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Europe & Central Asia

Living in United Kingdom

Among the 116 countries we cover, United Kingdom stands out most for civil freedoms and governance. Its weakest dimension is affordability.

Capital
London
Population
69.5M (2025)
World Bank income group
High income

Key figures

Price level (US = 100)
89Lower means cheaper than the US · 2025
Life expectancy (years)
81.4At birth · 2024
Homicides per 100,000 people
1.1Per 100,000 people per year · 2021
People using the internet
95.5%Share of the population · 2024

Scores by dimension

0–100, relative to the 116 countries we cover (100 = best in our set).

Affordability
15 / 100
Safety
67 / 100
Healthcare
80 / 100
Governance
76 / 100
Civil freedoms
85 / 100
Digital access
93 / 100
Economy
87 / 100
  • Affordability#104 of 116
  • Safety#47 of 116
  • Healthcare#28 of 116
  • Governance#20 of 116
  • Civil freedoms#17 of 116
  • Digital access#25 of 116
  • Economy#27 of 116

The underlying data

Indicators for United Kingdom, with the year each value refers to
IndicatorValueYear
Price level (US = 100)WDI · NY.GDP.PCAP.CD / NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD892025
GDP per personWDI · NY.GDP.PCAP.CDUS$57,6022025
GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP)WDI · NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CDInt$64,6072025
Unemployment rateWDI · SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS4.8%2025
Inflation (consumer prices)WDI · FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG3.9%2025
Life expectancy (years)WDI · SP.DYN.LE00.IN81.42024
Doctors per 1,000 peopleWDI · SH.MED.PHYS.ZS3.32023
Health spending per personWDI · SH.XPD.CHEX.PC.CDUS$5,8602024
Homicides per 100,000 peopleWDI · VC.IHR.PSRC.P51.12021
People using the internetWDI · IT.NET.USER.ZS95.5%2024
Political stability (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_PV.SC712025
Rule of law (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_RL.SC802025
Government effectiveness (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_GE.SC782025
Control of corruption (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_CC.SC792025
Voice and accountability (0–100)WGI · GOV_WGI_VA.SC812025
PopulationWDI · SP.POP.TOTL69.5M2025

Sources: World Bank World Development Indicators (updated July 13, 2026) and Worldwide Governance Indicators (updated September 25, 2026), CC BY 4.0. We show the most recent year available for each figure. How we score

United Kingdom: common questions

Is United Kingdom expensive to live in?

The World Bank price level for United Kingdom is 89 (US = 100) in 2025, which places it #104 of 116 countries for affordability in our data. This is a national average. Big cities, housing and imported goods can cost much more.

How safe is United Kingdom?

United Kingdom recorded 1.1 intentional homicides per 100,000 people (2021). Its World Bank political stability score is 71 out of 100 (2025). National figures hide local differences, so check your government's current travel advice for specific areas.

What is healthcare like in United Kingdom?

Life expectancy at birth in United Kingdom is 81.4 years (2024). There are 3.3 doctors per 1,000 people (2023). Access for foreign residents depends on your visa, residency status and insurance, so confirm what coverage you'd be entitled to.

Do I need a visa to move to United Kingdom?

It depends on your citizenship, purpose and length of stay, and the rules change often. We don't give visa advice. Check the official immigration authority or embassy of United Kingdom for the current requirements.