye (#16)
- Netherlands (#18)
- Switzerland (#20)
- Poland (#21)
- Belgium (#22)
- Ireland (#23)
- Sweden (#25)
- Austria (#28)
- Norway (#31)
- Denmark (#35)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of United Kingdom?
United Kingdom had a GDP of $4.00 trillion in 2025, ranking number 5 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in United Kingdom?
GDP per person in United Kingdom was $57,602 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of United Kingdom growing?
The economy of United Kingdom grew by 1.4% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
© 311 Institute 2026. Facts from Wikidata (CC0) and the sources linked on this page. The selection, classification and links are the proprietary work of the 311 Institute, protected by copyright and database rights.