The UK is the fourth largest economy in the world, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of US $1.93 trillion. It has the second largest economy in Europe (after Germany). The capital, London, is one of the two largest financial centres in the world, along with New York City.
The UK economy is one of the strongest in Europe; inflation, interest rates, and unemployment remain low.
Economic growth in the UK was 1.8 per cent in 2005 (Source: ONS, 2006) and grew by 2.7% in 2006. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth is expected to remain steady in 2007 with a forecast growth figure of 2.9%.
(Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the market value of all final goods and services produced and purchased within a country during a given time period.)
GDP: |
US $1.93 trillion (2006 est.) (purchasing power parity)
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GDP - real growth rate: |
2.8% (2006 est) |
GDP - per capita: |
$31,800 (2006 est.) (purchasing power parity) |
GDP - composition by sector: |
agriculture: 1%
industry: 25.6%
services: 73.4% (2006 est.) |
source: www.cia.gov (July 2007)
One Pound Sterling (£) = 100 pence (p)
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Interest rates influence spending and saving in the economy and the prices we pay for goods and services.
The current Base Rate is 5.75% (August 2007)
Goods manufactured and imported
Click to find out about the industries in Britain
See Britain at work
Industries in each area of England
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