United Kingdom vs Ireland — Country Comparison
United Kingdom
IrelandUnited Kingdom and Ireland side by side: United Kingdom is the larger country (244,376 km² vs 70,273 km², roughly 3.5× the size), while United Kingdom has the bigger population (69.3 million vs 5.5 million). The full comparison table below covers capitals, currencies, languages, dialling codes, timezones and more.
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
| Fact | United Kingdom | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | London | Dublin |
| Population | 69,281,437 | 5,458,600 |
| Area | 244,376 km² | 70,273 km² |
| Currency | British pound | Euro |
| Languages | English | English, Irish |
| Dialling code | +44 | +353 |
| Main timezone | UTC | UTC |
| Drives on the | Left | Left |
| Region | Northern Europe | Northern Europe |
| Emergency number | 999 (or 112) | 999 (or 112) |
Key differences: United Kingdom vs Ireland
- United Kingdom has about 12.7 times the population of Ireland.
- United Kingdom is about 3.5 times larger by area.
- United Kingdom is the more densely populated of the two.
- They use different currencies: GBP and EUR.
- They share English as an official language.
- They share a land border.
- Their geographic centres are about 410 km apart.
- United Kingdom and Ireland are in the same time zone (UTC).
Want the full picture for each country? See United Kingdom and Ireland, or compare their population pages: United Kingdom · Ireland.
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United Kingdom vs Ireland — FAQ
Which is bigger, United Kingdom or Ireland?
United Kingdom is bigger by area: 244,376 km² vs 70,273 km², roughly 3.5× the size of Ireland.
Is United Kingdom bigger than Ireland?
Yes — United Kingdom covers 244,376 km², compared to 70,273 km² for Ireland.
Which has more people, United Kingdom or Ireland?
United Kingdom has the larger population: 69,281,437 (69.3 million) vs 5,458,600 (5.5 million).
How does the size of United Kingdom compare to Ireland?
United Kingdom (244,376 km²) is about 3.5× larger than Ireland (70,273 km²).
Do United Kingdom and Ireland use the same currency?
No — United Kingdom uses the British pound and Ireland uses the Euro.
Are United Kingdom and Ireland on the same continent?
Yes — both are in Europe.
What is the time difference between United Kingdom and Ireland?
United Kingdom and Ireland are in the same time zone (UTC).
Do United Kingdom and Ireland share an official language?
Yes — both share English as an official language.
Do United Kingdom and Ireland share a border?
Yes — United Kingdom and Ireland share a land border.
Which is more densely populated, United Kingdom or Ireland?
United Kingdom is more densely populated at roughly 284 people per km², compared to 78 for Ireland.
How far is United Kingdom from Ireland?
The distance between the geographic centres of United Kingdom and Ireland is roughly 410 km (250 miles) in a straight line. Actual travel distances between cities will differ.
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