What is the richest country in the world? Is it China? Here's what the numbers show. (2024)

  • 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.
  • Monaco is the richest country in the world when measured by GDP per capita.

Economic wealth can be a prime statistic to measure whether a country is growing economically and moving forward, according to Investopedia. Gross domestic product trends can also be utilized to identify economic recessions.

Another measurable statistic to track a country’s success is GDP per capita. This calculates a nation’s GDP, but accounts for its population as well, enabling a closer look at the economic strength of each citizen.

What is the richest country in the world? Where does the United Statesstand? What about China?

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What is the richest country in the world? Is it China? Here's what the numbers show. (1)

What is the richest country in the world byGDP?

As of 2021, the richest country in the world by GDP is the United States, according to the World Bank Group. The U.S. has a GDP of $22.996 trillion, paired with a GDP per capita of $69,287. 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 worldas 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. The top two richest countries in the world combined harbor 42.38% of the world’s economy.

The third richest country in the world by GDP is Japan at $4.937 trillion in GDP and a $39,285.2 GDP per capita.

According to the International Monetary Fund, GDP is “the monetary value of final goods and services…produced in a country in a given period of time (say a quarter or a year).” GDP is commonly used to measure a country’s economic wealth.

What is the richest country in the world by GDP per capita?

Monaco is the richest country in the world when measured by GDP per capita, according to the World Bank Group. Monaco possesses a $173,688.20 GDP per capita, based on its most recent value in 2020.

Liechtenstein, based on 2019 figures, held a $169,049.20 GDP per capita, making it the second richest country in the world when calculating GDP per capita.

Luxembourg is the third richest country in the world when calculating GDP per capita. As of 2021, it measured at $135,682.8.

GDP per capita represents “a country’s economic output per person,” according to Investopedia, and it is found by dividing the country’s GDP by its population.

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Who is the richest person in the world?

Elon Musk is the richest person in the world, with a total net worth of $254 billion as of August 2022, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

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What is the richest country in the world? Is it China? Here's what the numbers show. (2024)

FAQs

What is the rank of China in richest country? ›

What is the richest country in the world? Is it China? Here's what the numbers show.
  • 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.
Oct 25, 2022

How rich is China in the world? ›

Economy of China
Country groupDeveloping/Emerging market economy Upper-middle income country
Statistics
Population1,411,750,000 (31 December 2022 est.)
GDP$19.373 trillion (nominal; 2023 est.) $33.014 trillion (PPP; 2023 est.)
GDP rank2nd (nominal; 2023) 1st (PPP; 2023)
39 more rows

Which country is the richest in the world 2023? ›

Luxembourg

Is China a rich or Poor country? ›

According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, national gross domestic product per capita reached 85,698 yuan in 2022, or about US$12,741 based on the yuan's average exchange rate last year. That puts the country just slightly below the World Bank's high-income threshold of US$13,205, as of July 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.

Is China richer than Japan? ›

In 2019, Japan's total GDP was estimated at around $5 trillion while China's was estimated at around $14 trillion - making it almost three times larger than Japan's economy. If only the gross domestic product (GDP) is accounted for, then China ranks as the richest country in both Asia and the world.

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.

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

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.

Is China the richest country 2023? ›

Luxembourg is currently the richest country in the world, with a GDP per capita of $141,590.

How rich is 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.

What is the most powerful country in the world? ›

The United States. It consists of 50 states, and its economic and military power is unmatched. This North American country has maintained the position of a superpower nation for decades. The United States is the most powerful country in the world.

How rich is the average Chinese person? ›

Credit Suisse found China's median wealth outpaced Europe's in its 2021 Global Wealth Report. The average Chinese citizen has a wealth of $26,752, around $60 more than the average European. Chinese wealth has surged in the past two decades, with median wealth per adult growing more than eight-fold.

What is the richest country in the US? ›

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

When did China become a rich country? ›

The adoption of economic reforms by China in the late 1970s led to a surge in China's economic growth and helped restore China as a major global economic power.

Is the US more expensive than China? ›

On average, China's cost of living is 45% lower than the U.S according to Numbeo. Rent in China is 60% lower than the U.S. on average.

What is the average salary in China? ›

In 2021, the last full year for which Beijing's National Bureau of Statistics offers data, the average Chinese worker earned 105,000 yuan a year, the equivalent of $16,153. The average American worker earned some $58,120 a year, 3.5 times his or her Chinese counterpart — still wide but not what it was.

Is China a good place to live in? ›

Is living in China safe? Yes, many expats, especially women, find living in China is much safer than in cities like London or New York. Street harassment and catcalling is virtually unheard of for foreigners, and streets tend to be well lit at night.

Who is the richest state in the world? ›

The richest country in the world is Luxembourg.

Why is America the richest country? ›

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.

Is USA richer than Japan? ›

Here are the 10 richest countries in the world: United States - $18.62 Tn. China - $11.22 Tn. Japan - $4.94 Tn.

Is USA cheaper than China? ›

China is 44% cheaper than United States.

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.

What is the fastest growing country in the world? ›

India. 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.

Who owes the US money? ›

Many people believe that much of the U.S. national debt is owed to foreign countries like China and Japan, but the truth is that most of it is owed to Social Security and pension funds right here in the U.S. This means that U.S. citizens own most of the national debt.

Why does the US owe so much money to China? ›

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.

Does the US still owe money to China? ›

Japan and China have been the largest foreign holders of US debt for the last two decades. Japan and China held almost 50% of all foreign-owned US debt between 2004 and 2006. However, this has declined over time, and as of 2022 they controlled approximately 25% of foreign-owned debt.

Does China have better technology than the US? ›

China has a significant lead in key areas of technology compared to the U.S. The cutting edge of technology in 2023 is artificial intelligence, with the (sometimes creepy) ChatGPT nearing an “iPhone moment” as a revolutionary tool that is being adopted at record speed.

What 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. Modi has pledged to make India a developed country by 2047, when it celebrates the 100th anniversary of its independence.

Is China in a debt crisis? ›

China's $23 Trillion Local Debt Crisis Threatens Xi's Economy - Bloomberg.

Who is No 1 richest person in the world? ›

Bernard Arnault

Billionaire, businessman and the chairman and chief executive of LVMH (LVMUY), Bernard Arnault holds the crown as the richest person in the world. According to Forbes, Arnault has a fortune of $217.9 billion.

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 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.

Is Mexico the richest country? ›

The economy of Mexico is a developing mixed-market economy. It is the 14th largest in the world in nominal GDP terms and the 13th largest by purchasing power parity, according to the International Monetary Fund. Since the 1994 crisis, administrations have improved the country's macroeconomic fundamentals.

What country has most billionaires? ›

The country with the highest number of billionaires is, unsurprisingly, the US. The United States of America has 735 billionaires – same as last year, according to Forbes.

Who is the richest family in the world? ›

The Walton Family is the richest family in the world. It owes its wealth to the Walmart company started by brothers Sam & Bud Walton in Northwest Arkansas more than six decades ago.

Who has the strongest military? ›

1. United States Of America. US Military has the biggest defence budget in the world. They are known for their most powerful Air Force on the planet, named as United States Air Force (USAF).

Who is more powerful the US or Russia? ›

The US dominates the air with far more bases, fighter jets and bombers than Russia but Russia is superior on the ground with more tanks, artillery and land vehicles. At sea, the countries are more evenly matched, but here the US has the edge with more destroyers, submarines and aircraft carriers.

How much does the average Chinese person make a month? ›

1. Median salary. 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.

Is Russia richer than China? ›

China dominates every aspect of the bilateral economic relationship, as a net exporter, net creditor and net investor, despite Russia long being a richer country than China.

How many millionaires live in China? ›

China — with a population of 1.4 billion — has 780,000 people holding assets worth $1 million or more, while the US — with a population of 332 million — has 5.27 million people in the same category. That data came from a wealth report by the consultancy Henley & Partners, published in 2023.

What is the richest city in America? ›

1. Atherton, CA. The richest city in the US is Atherton, California. It has a median household income of $450,690, which is almost seven times higher than the average American household income of $69,021.

Is Canada richer than the US? ›

While the United States is much larger than its northern neighbor in terms of GDP, the average income per capita is similar in both places. While people generally pay more in taxes in the United States, Canada offers superior social benefits.

Why is California so rich? ›

Agriculture is one of the prominent elements of the state's economy: California leads the nation in the production of fruits, vegetables, wines and nuts. The state's most valuable crops are cannabis, nuts, grapes, cotton, flowers, and oranges. California produces the major share of U.S. domestic wine.

Who is richer between USA and China? ›

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.

What is China's main food source? ›

Rice, maize and wheat are the three major crops, and the production of these three crops accounts for more than 90% of China's total food production.

Did China beat US to become richest country? ›

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.

What is China ranked in 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

Is China richer than Europe? ›

Credit Suisse found China's median wealth outpaced Europe's in its 2021 Global Wealth Report. The average Chinese citizen has a wealth of $26,752, around $60 more than the average European. Chinese wealth has surged in the past two decades, with median wealth per adult growing more than eight-fold.

Who is the top 10 richest in world? ›

Top 10 richest people in the world
Name & RankCountryNet Worth (in Billions)
#1. Elon MuskUSA$226.4
#2. Bernard Arnault & familyFrance$217.8
#3. Jeff BezosUSA$146.2
#4. Larry EllisonUSA$138.3
6 more rows
2 days ago

Is China richer than Brazil? ›

Brazil's per capita income is more than double China's - $8,230 vs. $3,650 in 2009. Its mortality rates, education rates and urban development rates all top China's.

Whose economy is better China or USA? ›

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.

Does the U.S. have a better economy than China? ›

At the beginning of 2023, the U.S.'s real GDP stood at around $20 trillion and China's at around $16 trillion—leaving a gap of $4 trillion.

What country is #1 in economy? ›

According to the latest available data from the World Bank, the United States of America is currently the world's largest economy, with a GDP of over $23 trillion in 2021.

How much richer is the US than China? ›

"America is in a league of its own, with three times the total wealth of China and seven times as many dollar millionaires," the report said. The US has 9,630 centimillionaires, or people with a net worth of $100 million or higher, and 770 billionaires, according to the firm.

Who is No 1 richest man in the world now? ›

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.

Who has most cash in the world? ›

The top 10 richest people in the world are:
  • Jeff Bezos.
  • Bill Gates.
  • Larry Ellison.
  • Steve Ballmer.
  • Warren Buffett.
  • Larry Page.
  • Sergey Brin.
  • Mark Zuckerberg2.

Who is the #1 richest person in the world? ›

Billionaire, businessman and the chairman and chief executive of LVMH (LVMUY), Bernard Arnault holds the crown as the richest person in the world. According to Forbes, Arnault has a fortune of $217.9 billion.

Is India or China poorer? ›

The country's nominal GDP of USD 18 trillion is roughly six times that of India. China has historically had a larger population. And in the previous decade, China's real GDP growth outpaced India's by over 1.5 percentage points annually. However, the tables are set to be at least partly turned in the coming years.

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