Compare countries · Germany vs United Kingdom
Germany vs United Kingdom
Germany(Europe)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Germany leads on 6, United Kingdom on 3, 4 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Germany cheaper than United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Germany at 68.7 and United Kingdom at 67.8. The two are effectively tied (under 2% apart).
Is Germany or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Germany scores 1.66 and United Kingdom scores 1.73. Germany ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Germany or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, Germany scores 0.959 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Germany compared to United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $60,200 in Germany against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 80.8 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 72 against 73. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Germany
68.7
Worse than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Germany
24.6
Worse than 80% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
Germany: 23% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Germany
1.66
Better than 83% of countries
United Kingdom
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
Germany: more peaceful (1.66 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Germany
61.6
Better than 64% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Germany: higher perceived safety (61.6 vs 51.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Germany
0.959
Better than 97% of countries
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Germany
$75,407
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
Germany: 17% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Germany
80.8 yrs
Better than 79% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Germany
72.4
Better than 79% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Germany
103 Mbps
Better than 58% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
United Kingdom: 63% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Germany
82/100
Better than 92% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
Germany: freer press (82 vs 80 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Germany
6.88
Better than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
Germany: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.88 vs 6.69).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Germany
615
Better than 91% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 615).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Germany
82.9
Better than 57% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
United Kingdom: more pleasant climate rating (87.8 vs 82.9).
Deciding between Germany and United Kingdom for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Germany profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.