Introduction
Background
The United Kingdom played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. With the dismantling of the Empire, the UK rebuilt itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1998.
Geography
Area
total: 243,610 sq km
land: 241,930 sq km
water: 1,680 sq km
Climate
temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
Natural resources
coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
People and Society
Population
68,138,484 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
White 87.2%, Black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Languages
English
Religions
Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, other 2%, unspecified 7.2%, none 25.7% (2011 est.)
Population growth rate
0.49% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital
name: London
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); Heir Apparent Prince WILLIAM (son of the king, born 21 June 1982); note - CHARLES succeeded his mother, Queen ELIZABETH II, after serving as Prince of Wales (heir apparent) for over 64 years - the longest such tenure in British history
head of government: Prime Minister Rishi SUNAK (Conservative) (since 25 October 2022)
Legislative branch
description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
House of Lords (membership not fixed; as of October 2023, 778 lords were eligible to participate in the work of the House of Lords - 663 life peers, 90 hereditary peers, and 25 clergy; members are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister and non-party political members recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission); note - House of Lords total does not include ineligible members or members on leave of absence
House of Commons (650 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 5-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier)
Economy
Economic overview
high-income, diversified non-EU European economy; sixth-largest importer and exporter; global financial and diplomatic leader; nominal consumption-led growth; high inflation and increased interest rates eroding purchasing power despite real wage growth
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.136 trillion (2022 est.)
$3.028 trillion (2021 est.)
$2.816 trillion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$46,800 (2022 est.)
$45,000 (2021 est.)
$42,000 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
wheat, milk, barley, sugar beets, potatoes, rapeseed, poultry, oats, pork, beef
Industries
machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, other consumer goods
Remittances
0.11% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.12% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.15% of GDP (2019 est.)
Exports
$874.5 billion (2021 est.)
$791.7 billion (2020 est.)
$893.1 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
United States 13%, Germany 9%, Netherlands 8%, Ireland 7%, Switzerland 6% (2021)
Exports - commodities
cars, gold, gas turbines, crude petroleum, packaged medicines (2021)
Imports
$898.719 billion (2021 est.)
$783.438 billion (2020 est.)
$939.349 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
China 13%, Germany 11%, United States 8%, Netherlands 6%, Norway 5% (2021)
Imports - commodities
gold, cars, natural gas, crude petroleum, packaged medicines (2021)
Exchange rates
British pounds (GBP) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
0.727 (2021 est.)
0.78 (2020 est.)
0.783 (2019 est.)
0.75 (2018 est.)
0.777 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
