Almost 60 million people live in the UK. As with other Western European countries, the population is aging, single person households are increasing and there is pressure on leisure time. English is the official language, however, government departments, the media and many companies in Wales use both English and Welsh.

The UK has a high standard of education, with mandatory school attendance from the ages of 5 to 16. GCSE exams are taken at 16 and ‘A’ Levels at 18.

Economic climate
Recent polls show that consumer confidence in the UK is stronger than almost anywhere else in Europe, even though it is the second-most expensive country in Europe. The Netherlands and Italy are 10 per cent cheaper, while Spain, Greece and Portugal are all 20 per cent cheaper than the UK.

While the UK is part of the European Union (EU), it is not a signatory to Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). This means that the Pound Sterling was retained in January 2002 when EMU members gave up their local currencies to the Euro.

Political climate
The UK has a stable parliamentary democracy, and is a constitutional monarchy, with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state. Tony Blair is the current Prime Minister, with a popularly elected House of Commons and selective House of Lords.

While they are considered to be one country (and known collectively as the UK), Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have devolved governments, but also elect representatives to the House of Commons in London. Scotland has separate powers for education, health, justice and finance.

Trade statistics
The UK is the sixth most important export destination for Australian products, with imports totalling A$4.2 billion in 1999-2000. The balance of trade is in the UK’s favour, as Australia imported A$6.4 billion worth of UK products in the same period.

Trade relations
As member of the European Union (EU), the UK enjoys freedom of movement of goods with other member countries, and the harmonisation of trade standards.