UK compared with other countries: your questions answered
How to check 'UK vs other countries' claims with IMF, OECD and World Bank data.
Is the UK a member of the OECD?
Yes. The UK was one of the founding members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, whose convention was signed in Paris in 1960. The OECD publishes comparable data on its members' economies, public services, health and education.
Its country page for the UK links to the latest economic survey and indicators.
Related: How does UK health spending compare with other countries?
How does UK GDP compare with other countries?
The IMF's World Economic Outlook database is the standard source for comparing GDP, growth and GDP per person across countries, updated in April and October. The World Bank's World Development Indicators and the OECD's national accounts are alternatives.
Rankings change with the exchange rate used: market exchange rates and purchasing power parity (PPP) give different orders. Always say which measure and which edition of the database the figure comes from.
Related: What is UK GDP per capita? · How does UK debt compare with other countries?
How does UK health spending compare with other countries?
The OECD Health Statistics database compares health spending as a share of GDP and per person, as well as doctors, nurses and hospital beds per head of population. The ONS publishes UK healthcare expenditure using the same international framework.
The OECD's "Health at a Glance" report summarises the comparisons every two years.
Related: Is the UK a member of the OECD?
How do UK taxes compare with other countries?
The OECD's Revenue Statistics compare total tax revenue as a percentage of GDP across member countries, using the same definitions for everyone. Its Taxing Wages report compares the tax and benefits position of typical workers.
OECD figures can differ slightly from UK national figures because of definitions and timing, and the latest year is often provisional.
How does UK debt compare with other countries?
The IMF Fiscal Monitor and World Economic Outlook database compare general government gross debt and deficits across countries on a common definition. Eurostat covers EU countries only.
The UK headline in ONS releases is public sector net debt, which is a different measure and usually lower. Use the IMF series for all countries in a comparison, including the UK.
Related: What is the UK debt to GDP ratio? · How does UK GDP compare with other countries?
Source guides for this topic
- UK trade statistics (ONS, HMRC uktradeinfo and Department for Business and Trade)
- Defence, foreign aid and counter-terrorism statistics (MOD, FCDO, NATO, OECD, Home Office)
- HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) official statistics
- International Monetary Fund, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and World Bank data
- NHS statistics for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (Public Health Scotland, Welsh Government and Department of Health Northern Ireland)
These answers say where official figures are published and how they are defined. They give no verdict on any claim. To report an error, send a correction request.