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Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
United Kingdom: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
United Kingdom is placed 26th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 53,993 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 30.22 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
26th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 53,993GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 30.22Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- 1.246Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 99.28Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place United Kingdom on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
53,993
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
United Kingdom: 53,993. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Northern Europe
- 131,338 Ireland
- Land neighbours
- Ireland 131,338
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · United Kingdom’s is from 2024 · CC BY 4.0
30.22
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
United Kingdom: 30.22. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Northern Europe
- 68.72 Denmark
- Land neighbours
- Ireland 42.74
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
1.246
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 12th of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
United Kingdom: 1.246. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Northern Europe
- 1.246 United Kingdom
- Land neighbours
- Ireland 1.193
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
99.28
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
United Kingdom: 99.28. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Northern Europe
- 99.85 Iceland
- Land neighbours
- Ireland 98.29
02Over time
Which way United Kingdom is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
United KingdomWorld median
United Kingdom rose from 43,818 in 2000 to 53,993 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year United Kingdom World median 2025 53,993 17,265 2024 53,412 18,108 2023 53,423 17,686 2022 53,980 16,933 2021 51,840 16,260 2020 47,931 15,631 2019 53,374 16,761 2018 52,983 16,349 2017 52,429 16,129 2016 51,168 15,512 2015 50,463 14,857 2014 49,763 14,475 2013 48,601 14,681 2012 48,100 14,631 2011 47,714 13,916 2010 47,683 14,101 2009 46,996 13,655 2008 49,629 14,030 2007 50,046 13,755 2006 49,001 12,983 2005 48,305 12,023 2004 47,317 11,608 2003 46,505 11,183 2002 45,265 11,144 2001 44,694 10,907 2000 43,818 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
United KingdomWorld median
United Kingdom fell from 1.4 in 2000 to 1.246 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year United Kingdom World median 2024 1.246 0.1310 2023 1.379 0.0710 2022 1.397 0.0580 2021 1.378 0.0010 2020 1.293 0.0470 2019 1.309 0.0300 2018 1.291 -0.0150 2017 1.278 0.0080 2016 1.318 -0.0660 2015 1.345 -0.0600 2014 1.310 -0.0190 2013 1.322 0.0140 2012 1.323 0.0060 2011 1.382 -0.0140 2010 1.332 -0.0020 2009 1.309 0.0990 2008 1.302 0.0700 2007 1.312 -0.0080 2006 1.316 0.0740 2005 1.303 0.0510 2004 1.362 0.0505 2003 1.394 0.0450 2002 1.426 0.0100 2001 1.421 0.0470 2000 1.400 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
United KingdomWorld median
United Kingdom rose from 97.2 in 2011 to 99.28 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year United Kingdom World median 2024 99.3 73 2021 99.8 74 2017 96.4 59 2014 98.9 52 2011 97.2 37
03In context
United Kingdom beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
United Kingdom and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Ireland | 19th | 131,338 | 42.74 | 1.193 | 98.29 |
| United Kingdom | 26th | 53,993 | 30.22 | 1.246 | 99.28 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below United Kingdom in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where United Kingdom is ahead of the world, and behind
58 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median24
Statistics on which United Kingdom does better than the middle country measured.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1977.7540.19No real change since 2020
United Kingdom: 77.75 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 3rd of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.960.485No real change since 2013
United Kingdom: 0.96 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 170 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.1337.0716.1No real change since 2013
United Kingdom: 337.07 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6768.3846.67No real change since 2012
United Kingdom: 68.38 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 5th of 195 · derived.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3966.7352.39No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 66.73 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 5th of 169 · derived.
New Business DensityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.18719.192.187No real change since 2014
United Kingdom: 19.19 · world median 2.187 · New limited liability companies registered per 1,000 people aged 15–64. World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 26.76; higher is better.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4277.2925.42No real change since 2014
United Kingdom: 77.29 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 6th of 170 · derived.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5259.1228.52No real change since 2022
United Kingdom: 59.12 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 6th of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.21387.6356.21No real change since 2016
United Kingdom: 387.63 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 9th of 175 by UNCTAD.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.511.6927.5No real change since 2010
United Kingdom: 11.69 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.0931.461-0.093▼ Worsened since 2015
United Kingdom: 1.461 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 14th of 209 · derived.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.88063.8No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 80 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 8th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,80036,43912,800No real change since 2017
United Kingdom: 36,439 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 18th of 173 · derived.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.428.3210.4No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 28.32 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,486401,92346,486No real change since 2010
United Kingdom: 401,923 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 22nd of 150 · derived.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8142.6760.814▲ Improved since 2013
United Kingdom: 2.676 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.
Position 13th of 84 · derived.
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.93.72.9▼ Worsened since 2014
United Kingdom: 3.7 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 19th of 139 by World Bank Group.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89038,40712,890No real change since 2012
United Kingdom: 38,407 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 27th of 166 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.954,473701.95No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 4,473 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 30th of 145 · derived.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.8340.627No real change since 2013
United Kingdom: 0.834 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8124.2841.81No earlier reading
United Kingdom: 24.28 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 143rd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6364,4481,636No real change since 2014
United Kingdom: 4,448 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 18th of 75 · derived.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.9753.430.975▼ Worsened since 2014
United Kingdom: 3.43 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 34th of 119 · derived.
Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID)Frederick Solt, University of Iowa · 2023 · world median 3331.933▼ Worsened since 2013
United Kingdom: 31.9 · world median 33 · Gini index of disposable household income (0–100), SWIID estimate. Frederick Solt, University of Iowa, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 22.3 to 51.2; lower is better.
