Compare countries · China vs United Kingdom
China vs United Kingdom
China(Asia)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: China leads on 4, United Kingdom on 9. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Switch to the full comparison — 50+ indicators, currency toggle →Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
30.5
Better than 79% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
China: 55% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
10.4
Better than 73% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
China: 68% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
China
2.01
Around the global middle
United Kingdom
1.67
Better than 79% of countries
United Kingdom: more peaceful (1.67 vs 2.01).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
China
76.9
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
China: higher perceived safety (76.9 vs 51.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
China
0.788
Better than 61% of countries
United Kingdom
0.940
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom: higher human development (0.940 vs 0.788).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
China
$29,333
Better than 61% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom: 120% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
China
78.0 yrs
Better than 71% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom: 3.4 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
China
69.2
Better than 68% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
United Kingdom: better-rated healthcare (72.7 vs 69.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
China
212 Mbps
Better than 82% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
China: 27% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
China
14/100
Worse than 99% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: freer press (80 vs 14 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
China
6.07
Better than 56% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.69 vs 6.07).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
China
464
Worse than 74% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 464).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
China
74.4
Worse than 63% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
United Kingdom: more pleasant climate rating (87.8 vs 74.4).
Quick answers
Is China cheaper than United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts China at 30.5 and United Kingdom at 67.8. China is about 55% cheaper overall.
Is China or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), China scores 2.01 and United Kingdom scores 1.67. United Kingdom ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, China or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, China scores 0.788 and United Kingdom scores 0.940. United Kingdom scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
Deciding between China and United Kingdom for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.