United Kingdom—Rail Lines (total km)
Category: InfrastructureSource: World Bank World Development Indicators ↗Global Rank: #15 of 112Updated April 2026
Latest Value
16,179
2021
YoY Change
-1.1%
2020 → 2021
Global Rank
#15
of 112 countries
Maximum
17,010
2002
Minimum
15,847
2012
CAGR
-0.2%
20 years
Last
16,179
Previous
16,351
Highest
17,010
Lowest
15,847
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
United Kingdom's rail lines (total km) was 16,179 in 2021, ranking #15 out of 112 countries. This represents a -1.1% change from 2020. Over the past 20 years, the highest recorded value was 17,010 (2002) and the lowest was 15,847 (2012). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Source: World Bank World Development Indicators
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 16,179 | -1.1% |
| 2020 | 16,351 | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 16,295 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 16,295 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 16,294 | +0.2% |
| 2016 | 16,257 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 16,245 | -1.7% |
| 2014 | 16,532 | +4.2% |
| 2013 | 15,861 | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 15,847 | -2.2% |
| 2011 | 16,210 | +2.0% |
| 2010 | 15,888 | -2.2% |
| 2009 | 16,239 | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 16,273 | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 16,263 | -1.6% |
| 2004 | 16,530 | -1.8% |
| 2003 | 16,833 | -1.0% |
| 2002 | 17,010 | +0.1% |
| 2001 | 16,992 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 16,992 |
Top Countries — Rail Lines (total km)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 148,553 | 2021 |
| 2 | China | 109,767 | 2021 |
| 3 | Russian Federation | 85,544 | 2021 |
| 4 | India | 68,103 | 2021 |
| 5 | Canada | 48,150 | 2021 |
| 6 | Germany | 33,401 | 2021 |
| 7 | Brazil | 32,622 | 2007 |
| 8 | France | 27,716 | 2021 |
| 9 | Ukraine | 21,626 | 2020 |
| 10 | South Africa | 20,953 | 2021 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Rail Lines (total km) — World Bank World Development Indicators.
Methodology
Data compiled by Railisa Database, International Union of Railways (UIC), uri: https://uic-stats.uic.org/.