Position 44th of 79 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median5
Statistics on which United Kingdom does worse than the middle country measured.
ICT Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 7.4747.317.474▼ Worsened since 2014
United Kingdom: 7.31 · world median 7.474 · ICT services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 56.25; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 118 · derived.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06105.24107.06▲ Improved since 2012
United Kingdom: 105.24 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 105th of 194 · derived.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08101.24106.08▲ Improved since 2012
United Kingdom: 101.24 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 125th of 195 · derived.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.2394.33106.23▼ Worsened since 2012
United Kingdom: 94.33 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 154th of 195 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3961.3883.396▼ Worsened since 2015
United Kingdom: 1.388 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 148th of 186 · derived.
No better end29
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,240226,6462,240No real change since 2022
United Kingdom: 226,646 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.952,902657.95Moved since 2014
United Kingdom: 2,902 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.7361,059275.73No real change since 2016
United Kingdom: 61,059 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5231.0120.523Moved since 2013
United Kingdom: 1.012 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.2251.103-0.225No real change since 2014
United Kingdom: 1.103 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Creative Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 6.17116.66.171Moved since 2014
United Kingdom: 16.6 · world median 6.171 · Creative services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.002 to 63.91.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2353.1691.235Moved since 2014
United Kingdom: 3.169 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)OECD · 2024 · world median 21.8534.3721.85No real change since 2014
United Kingdom: 34.37 · world median 21.85 · Total tax revenue, all levels of government (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.11 to 45.18.
Container Port TrafficUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1,827,7889,621,4691,827,788Moved since 2014
United Kingdom: 9,621,469 · world median 1,827,788 · Container port traffic (TEU, twenty-foot equivalent units). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 17,263 to 299,703,800.
Position 21st of 103 · derived, counted from the highest value.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.2121.2316.21Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 21.23 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 29th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.602189.602Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 18 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Statutory Corporate Income Tax RateOECD · 2026 · world median 242524Moved since 2016
United Kingdom: 25 · world median 24 · Combined statutory corporate income tax rate, central and sub-central government (%). OECD, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 36.13.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3063.6933.306Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 3.693 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9681.8841.968Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 1.884 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Household ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 62.0460.4462.04No real change since 2015
United Kingdom: 60.44 · world median 62.04 · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 25.21 to 133.34.
Position 69th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 36.3430.636.34Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 30.6 · world median 36.34 · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.103 to 199.76.
Position 84th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7080.5891.708No real change since 2011
United Kingdom: 0.589 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 123rd of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Trade (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 79.6862.4679.68Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 62.46 · world median 79.68 · Exports plus imports (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.382 to 396.65.
Position 89th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Foreign Value Added Share of Gross ExportsOECD · 2022 · world median 27.4119.6127.41No real change since 2012
United Kingdom: 19.61 · world median 27.41 · Foreign value added (% of gross exports). OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 4.491 to 66.08.
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 41.7231.8641.72Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 31.86 · world median 41.72 · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.279 to 196.89.
Position 92nd of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.2394.75103.23Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 94.75 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 22.9319.6922.93Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 19.69 · world median 22.93 · Gross capital formation (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.679 to 45.27.
Position 95th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Gross Savings (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 22.0616.7622.06Moved since 2014
United Kingdom: 16.76 · world median 22.06 · Gross savings (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -21.13 to 47.82.
Position 106th of 146 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1735.1867.17Moved since 2014
United Kingdom: 35.18 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.267.67811.26Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 7.678 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 98th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.160.306Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 0.16 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6516.4924.65Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 16.49 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 133rd of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.6613.66Moved since 2012
United Kingdom: 1 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.5720.646.572Moved since 2015
United Kingdom: 0.64 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 151st of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for United Kingdom
Adjusted Net Savings (last 2018), Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Gini Index (last 2021), GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Income Share Held by Lowest 20% (last 2021), Income Share Held by Richest 10% (last 2021), Interest Payments on External Debt and Palma Ratio (last 2021). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among United Kingdom’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is United Kingdom’s 8th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Digital & Technology6th of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge6th of 1983/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture11th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade13th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions18th of 1944/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience21st of 1934/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital25th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation26th of 1764/4 keys
- Work & Labour33rd of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality34th of 1593/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing43rd of 2004/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties49th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality46th of 1834/4 keys
- Peace & Security60th of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 115th of 1864/4 keys
No standing on Energy: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders United Kingdom can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Austria1st4/4 keysHighest in Northern Europe
Iceland4th3/4 keysThis page
United Kingdom26th4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about United Kingdom and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
United Kingdom on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does United Kingdom rank on economy & innovation?
United Kingdom is placed 26th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for United Kingdom?
53,993 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for United Kingdom?
30.22 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does United Kingdom compare with Ireland on economy & innovation?
Ireland is placed 19th of 176, and United Kingdom 26th. GDP per Capita (PPP): Ireland 131,338, United Kingdom 53,993; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: Ireland 42.74, United Kingdom 30.22; Economic Complexity Index: Ireland 1.193, United Kingdom 1.246; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: Ireland 98.29, United Kingdom 99.28.
How have United Kingdom’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 43,818 in 2000 to 53,993 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index fell from 1.4 in 2000 to 1.246 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 97.2 in 2011 to 99.28 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for United Kingdom?
No current reading is published for United Kingdom on Adjusted Net Savings, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Debt Service on External Debt, External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Gini Index, GNI per Capita (PPP), Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Interest Payments on External Debt and Palma Ratio. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 58 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
United Kingdom’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- United Kingdom (banner) — © User:Colin / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). United Kingdom: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/united-kingdom/economy