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