Compare countries · Ireland vs United Kingdom
Ireland vs United Kingdom
Ireland(Europe)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Ireland leads on 5, United Kingdom on 3, 5 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Ireland
70.6
Worse than 91% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
United Kingdom: 4% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Ireland
43.8
Worse than 96% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: 27% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Ireland
1.32
Better than 97% of countries
United Kingdom
1.67
Better than 79% of countries
Ireland: more peaceful (1.32 vs 1.67).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Ireland
51.0
Worse than 62% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Ireland
0.950
Better than 96% of countries
United Kingdom
0.940
Better than 93% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Ireland
$155,089
Better than 98% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
Ireland: 140% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Ireland
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Ireland
51.2
Worse than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
United Kingdom: better-rated healthcare (72.7 vs 51.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Ireland
208 Mbps
Better than 80% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
Ireland: 24% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Ireland
86/100
Better than 96% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
Ireland: freer press (86 vs 80 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Ireland
6.93
Better than 91% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
Ireland: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.93 vs 6.69).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Ireland
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Ireland
89.5
Better than 72% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Deciding between Ireland and United Kingdom for real?
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Find your match →Full Ireland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.