The global significance of the UK

The UK has undergone many changes and its position in relation to other countries is changing. As continue to grow, where will the UK fit in to the global economy?

The place of the UK in the wider world

The UK has strong political links with many countries. The UK is a member of the , which is one of the world's oldest political groups. The Commonwealth is a group of 53 countries and it began when the countries were ruled by Britain. Current membership is optional. The UK also has other political links, such as the Group of Seven (G7). The G7 is made up of the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom - the seven most advanced economies, as reported by the International Monetary Fund. The G7 countries meet yearly to discuss global economic issues.

The links that the UK has with other countries are based on a variety of factors. In terms of trade, the UK imports and exports goods from many countries. The UK’s top trading partners are the US, Germany, China, the Netherlands and France. The UK's biggest exports are machinery and transport equipment. Foreign exports also include money spent by tourists visiting the country.

Exports/imports: 51%/51% EU, 15%/19% North America, 15%/12% Asia & Oceania, 8%/9% Non-EU Europe, 5%/4% Middle East & North America, 3%/3% Sub-Saharan Africa, 2%/2% Latin America & Caribbean, 1% Other.

Culture

Figure caption,
The London Marathon 2015

UK literature, music, cinema, sport, television, history and architecture are important globally. Books, such as the Harry Potter series, are sold worldwide. Sports are showcased through events such as the Olympics, the World Cup, Wimbledon, the Premier League and the London Marathon. UK architecture can be seen in many Commonwealth countries. Tourists visit the UK to experience the culture and many UK cities have been labelled 'cities of culture'.

Transport

Figure caption,
Eurostar London - Marseilles

Increasing air travel is strengthening the UK's links with other countries. In addition to this, the UK has modern port facilities and a high speed rail link to Europe in the form of Eurostar.

Communications

The UK is linked to the rest of the world via the internet. Internet cables beneath the sea provide a fast connection to countries globally.

Globalisation and foreign direct investment

Investment in the UK by individuals and firms from abroad (known as foreign direct investment or FDI) has also had an impact upon the population of the UK.

The UK has the second largest amount of FDI in the world after the US, the vast majority of which comes from Europe and the Americas.