France vs United Kingdom: Urban and rural population
France
52.55 million
in 2025
United Kingdom
57.95 million
in 2025
France rank
17th
United Kingdom rank
16th
Urban and rural population over time
- France
- United Kingdom
How they compare
United Kingdom currently reports 57.95 million against 52.55 million in France, a difference of 5.40 million.
That makes United Kingdom's figure about 1.1 times France's.
Across all 76 years both countries report, United Kingdom has been ahead every year.
France ranks 17th and United Kingdom ranks 16th of 236 countries.
United Kingdom has averaged higher in every one of the 8 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | France | United Kingdom | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 25.38 million | 40.74 million | 15.36 million | United Kingdom |
| 1960s | 32.23 million | 42.05 million | 9.82 million | United Kingdom |
| 1970s | 38.12 million | 43.50 million | 5.38 million | United Kingdom |
| 1980s | 40.69 million | 44.39 million | 3.70 million | United Kingdom |
| 1990s | 43.57 million | 45.71 million | 2.14 million | United Kingdom |
| 2000s | 47.37 million | 48.68 million | 1.31 million | United Kingdom |
| 2010s | 50.35 million | 53.26 million | 2.91 million | United Kingdom |
| 2020s | 52.24 million | 56.88 million | 4.64 million | United Kingdom |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher urban and rural population, France or United Kingdom?
- United Kingdom, at 57.95 million against 52.55 million in France as of 2025.
- What is the difference in urban and rural population between France and United Kingdom?
- 5.40 million, with United Kingdom ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for France and United Kingdom?
- 76 years are reported by both, from 1950 to 2025.
- How do France and United Kingdom rank globally for urban and rural population?
- France ranks 17th and United Kingdom ranks 16th of 236 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Urban and rural population. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.