16 Fastest Developing Countries in 2023 (2024)

This article looks at the 16 fastest developing countries in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis and head straight to the 5 Fastest Developing Countries in 2023.

In 2022, the global economy faced several severe challenges, including the COVID pandemic, the war in Ukraine leading to food and energy crises, high inflation, debt tightening, and the climate emergency. These challenges hit developing countries the most as they relied on cheap global credit to grow.

Despite this, many countries have made significant strides in economic development, and some have even emerged as global economic powerhouses. In this article, we will discuss the top 16 fastest-developing countries in the world and explore the reasons behind their remarkable growth.

Trends in the emerging developing countries

One key trend to observe is that many of the fastest developing countries in the world are located in Asia and Africa. This is unsurprising, given that these regions have experienced significant population growth and urbanization over the past few decades.

For instance, in 2021, India was one of the fastest-developing countries in Asia. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's economy rebounded later in the year, with a GDP growth rate of 8.7%for the fiscal year 2021-22. India has implemented measures to attract foreign investment, such as easing restrictions on foreign investment in various sectors and launching initiatives such as "Make in India" to promote domestic manufacturing and exports.

Moreover, many countries on our list of the fastest developing countries in the world have diversified their economies and reduced their reliance on a single sector, such as China and India, which have diverified in manufacturing and services at scale, respectively.

As an example, Rwanda has made significant progress in developing tourism, ICT, and manufacturing sectors while investing in education and infrastructure, resulting in an increased GDP growth rate of 8% in 2022.

The rise of unexpected economies is yet another trend to notice. Countries that were once considered poor or underdeveloped have experienced rapid growth in recent years. For example, Vietnam has seen rapid economic growth since the 1990s due to manufacturing and infrastructure-investment. In 2022, the GDP growth rate of Vietnam reached 8%, making it one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

BRICS is an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, a group of five major emerging economies. These economies are recognized for their rapid economic growth and are home to nearly 40% of the world's population and over a quarter of its landmass.

The BRICS nations, including Russia, have recently indicated a willingness to create a new global reserve currency. This development poses a potential challenge to the global dominance of the US dollar, the world's reserve currency. It also highlights the emerging economies' increasing desire to reduce their reliance on the US dollar and increase the use of their currencies for international trade.

Moreover, BRICS and the SCO are moving closer to de-dollarization, with a growing focus on using local currencies for settlements. Vladimir Norov, the former Secretary-General of the SCO, confirmed last year that the organization's members have been working on a gradual transition to local currency settlements. This shift reflects a broader trend away from the US dollar as the dominant global trade currency.

According to the Times of India, the changing dynamics of the global economy are reflected in the fact that the share of GDP of G7 nations, based on purchasing power parity (PPP), has decreased from 50.42% of the world's GDP in 1982 to 30.39% in 2022. Meanwhile, the share of the GDP of BRICS nations has increased from 10.66% in 1982 to 31.59% in 2022.

Moreover, the uncertainty in global trade has played a significant role in boosting the economies of developing countries, particularly amid the US-China trade war. Vietnam has benefited greatly, as it received the biggest share of US supply chains, at 20%, that shifted from China as part of the trade war. The shift has created jobs, increased exports, and spurred growth in the country's manufacturing sector.

On the corporate front, many multinational companies have played an outsized role in spurring local growth in developing coutnries. For instance, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has four offices in India alone.

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has also been expanding in Africa through the spread of its own network on the continent, as well as through investments in renewable energy. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) has also been installing Google Fiber to connect countries like Nigeria, South Africa and others in Africa.

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) also entered the Vietnamese market a few years back, helping 140 local online e-commerce businesses. Further, Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) also signed an agreement with the Vietnamese government in 2022 to train 10,000 local online retailers over the next five years to sell to the company's global customers.

16 Fastest Developing Countries in 2023 (1)

Methodology

We created a list of the fastest developing countries in the world in 2023 by applying the IMF's definition of developing countries and ranking them based on their 2023 annual percentage change projection in real GDP growth, which were also obtained from the IMF. Countries with a GDP of less than US$1 billion have been excluded, as they are considered economically inconsequential on the global scale even if they are developing at a fast pace. We have also majorly relied on data from the World Bank. The list is presented in ascending order.

16. Uganda

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 5.7%

In 2021, the GDP of Uganda was sized at $40.53 billion. Per Trading Economics, it is estimated that the GDP of Uganda will reach $44.56 billion in 2024 and $62.74 billion in 2025. The economy is anticipated to experience a growth surge of over 6% annually. This growth is predicted to result from a reduction in inflationary pressures, the easing of monetary policy by the Bank of Uganda, and the government's focus on enhancing revenue collection.

