Big Ben

United Kingdom

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for United Kingdom
Published: 2026

Region: Western Europe
Capital: London
Currency: British Pound (GBP)
Density: 281 / km²

WRI Score 2026

62.85

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 113th
In Europe: 48th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 45%· KPMG / EY
10.9
Among the highest top marginal rates on this list.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 281 / km²· UN WPP
21.4
Among the most densely populated places on the list.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $60,011· IMF WEO 2026
87.1
Strong output per resident, well above the global median.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 81.8 years· WHO / UN
87.3
Strong healthcare outcomes, above the global average.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.6 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
68.5
Moderate tourism activity relative to population.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 4%· ILO / SECO
91.4
Low, stable labour market.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 2.3% of GDP· SIPRI
81.2
Modest military expenditure relative to GDP.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
85.6
Strong safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
35.6
Elevated ideological enforcement.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

United Kingdom holds 113th of 211 with a WRI Score of 62.85 — sits in the lower-middle of the field. Its profile is defined by exceptional unemployment (91.4) and life expectancy (87.3), offset by its tax treatment, its clearest structural constraint.