Compare countries · Spain vs United Kingdom
Spain vs United Kingdom
Spain(Europe)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Spain leads on 7, United Kingdom on 5, 1 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)
Spain
51.6
Worse than 70% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
Spain: 24% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Spain
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
Spain: 28% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Spain
1.65
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom
1.67
Better than 79% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Spain
62.4
Better than 67% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Spain: higher perceived safety (62.4 vs 51.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Spain
0.911
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom
0.940
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom: higher human development (0.940 vs 0.911).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Spain
$59,868
Better than 83% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom: 8% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Spain
83.9 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Spain: 2.5 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Spain
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
Spain: better-rated healthcare (77.2 vs 72.7).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Spain
277 Mbps
Better than 92% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
Spain: 65% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Spain
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: freer press (80 vs 75 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Spain
6.54
Better than 72% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.69 vs 6.54).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Spain
540
Better than 66% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 540).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Spain
92.8
Better than 83% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
Spain: more pleasant climate rating (92.8 vs 87.8).
Deciding between Spain and United Kingdom for real?
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Find your match →Full Spain profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.