15. Vietnam

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 5.8%

In 2021, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Vietnam was worth $366.1 billion. From 2002 to 2021, the GDP per capita rose by 3.6 times, almost reaching $3,700. The poverty rates, based on a threshold of $3.65 per day adjusted for purchasing power parity in 2017, decreased from 14 percent in 2010 to 3.8 percent in 2020. Vietnam’s exceptional growth can be contributed to its manufacturing sector with a special focus on exports-oriented products.

14. Cambodia

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 5.8%

Cambodia's GDP was sized at $26.96 billion in 2021 and has reached an impressive $75 billion in purchasing power parity terms as of the end of 2022. It has shown promising signs of economic recovery following the pandemic, with traditional growth drivers such as manufacturing and agricultural commodity exports fully bouncing back.

13. India

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 5.9%

India's GDP grew by 8.7% in 2021, reaching $3.1 trillion, making it the fastest-growing major economy in the world. Furthermore, India's per capita income has doubled in the last decade, and poverty rates have declined significantly.

The country's dynamic and diverse economy has also attracted considerable foreign investment. As reported by UNESCAP, India received $60 billion of inward Greenfield FDI in 2022, outpacing China.In our list of the fastest growing countries in the world, India has the biggest GDP, making it one of the best-performing economies in the world.

12. Philippines

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 6%

The Philippines' GDP size was $394.1 billion in 2021. In addition, ADB's flagship economic publication Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2023, forecasts the Philippines economy to grow by 6.0% in 2023, climbing further by 6.2% in 2024. Further growth is expected to be supported by increased employment and retail trade, expansion in the manufacturing sector, and a rise in public infrastructure spending.

11. Benin

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 6%

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa whose GDP size was $17.14 billion in 2021. According to African Development Bank, it has one of the most substantial economic growth rates in the WAEMU area, with an estimated growth rate of 7.2 % in 2021, an increase of 3.4 percentage points compared to 2020.Benin's economy primarily benefited from its tourism sector and the cotton-production improvement during 2020-2021.

10. Niger

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 6.1%

Niger's GDP was worth $14.92 billion in 2021. Furthermore, the official estimate for Niger's GDP was $32 billion in purchasing power parity terms at the end of 2022. According to African Development Bank, economic growth is projected to accelerate in 2023 to 7.2%, led by agriculture and supported by the new "3N" agricultural initiative with continued public investment in infrastructure and increased FDI in the extractive sector.

9. Ethiopia

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 6.1%

Ethiopia's GDP was worth $111.3 billion in 2021, currently ranked 60th among the major economies. Moreover, the official estimate for Ethiopia's GDP was $291 billion in purchasing power parity terms at the end of 2022. Ethiopia's rise has been primarily driven by increased industrial activity, including investments in infrastructure and manufacturing.

8. Rwanda

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 6.2%

Rwanda's economy showed remarkable resilience and growth, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, the country's GDP stood at $11.07 billion; in the first three quarters of 2022, Rwanda achieved an impressive growth rate of 8.4 percent. The world Bank highlights that Rwanda’s growth was spurred by a resurgent services sector, especially the tourism industry.

7. Côte D'Ivoire

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 6.2%

Côte D’Ivoire is a country on the southern coast of West Africa, whose GDP was worth $70.04 billion in 2021. The economic growth in the country was driven by private consumption, supported by public investment and wage increases. As per Trading Economics estimates, its GDP is expected to reach $74.09 billion by the end of 2023.

6. Democratic Republic of Congo

2023 Growth Percentage Change: 6.3%

Congo's Gross Domestic Product for 2021 was sized at $55.35 billion. The economic growth further picked up to 8.6% in 2022. The mining sector investment and exports were the key growth drivers, owing to capacity expansion and recovery in global demand.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Fastest Developing Countries in 2023.

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Disclosure: none. 16 Fastest Developing Countries in 2023 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

16 Fastest Developing Countries in 2023 (2024)

FAQs

16 Fastest Developing Countries in 2023? ›

India's economic growth is expected to remain “strong” even as prospects for other South Asian nations “are more challenging.” India is projected to grow at 6.7 per cent in 2024, the fastest-growing major economy in the world, the flagship report had said.

Which country has the best economy 2023? ›

United States of America

Which country is developing fastest? ›

The World's Fastest Growing Economies
  1. Guyana. Average growth 2022-2026: 25.8% Guyana will be by far the fastest-growing economy over the next few years. ...
  2. Macao. Average growth 2022-2026: 11.9% ...
  3. Fiji. Average growth 2022-2026: 7.7% ...
  4. Niger. Average growth 2022-2026: 7.6% ...
  5. Libya. Average growth 2022-2026: 6.9%
May 25, 2023

Which is the fastest growing economy in the world in 2024? ›

India's economic growth is expected to remain “strong” even as prospects for other South Asian nations “are more challenging.” India is projected to grow at 6.7 per cent in 2024, the fastest-growing major economy in the world, the flagship report had said.

What are the fastest growing countries by 2030? ›

Contact. China, Vietnam, Uganda, Indonesia, and India are projected to be among the fastest-growing economies to 2030. That is the conclusion of researchers at the Growth Lab at Harvard University who presented new growth projections in the Atlas of Economic Complexity.

Which country will grow the most in 2023? ›

16 Fastest Developing Countries in 2023
  • Cambodia.
  • India.
  • Philippines.
  • Benin.
  • Niger.
  • Ethiopia.
  • Rwanda.
  • Democratic Republic of Congo.
Apr 14, 2023

Which country will be richest in 2050? ›

Richest Country in 2050 will be United Kingdom

The United Kingdom's Gross Domestic Product in 2050 is estimated to be 3.58 trillion US dollars, with a per capita income of 49,412 US dollars. The present gap between the British economic wealth and Germany's economic wealth will contract significantly.

Which country will have the best economy in the future? ›

Emerging markets (E7) could grow around twice as fast as advanced economies (G7) on average. As a result, six of the seven largest economies in the world are projected to be emerging economies in 2050 led by China (1st), India (2nd) and Indonesia (4th)

Which countries have most promising future? ›

15 Best Countries to Live in the Future
  • United Kingdom. GDP per capita, Purchasing Power Parity in 2021: $49,675.3. ...
  • France. GDP per capita, Purchasing Power Parity in 2021: $50,728.7. ...
  • Canada. GDP per capita, Purchasing Power Parity in 2021: $52,085.0. ...
  • Finland. ...
  • Australia. ...
  • Germany. ...
  • Austria. ...
  • Belgium.
Oct 16, 2022

Which country will rule the world in 2025? ›

According to a recent report by Harvard University, “From economic complexity growth estimates, India is growing at the annual list at the rate of 7.9 percent as the fastest growing country for the coming decade.

What will be the strongest country by 2024? ›

1. China. China's economy has been growing at a slower pace thanks to the US-led trade war as well as softer domestic demand. Despite this, the superpower will still lead the way when it comes to global growth in 2024.

Which economies will be the most powerful in 2025? ›

The Asian powerhouse is forecast to have per capita gross domestic product, adjusted for purchasing power, equal to $25,307 in 2025. China's surging economy is set to overtake 56 countries in the world's per-capita income rankings during the quarter-century through 2025, the International Monetary Fund projects.

Which country will be richest in 2030? ›

GDP forecast 2030
  • 1 92.5 China. $ 43.879 Tn 2030.
  • 2 60.5 United States. $ 28.708 Tn 2030.
  • 3 37.8 — India. $ 17.948 Tn 2030.
  • 4 13.3 Japan. $ 6.337 Tn 2030.
  • 5 12.5 Indonesia. $ 5.951 Tn 2030.
  • 6 10.4 Russia. $ 4.973 Tn 2030.
  • 7 6.8 South Korea. $ 3.282 Tn 2030.
  • 8 +4 4.5 Pakistan. $ 2.159 Tn 2030.

Which three countries will become the world's three largest economy in 2050? ›

Our projections imply that the world's five largest economies in 2050 (measured in real USD) will be China, the US, India, Indonesia, and Germany (with Indonesia displacing Brazil and Russia among the largest EMs).

What is the fastest growing country in the US? ›

Maricopa County

Will China overtake US? ›

There is still much work to be done to propel China to the top of the world's economy, but it is certainly possible that the Chinese economy can surpass the power of the US by 2050. It may also be too early to make definitive projections of China's future.

Who are the 5 superpowers in the world? ›

China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States are often referred to as great powers by academics due to "their political and economic dominance of the global arena". These five nations are the only states to have permanent seats with veto power on the UN Security Council.

Who will rule the world in 2100? ›

A new study published yesterday in The Lancet journal has predicted that India, Nigeria, China and the United States (U.S.) will be dominant global powers by the year 2100. The publication's Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Richard Horton, said: “This research charts a future we need to be planning for urgently.

Which country will be the next superpower? ›

India is expected to overtake Germany in terms of GDP in 2025 and Japan in 2027 to become the third largest economy after the U.S. and China.

Is America the best country to live in? ›

The US is still the land of opportunity and still ranks as one of the most desirable countries in the world to move to. The US offers great career opportunities, an unparalleled lifestyle and one of the highest standards of living in the world – all in a beautiful environment.

Which is the fastest growing economy in world? ›

India's GDP grew 6.1 percent (compared to 4 percent in the same quarter of 2021–22), making it the fastest-growing among the world's top economies. Last year, the IMF's chief called India a bright spot in the global economy.

What country has the best quality of life? ›

1. Sweden. Sweden is the top country in 2022 best quality of life rankings. The country stands out in the ranking of quality of life for health systems and well-developed public education, security, economic stability, and politics.

Which country has the best quality of life in 2023? ›

The Netherlands ranks highest for quality of life in 2023

According to the most recent findings from Numbeo, the Netherlands ranks #1 for quality of life based on several factors including cost of living, crime rates, healthcare, commute times, and environmental pollution.

What countries are thriving right now? ›

  • United Arab Emirates. #1 in Movers. #21 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Egypt. #2 in Movers. #35 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Qatar. #3 in Movers. #29 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Saudi Arabia. #4 in Movers. #34 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • India. #5 in Movers. ...
  • China. #6 in Movers. ...
  • Thailand. #7 in Movers. ...
  • Japan. #8 in Movers.

Which country will be the most powerful in 2100? ›

In the univariate model, China will be the largest economy in the world in 2100, producing some 27% of global output. India will be the second largest economy accounting for 16.2% of global output and the US will be third with 12.3% of global output. So, it's the century of China then.

How long will a country last? ›

While this is a good question, it also isn't one that is typically tracked by any particular group or organization. Based on most reports and those who have done the research, the average country will survive approximately 150 years.

What will the year 2100 be like? ›

Heatwaves will be more frequent and long-lasting, causing droughts, global food shortages, migration, and increased spread of infectious diseases. Moreover, as the polar ice will melt, sea levels will rise substantially, affecting a large number of coastline cities and as many as 275 million of their inhabitants.

What is the strongest country in 2026? ›

  • United States: USD 29.3 trillion in 2026. ...
  • China: USD 24.3 trillion in 2026. ...
  • Japan: USD 5.4 trillion in 2026. ...
  • Germany: USD 5.2 trillion in 2026. ...
  • India: USD 5.0 trillion in 2026.
May 25, 2023

Which countries are potential superpower? ›

  • China. China is considered to be an emerging superpower or a potential superpower. ...
  • European Union. The European Union (EU) is considered to be an emerging superpower by many scholars. ...
  • India. India is a potential global superpower. ...
  • Russia. ...
  • Superpowers of the future.

Which country will be most powerful in 2027? ›

The Top 10 Economies in 2027
  1. United States. 2021: 1. 2022: 1. 2027: 1. ...
  2. China. 2021: 2. 2022: 2. 2027: 2. ...
  3. India. 2021: 6. 2022: 5. 2027: 3. ...
  4. Japan. 2021: 3. 2022: 3. 2027: 4. ...
  5. Germany. 2021: 4. 2022: 4. 2027: 5. ...
  6. United Kingdom. 2021: 5. 2022: 6. 2027: 6. ...
  7. France. 2021: 7. 2022: 7. 2027: 7. ...
  8. Canada. 2021: 9. 2022: 8. 2027: 8.
Dec 8, 2022

Can India overtake US economy? ›

Recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) projections show that India is likely to pip Germany and Japan to become the third biggest economy in the world, behind the USA and China, by 2027. But how long before India emerges as the top dog? India needs to grow at 14% to be the top economy by 2047.

What will be the top economies in 2035? ›

China is forecast to overtake the US as the world's largest economy by around 2035, while India is expected to become the world's second largest by 2075. The two countries will be followed by the US in third place, according to a long-term outlook by Goldman Sachs.

Who controls the world economy? ›

The IMF monitors the international monetary system and global economic developments to identify risks and recommend policies for growth and financial stability. The Fund also undertakes a regular health check of the economic and financial policies of its 190 member countries.

Who will rule the world in 2050? ›

While challenges remain, most experts believe that China will be the new superpower by 2050. China GDP in 2050 is expected to be around $58.5 trillion.

What is the most powerful country in 2040? ›

China to Surpass U.S. Economy, Reclaim Global Power Role by 2040, Intel Report Says. China is set to surpass the United States as the world's largest economy and advance down a path toward reclaiming a global power role within the next two decades, according to a new report by the U.S. Intelligence Community.

Which country will be richest in 2060? ›

In a long-term economic forecast covering 65 economies, Tokyo-based think tank the Japan Center for Economic Research has found that China and India will account for 35% of global gross domestic product in 2060, nearing the U.S. and European nations' combined share.

Who will be the largest superpower in the future? ›

By 2050, more countries are likely to be defined as superpowers, joining the United States and creating a multipolar world order. Extrapolating current economic, geopolitical, and demographic trends would suggest that China is likely to become a new superpower, although its economy is currently faltering.

What will be the world superpower in 2050? ›

Summary: GPC in 2050 will be between China, Russia, and the United States. China will emerge as the world's preeminent superpower, on the strength of its understanding of the future operating environment in 2050, as well as possession of the requisite resources to support its ambitions.

What will the strongest economy be in 2030? ›

China is set to be the world's largest economy by 2030. China's push towards robotics could mean higher productivity and even faster GDP growth. Bangladesh likely to be the biggest mover in the global GDP rankings (42nd to 26th), followed by Philippines, Pakistan and Vietnam...

Where will be the US economy by 2050? ›

The US share of the global economy has dropped from 28 percent in 1950 to about 17 percent today. Our central forecast is for a share of perhaps 12 percent in 2050, while our scenarios suggest a range between 6.7 percent and 18.6 percent.

What is the world's strongest economy? ›

Biggest economies in 2021 by gross domestic product
RankCountryGDP in $ per capita
1United States70,249
2China12,556
3Japan39,313
4Germany51,204
46 more rows

When did USA become largest economy? ›

The United States has been the world's largest national economy in terms of GDP since at least the 1920s.

Will 2023 be a good year for the economy? ›

The baseline forecast is for growth to fall from 3.4 percent in 2022 to 2.8 percent in 2023, before settling at 3.0 percent in 2024. Advanced economies are expected to see an especially pronounced growth slowdown, from 2.7 percent in 2022 to 1.3 percent in 2023.

Who will have the fastest growing GDP in 2023? ›

1.1 percent (US), 4.5 percent (China), 1.6 percent (Japan), (-) 0.3 percent (Germany), 6.1 percent (India). These widely varying figures are the real or inflation-adjusted gross domestic product (GDP) growth numbers of the world's top five economies during January–March 2023.

What is the future of the world economy in 2023? ›

According to the report, the world economy is now projected to grow by 2.3 per cent in 2023 (+0.4 percentage points from the January forecast) and 2.5 per cent in 2024 (-0.2 percentage points), a slight uptick in the global growth forecast for 2023.

How bad will the US recession be in 2023? ›

The threat of a U.S. recession remains alive in 2023. The consensus estimate on the probability of a meaningful downturn in the American economy in the next 12 months is at 65%, according to Goldman Sachs Research. But our own economic analysis rates that probability much lower, at 35%.

Will US enter recession in 2023? ›

Economic experts are once again ringing the alarm bells over an imminent downturn. A US recession is coming, they say, in the second half of 2023. That time frame begins less than three weeks from now.

Will recession hit hard in 2023? ›

Geopolitical tensions, energy market imbalances, persistently high inflation and rising interest rates have many investors and economists concerned that a U.S. recession is inevitable in 2023. The risk of recession has been rising as the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates in its ongoing battle against inflation.

What is the fastest growing city in the world? ›

The fastest-growing cities in the world, according to the UN, are Delhi, Shanghai, Dhaka, Kinshasa, Chongqing, Lahore, Bangalore, Lagos, Cairo and Beijing.

What countries populations are growing the fastest? ›

Population growth rate
RankCountryDate of Information
1Syria2023 est.
2South Sudan2023 est.
3Niger2023 est.
4Burundi2023 est.
117 more rows

Will China ever overtake the US? ›

There is still much work to be done to propel China to the top of the world's economy, but it is certainly possible that the Chinese economy can surpass the power of the US by 2050. It may also be too early to make definitive projections of China's future.

What is the crisis of 2023? ›

On January 19, 2023, the United States hit its debt ceiling, leading to a debt-ceiling crisis, part of an ongoing political debate within Congress about federal government spending and the national debt that the U.S. government accrues.

What will happen to the US economy in 2023? ›

Growth of real GDP is now projected to average 2.5 percent a year over the 2024–2026 period, compared with the 1.5 percent a year projected last spring. CBO's projection of nominal GDP growth in 2023, 3.1 percent, is also lower than its previous forecast, 4.5 percent.

What is the US economic situation for 2023? ›

We expect real GDP to grow 0.9% in 2023 overall, but the economy will contract at an average annual rate of 2.2% across the third and fourth quarters as reduced bank lending shaves roughly 0.25 ppt off real GDP growth this year.

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