The US economy leads in per-capita GDP ($76,398 vs $12,720) and technological innovation, while China's economy is larger in nominal terms at $17.9 trillion vs $28.7 trillion USD nominal GDP, making each dominant in different economic metrics.
United States vs China Economy 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest economy by nominal GDP with advanced financial markets, technological leadership, and high consumer spending
World's second-largest economy with rapid industrialization, massive manufacturing base, and emerging tech sector.
Nominal GDP. GDP Per Capita. PPP GDP (Purchasing Power Parity). Unemployment Rate. Manufacturing Share of Economy. Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024). R&D Spending as % of GDP
Choose the US economy for advanced technology, innovation leadership, consumer purchasing power, and financial market depth. Choose China's economy for manufacturing scale, PPP-adjusted size, labor cost advantages, and rapid infrastructure development. Neither is objectively 'better'—they represent different economic models with distinct strengths in different sectors.
United States Economy: $30.0-30.5 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 17% | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: ~6% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~16% | China Economy: 35%
United States Economy: ~3.8-4.0% | China Economy: N/A
Advanced Semiconductor Market Leadership
United States Economy: Dominant (Intel, TSMC partnership, Samsung); controls cutting-edge nodes | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 20-25% | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: Global leader in design and manufacturing | China Economy: Limited by US export controls, advancing in AI adoption
United States Economy: Moderate exposure | China Economy: -0.5 to -2%
United States Economy: 2.2% | China Economy: 4.5-5.0%
United States Economy: $925.8 billion | China Economy: $296.5 billion
United States Economy: $4.18 trillion (2024) | China Economy: $620.1 billion
United States Economy: 0.3-0.5% | China Economy: 0.5-2.0%
United States Economy: 30.0+ | China Economy: $17.9
United States Economy: $4,175 billion | China Economy: $620 billion
United States Economy: $4,481 | China Economy: $525
United States Economy: ~20% | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: 6% | China Economy: 82%
United States Economy: Leading edge (3nm and below) | China Economy: Restricted to 7nm+ (export controls)
United States Economy: Minimal negative impact | China Economy: -0.5 to -2.0%
United States Economy: ~10% | China Economy: ~80%
United States Economy: Leading in design and manufacturing | China Economy: Limited by US export controls
United States Economy: Minimal (exporter advantage) | China Economy: $400-800B reduction
United States Economy: 2.0-2.5% | China Economy: 4.6-4.8%
United States Economy: €925.8 billion | China Economy: €296.5 billion
United States Economy: 2.0-2.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 25-30% of global EVs | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: 8-10% | China Economy: 80%+
United States Economy: ~4.0% | China Economy: ~5.2%
United States Economy: $310 billion | China Economy: $680 billion
United States Economy: $4,175,432 million (2024) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: €925,796.8 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $89,000 | China Economy: $13,500
United States Economy: $10,266.8 | China Economy: $5,708.7
United States Economy: $925.8 | China Economy: $296.5
United States Economy: Global market leader | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Lower exposure | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~6% of global | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: €925.8 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.0-2.5% | China Economy: 4.5-5.0%
United States Economy: 6% | China Economy: 94%
United States Economy: Minimal | China Economy: 0.5-2.0%
United States Economy: 0.4-0.6% | China Economy: 0.2-0.3%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
United States Economy: ~15% | China Economy: 94%
United States Economy: $89,000+ | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 9% | China Economy: 82%
United States Economy: 0.2-0.4pp | China Economy: 0.5-2.0pp
United States Economy: 0.3-0.5% (from AI investment) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.2% | China Economy: 4.2%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production Share
United States Economy: 4% | China Economy: 94%
United States Economy: 15% | China Economy: 70%
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: 80%
United States Economy: $50-150B | China Economy: $400-800B
United States Economy: $31.5 trillion | China Economy: $45.78 trillion
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: 6.0%
United States Economy: 1st | China Economy: 2nd
United States Economy: 123% (combined public+private+household) | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: 0.34 billion | China Economy: 1,425 million
United States Economy: $809 billion | China Economy: $680 billion
United States Economy: ~4.0% | China Economy: ~5.5%
United States Economy: AI, semiconductors, cloud, fintech | China Economy: EV manufacturing, 5G, solar, semiconductors
United States Economy: $35,000-45,000 | China Economy: $16,800 (119,800 yuan)
United States Economy: $94,430 | China Economy: $14,874
United States Economy: $94,430 | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: $11.1 trillion ahead | China Economy: $11.1 trillion behind
United States Economy: Data not available | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: Data not available | China Economy: 6.1%
United States Economy: ~25-26% of global GDP | China Economy: ~16-17% of global GDP
United States Economy: Data not available | China Economy: 0.9% CPI
United States Economy: 1st | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 1st (maintained) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~1.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: Not specified | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.0 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $85,000 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $18.7 trillion
United States Economy: €10,217,935.3 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $3,981 | China Economy: €467
