The United Kingdom , made up of England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland , has the fifth largest gross domestic product in the world in terms of market exchange rates and the sixth largest in purchasing power parity (PPP). It is the second largest economy in Europe (after Germany ), and is a member of the European Union and the G8. The UK possesses a seat in the permanent security council of the UN. London is one of the two largest financial centers in the world, along with New York .

The British economy has recently seen a long period of sustained economic growth and is one of the strongest European Union economies in terms of inflation, interest rates and unemployment, all of which remain relatively low.

The United Kingdom recently experienced buoyant recruitment activity according to the Recruitment Confidence Index published by the Cranfield School of Management. Business confidence, which collapsed several years ago, has turned around and continues to grow, driven by a strong housing market, cost cutting and strong product demand.