Home / Comparisons / UK vs Spain Population
UK vs Spain Population
United Kingdom has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 Spain stood at roughly 58% of United Kingdom’s Population; today the figure is about 71%, and the pair was closest in 2009 (74%).
| Year | United Kingdom | Spain | Spain as % of UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 52,400,000 | 30,455,000 | 58% |
| 1970 | 55,663,250 | 33,814,531 | 61% |
| 1980 | 56,314,216 | 37,491,165 | 67% |
| 1990 | 57,247,586 | 38,867,322 | 68% |
| 2000 | 58,892,514 | 40,567,864 | 69% |
| 2010 | 62,766,365 | 46,576,897 | 74% |
| 2020 | 66,740,000 | 47,359,424 | 71% |
| 2025 | 69,487,000 | 49,355,143 | 71% |
Frequently asked questions
When did United Kingdom pass Spain in Population?
It has not come to that. United Kingdom has held the larger Population in every published year (1960–2025).
How do United Kingdom and Spain compare today?
United Kingdom is ahead: 69,487,000 against 49,355,143 — the trailing economy stands at about 71% of the leader.
Are these Population figures nominal or adjusted?
They are exactly as the World Bank publishes them — people — with no inflation restatement, no PPP conversion and no interpolation for missing years.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: