China overtakes US as world’s richest nation as global wealth surges (2024)

By India Today Web Desk: China has surpassed the United States to become the richest nation in the world as global wealth tripled over the past two decades, according to a new report by the research arm of consultants McKinsey & Co.

The report has been prepared after examining the national balance sheets of 10 countries, representing more than 60 per cent of world income. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, Jan Mischke, a partner at the McKinsey Global Institute in Zurich, said, “We are now wealthier than we have ever been.”

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The worldwide net worth rose to $514 trillion in 2020, from $156 trillion in 2000, according to research conducted by McKinsey & Co. China emerged at the top of the worldwide list, accounting for almost one-third of the increase.

China’s wealth jumped to $120 trillion in 2020 from just $7 trillion in 2000. This marks a jump of $113 trillion in 20 years, helping the nation surpass the United States in terms of net worth.

During the same period, the US saw its net worth more than double to $90 trillion. However, the nation could not beat China due to muted increases in property prices.

RICHEST 10% DOMINATE

It is worth noting that in both the US and China, more than two-thirds of the wealth is held by the richest 10 per cent of households, and their share has been increasing, according to the McKinsey & Co report quoted by Bloomberg.

The report also indicated that 68 per cent of global net worth is stored in real estate and the balance is held in assets such as infrastructure, machinery and equipment. Intangible assets like intellectual property and patents also make up a small amount of global net worth.

Read | World’s richest 1% gaining wealth fastest in 10 nations: Report

It is worth mentioning that financial assets are not counted in the global wealth calculation as they are effectively offset by liabilities.

THE CONCERN OVER RISING GLOBAL WEALTH

The report by McKinsey & Co also indicated the steep rise in net worth over the past two decades has outstripped the increase in global gross domestic product and has been fuelled by skyrocketing property prices as a result of declining interest rates.

The research found that asset prices are almost 50 per cent above their long-run average relative to income. That raises questions about the sustainability of the wealth boom.

Jan Mischke told Bloomberg that there are concerns over the pattern in which global net worth has increased, highlighting how high real estate prices have contributed to it. He said, “Net worth via price increases above and beyond inflation is questionable in so many ways. It comes with all kinds of side effects."

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For instance, the rising real estate values are making it impossible for so many people to buy homes. This also increased the risk of a financial crisis like the housing bubble that ravaged the US in 2008 as more people will be forced to borrow in order to buy houses.

Recent trends emerging from China are also alarming, as the country’s high real estate prices have led to lower sales and many major property developers are defaulting. The recent episode involving China’s Evergrande Group is one example of how high property prices could ultimately hurt the country’s economy.

In such a scenario, the report suggests that the world’s wealth needs to find its way into more productive investments, which can help in expanding global GDP in a more purposeful manner.

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China overtakes US as world’s richest nation as global wealth surges (2024)

FAQs

China overtakes US as world’s richest nation as global wealth surges? ›

China emerged at the top of the worldwide list, accounting for almost one-third of the increase. China's wealth jumped to $120 trillion in 2020 from just $7 trillion in 2000. This marks a jump of $113 trillion in 20 years, helping the nation surpass the United States in terms of net worth.

Has China overtake the US as richest country? ›

TOKYO/BEIJING -- China's net worth reached $120 trillion in 2020 to overtake the U.S.'s $89 trillion as a red-hot real estate market drove up property value, according to a report by McKinsey Global Institute.

Did China overtake the US Bloomberg? ›

China Overtakes US With $306 Billion Corporate Credit Boom - Bloomberg.

Is the US really the richest country in the world? ›

The USA is the only country with a large surface area and population among the highest-ranking nations, ranking eleventh. The richest country in the world is Luxembourg.

Has China become the richest country? ›

China has beat the U.S. to become the world's richest nation, according to a new report. Key findings: Global net worth soared from $156 million in 2000 to $514 trillion in 2020, making the world wealthier than it was at any point in history.

Is China overtaking US economy? ›

The one sector where China continues to fall behind the United States is economic performance. This might be surprising since China is currently the second largest economy in the world and is poised to overtake the size of the US economy by 2050.

Will China overtake the US economy? ›

Rajah last year projected that while China would become the world's biggest economy by 2030, “its size advantage over America would be slim and it would remain far less prosperous and productive per person than the United States and other rich countries, even by mid-century.” The Japan Center for Economic Research, ...

Does China overtake US in Fortune 500? ›

China is home to 136 companies on this year's Global 500, eclipsing the U.S., which was home to 124 firms. Add in the nine companies from Taiwan, and the total number of firms from Greater China rises to 145.

Is China richer than the United States? ›

The U.S. makes up 23.93% of the total global economy, says Investopedia. The World Bank Group lists China as the second richest country in the world as of 2021, possessing a GDP of $17.734 trillion along with a GDP per capita of $12,556.3. China makes up 18.45% of the total global economy.

How much of US economy is tied to China? ›

U.S. goods and services trade with China totaled an estimated $615.2 billion in 2020. Exports were $164.9 billion; imports were $450.4 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade deficit with China was $285.5 billion in 2020.

Which country is richest before USA? ›

Did you know for over 1700 years (0001 AD - 1700 AD) India was the richest country in the world!!! Friends look at the following graph, for over 1700 years India was the richest country, while China was at second spot and USA was the most poorest country in the world with GDP's less than 1%.

Which country is richest than USA? ›

According to the IMF, the wealthiest nation in the world 2022 for GDP per capita was Luxembourg, with a sum of $127,673. For the sake of comparison, while the US has an overall GDP of $26.19 trillion, its GDP per capita is much lower at $75,180 than tax havens like Luxembourg, with a GDP per capita of $127,673.

Why is United States so rich? ›

The American economy is fueled by high productivity, transportation infrastructure, and extensive natural resources. Americans have the highest average household and employee income among OECD member states.

How did China become the richest country? ›

The steep rise in net worth over the past two decades has outstripped the increase in global gross domestic product and has been fueled by ballooning property prices pumped up by declining interest rates, according to McKinsey. It found that asset prices are almost 50% above their long-run average relative to income.

How much is China in debt? ›

In this line, data acquired by Finbold indicates that as of April 12, China's national debt amounted to $14.34 trillion, ranking second globally. This value reflects a year-on-year (YoY) increase of $3.81 trillion, or 36.18%, compared to the $10.53 trillion recorded in 2022.

Is China more poor than the US? ›

In United States, 15.1% live below the poverty line as of 2010. In China, however, that number is 0.6% as of 2019. United States has a GDP per capita of $60,200 as of 2020, while in China, the GDP per capita is $16,400 as of 2020.

Does China owe the US money? ›

As of January 2023, the five countries owning the most US debt are Japan ($1.1 trillion), China ($859 billion), the United Kingdom ($668 billion), Belgium ($331 billion), and Luxembourg ($318 billion).

Is China more advanced than the US? ›

In other words, on a proportional basis, China is now roughly 75 percent as advanced in innovation and advanced-industry production as the United States. If this relative growth continues apace, China will surpass the United States by 2035.

When did China's economy overtake US? ›

No peak was in sight. At the end of last year the bank revisited its calculations. It now thinks China's economy will not overtake America's until 2035 and at its high point will be only 14% bigger (see chart).

Is China a threat to the US economy? ›

Many Americans continue to view China as a threat to the United States, both militarily and economically: 65% say China is at least a somewhat serious economic threat to the U.S. and 57% say it is at least a somewhat serious military threat.

Is the US or China better off economically? ›

The U.S. currently has the largest economy in the world by far with $23 trillion in 2021 GDP, according to the World Bank's data, while China has the second-largest GDP at $18 trillion and India the sixth-largest at $3 trillion.

Will China surpass the US in military air superiority? ›

China is on pace to surpass the United States in 5th generation fighter production, a dynamic shift with significant implications for the balance of air power in the Pacific.

Will China overtake the US and become the world's largest economy by 2030? ›

"China would overtake the United States to become the world's largest economy in nominal US dollar terms by about 2030," the report's authors conclude. "But it would never establish a meaningful lead ... and would remain far less prosperous and productive per person than America, even by mid-century."

Is the US economy growing faster than China's? ›

China Is Growing Much Faster Than the U.S. Why It Matters for Global Power.

Does China rely on the US? ›

China has shifted purchases away from the United States to reduce its reliance on US suppliers, but US farmers remain highly dependent on the Chinese market. In 2022, around 19 percent of US agriculture exports went to China, up from 14 percent in 2017 and 13 percent in 2009.

Does China rely on the US for food? ›

Corn, Sorghum, and Alfalfa Hay

China has boosted its corn supplies with imports mostly from the United States. China is also a major buyer of other U.S. feedstuffs including sorghum and alfalfa hay. Like demand for soybeans, robust demand from pork and poultry sectors propelled higher volumes of feed grain imports.

What would happen if the US stopped importing from China? ›

This data suggests that if U.S. hypothetically stops buying Chinese goods, China's export will suffer a 18% loss, which accounts for 18%*20% = 3.6% of China's GDP. It is unlikely a 3.6% loss in GDP will collapse the Chinese economy.

When was America at its richest? ›

America's Gilded Age, which ran roughly from the 1870s to the turn of the 20th century, was a veritable factory of multi-millionaires — the equivalent of billionaires today — but wealthy Americans have come from every age.

Who is No 1 richest person in the world? ›

Who is the richest man in the world? As of June 1, 2023, the richest man in the world is Bernard Arnault, the CEO and chairman of LVMH of France; he's worth $215 billion. He moved into the number one spot after Elon Musk's fortune fell in late 2022 as shares of electric carmaker Tesla fell.

What country is the richest man ever? ›

76 Countries Ranked by the Net Worth of Their Wealthiest Person
CountryName
1FranceBernard Arnault and family
2United StatesElon Musk
3MexicoCarlos Slim Helu and family
4IndiaMukesh Ambani
47 more rows

What is the richest state in America? ›

New York is the richest state in the US, with a GDP per capita at $96,5k. This means that New York is responsible for around 9% of America's entire economic output, the highest percentage amongst the 50 states.

