Australia and United Kingdom Economies: A Side-by-Side Table Comparison

In comparing Australia and the United Kingdom, key indicators reveal interesting contrasts: the UK has a population 2.58 times larger, while Australia boasts a land area 32 times greater. Australia’s GDP per capita exceeds the UK’s by 41%, yet its military budget is 43% smaller. Imports and exports also show distinct patterns, with Australia relying heavily on raw materials.

Basic Indicators

Indicator	Australia	United Kingdom	Comparison
Population source (2022 data), updated 2024	26.01 million (54th)	66.97 million (21st)	The population of the United Kingdom is approximately 2.58 times larger than that of Australia.
Surface area (sq. km) source (2022 data), updated 2024	7.74 million sq. km (6th)	0.24 million sq. km (77th)	Australia is 32.2 times larger than the United Kingdom.
GDP source (2022 data), updated 2024	1,692.96B USD (12th)	3,089.07B USD (6th)	Country B total GDP is 1.82 times larger than Country A.
GDP per capita source (2022 data), updated 2024	$65,100 (13th)	46,125 USD (26th)	Australia’s GDP per capita is roughly 41% higher than the United Kingdom’s, with Australians producing about $18,974 more per person annually.

Economic Indexes

Index	Australia	United Kingdom	Comparison
HDI (Human Development Index) source (2022 data), updated 2024	0.946 (10th)	0.94 (15th)	Australia’s HDI is 0.946 (very high), while the United Kingdom’s is 0.940 (very high). Australia’s score is 0.006 higher, indicating a slightly better human development overall.
Index of Economic Freedom source (2024 data)	76.2 (12th)	68.6 (29th)	Australia’s Index of Economic Freedom is 11.6 points higher than the United Kingdom’s, reflecting a difference of approximately 17%.
GINI source (2022 data), updated 2024	34.3 (2018 est.)	32.6 (2020 est.)	With a 5.2% higher Gini coefficient, Australia has a higher degree of income inequality than the United Kingdom.

International trade _{source(2023 data), updated 2024}

Indicator	Australia	United Kingdom
Total imports	363.57B USD	1.12T
Imports % of GDP	19.71%	36.09%
Main import partners	China 28%, US 10%, South Korea 6%, Japan 6%, Singapore 5%	China 12%, Germany 10%, US 10%, Norway 8%, Netherlands 5%
Main import items	refined petroleum, cars, garments, trucks, plastic products	natural gas, cars, crude petroleum, gold, garments
Total exports	447.51B USD	1.08T
Exports % of GDP	25.43%	33.43%
Main export Partners	China 29%, Japan 19%, South Korea 10%, India 7%, Taiwan 6%	US 13%, Netherlands 9%, Germany 9%, China 8%, Ireland 7%
Main export items	coal, iron ore, natural gas, gold, wheat	gold, cars, gas turbines, crude petroleum, packaged medicine

Australia’s imports are about a third of the UK’s, and Australia imports 46% less of its GDP compared to the UK. Australia’s exports are $447.51B, focusing on raw materials, while the UK’s $1.08T exports are more diverse and advanced.

Military Power _{source (2023 data), updated 2024}

Indicator	Australia	United Kingdom
Military expenditure	32.3B USD	74.9B USD
Military expenditure (% of GDP)	1.90%	2.23%
Active military	59k	196k
Active military per 1,000 capita	3.8	4.2

Australia’s military expenditure is approximately 43% lower than the United Kingdom’s, with a budget of $32.34 billion compared to the UK’s $74.94 billion, while Australia allocates a smaller percentage of its GDP (1.90%) to defense compared to the UK’s 2.23%.