Why is USA richer than Canada? ›

In the U.S., there is a greater differential in earning power than there is in Canada between people with more education and their less educated countrymen, which is one reason for the prosperity gap between our two countries.

Which is the richest continent in the United States? ›

North America has the highest continental gdp per capita by both GDP Nominal and PPP in the world.

Why millionaires are leaving USA? ›

American millionaires are moving overseas, and it's not to dodge taxes, a consultancy firm says. They're trying to future-proof their wealth, fearing crime and instability in the US, per the analysis. Net inflows of wealthy people into the US fell to 1,500 in 2022, down from a peak 10,800 pre-pandemic.

Is the US actually wealthy? ›

1. There's a lot of wealth out there. American households held over $98 trillion of wealth in 2018. Wealth, or net worth, is defined as total assets minus total liabilities.

Why is USA so successful? ›

So much of America's power comes from its size: it is one the largest countries on Earth by population and area, and is rich in natural resources and human capital. It is also in many ways an island nation; because it faces no major threats on its borders, it is freer to project power globally.

Why does China make so much money? ›

In addition to its low labor costs, China has become known as "the world's factory" because of its strong business ecosystem, lack of regulatory compliance, low taxes and duties, and competitive currency practices.

Where did China get its money? ›

Manufacturing, services and agriculture are the largest sectors of the Chinese economy – employing the majority of the population and making the largest contributions to GDP. Since 1949, the Chinese Government has been responsible for planning and managing the national economy.

Why is China so important to the global economy? ›

It is one of the world's fastest growing countries and is the tenth largest exporter. China is also a significant recipient of foreign aid and a major borrower on international capital markets.

Who owes China the most debt? ›

At the end of 2021, of the 98 countries for whom data was available, Pakistan ($27.4bn of external debt to China), Angola (22.0bn), Ethiopia (7.4bn), Kenya (7.4bn) and Sri Lanka (7.2bn) held the biggest debts to China.

How does the US owe China so much money? ›

U.S. debt to China comes in the form of U.S. Treasuries, largely due to their safety and stability. Although there are worries about China selling off U.S. debt, which would hamper economic growth, doing so in large amounts poses risks for China as well, making it unlikely to happen.

How much is America in debt? ›

It's simple. For years, what the U.S. government spent on those things was far greater than the amount of money it had brought in to pay for them. That stacked up to that $31.4 trillion in debt we have now.

What is the average wage in China? ›

The median salary in China is 26,800 Yuan (USD 3,855) per month. That means half of the population draws an average income less than the median salary. In contrast, the other half earns more than the median salary.

Is China income inequality compared to the United States? ›

The Gini coefficient, one of the most widely used metrics of inequality, shows that in 2019 the United States (0.481) and China (0.465) both still have highly unequal income distributions in absolute terms and relative to other countries.

Is China now richer than USA? ›

The United States is the richest country in the world with the highest GDP, as of 2021. China is the second richest country in the world with a $17.734 trillion GDP.

How rich is China compared to the US? ›

The U.S. currently has the largest economy in the world by far with $23 trillion in 2021 GDP, according to the World Bank's data, while China has the second-largest GDP at $18 trillion and India the sixth-largest at $3 trillion.

What is the wealthiest country in the United States? ›

Richest counties in the U.S. by median and mean income and poverty rate
RankCountyState
1Falls Church cityVirginia
2Loudoun CountyVirginia
3San Mateo CountyCalifornia
4Santa Clara CountyCalifornia
16 more rows
Jan 31, 2023

Does the US have more poverty than China? ›

To a reasonable level of accuracy there's no one in China in the bottom 10% of the world's population by wealth. And yet there's some 10% of those global poor in North America, and another 20% or so in Europe. So, yes, it really is true that there're more poor people in America (and Europe) than there are in China.

How much does China depend on the US? ›

China has shifted purchases away from the United States to reduce its reliance on US suppliers, but US farmers remain highly dependent on the Chinese market. In 2022, around 19 percent of US agriculture exports went to China, up from 14 percent in 2017 and 13 percent in 2009.

How much does the US owe China? ›

Top Foreign Holders of U.S. Debt
RankCountryU.S. Treasury Holdings
1🇯🇵 Japan$1,076B
2🇨🇳 China$867B
3🇬🇧 United Kingdom$655B
4🇧🇪 Belgium$354B
6 more rows
Mar 24, 2023

What if the US stopped buying from China? ›

Answer and Explanation: It is unlikely that China's economy will collapse if U.S. stops buying Chinese goods. Trade is an important part of any economy, and a very important part of China's economy. According to the World Bank, exports account for 20% of China's gross domestic product.

How much does China affect the US economy? ›

Trade surged: the value of U.S. goods imports from China rose from about $100 billion in 2001 to $500 billion in 2021. This leap in imports is due in part to China's critical position in global supply chains; Chinese factories assemble products for export to the United States using components from all over the world.

What year will China be the biggest economy? ›

The age of “peak China”, as they call it, is upon us—and it is far less Olympian a summit than most had predicted. In 2011 Goldman Sachs projected that China's GDP would surpass America's in 2026 and become over 50% larger by mid-century.

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