United States Economy: 44.5 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: ~2.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 1 EUR = 1.1797 USD | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.0-2.4% | China Economy: 3-4%
United States Economy: 2.0% | China Economy: Data not available
United States Economy: $96,500+ | China Economy: $14,800+
United States Economy: $11.53 trillion lead | China Economy: 36% smaller than US
United States Economy: $27.23 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 122.27% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 37.74% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $925.8 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 336 million | China Economy: 1,420 million
United States Economy: 2.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.8% | China Economy: 27%
United States Economy: 25.5% | China Economy: 14.3%
United States Economy: 38.5 years | China Economy: 38.8 years
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: 4.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.9% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $156 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 167 companies | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4T | China Economy: $17.9T
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: 5.2%
United States Economy: $82,000 | China Economy: $12,500
United States Economy: $0.13T | China Economy: $3.4T
United States Economy: 4.1% | China Economy: 5.3%
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: 31%
United States Economy: $15.2T (Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Nvidia, Tesla, Broadcom) | China Economy: $4.8T (Alibaba, Tencent, Meituan weighted total)
United States Economy: 38.9 years | China Economy: 37.4 years (projected 53 by 2050)
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
United States Economy: $82,000 | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: $76,398 | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: 2.8% | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: $2.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $285 billion (2023) | China Economy: $189B
United States Economy: $82,500 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 4.1% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $62,400 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 339 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 65% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: $76,398 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: $0.13 trillion | China Economy: $3,200 billion
United States Economy: 129% | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: $652 billion
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $80,412 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.3% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: $12.8 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: 340 million | China Economy: 1,420 million
United States Economy: 21% of electricity | China Economy: 18%
United States Economy: 135 companies | China Economy: 142 companies
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $3.8 trillion
United States Economy: $33.2 trillion | China Economy: $10.8 trillion
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 4.8%
United States Economy: 11% | China Economy: 28.4%
United States Economy: 80.1% | China Economy: 54.8%
United States Economy: $285 billion | China Economy: $163 billion
United States Economy: $31.2 trillion | China Economy: $22.8 trillion
United States Economy: 16% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: -$73 billion deficit | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 4.1% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: $-$73 billion | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: $2.3T | China Economy: $1,230 billion
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $820 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 615,000 | China Economy: 1,542,000
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $28.3 trillion
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: 14.8%
United States Economy: $28.0 trillion | China Economy: $35.5 trillion
United States Economy: -$773 billion (deficit) | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
United States Economy: $285 billion | China Economy: $189 billion
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: -$73.1 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: +0.4% (growing) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.9 trillion | China Economy: $28.7 trillion
United States Economy: 11% | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: $68,420 | China Economy: $11,500
United States Economy: 0.38 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $809 billion | China Economy: $696 billion
United States Economy: 17% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 9.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $42.8 trillion | China Economy: $15.2 trillion
United States Economy: 16.5% | China Economy: 28.3%
United States Economy: $7.1 trillion | China Economy: $6.8 trillion
United States Economy: 11.8% | China Economy: N/A
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024)
United States Economy: $285B | China Economy: $163B
United States Economy: 63.0% | China Economy: N/A
Tech Sector Market Capitalization (Top 7 Companies)
United States Economy: $14.2 trillion | China Economy: $2.8 trillion
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2010-2023)
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 6.8%
United States Economy: $28.2 trillion | China Economy: $31.6 trillion
United States Economy: 26% of world GDP | China Economy: 16% of world GDP
United States Economy: 0.41 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 17.3% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: -$773 billion deficit | China Economy: +$821 billion surplus
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: 398,144 | China Economy: 687,231
United States Economy: $329 billion | China Economy: $163 billion
United States Economy: 170 million workers | China Economy: 920 million
United States Economy: $28.7 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: $12.4 trillion | China Economy: $3.8 trillion
United States Economy: 615,000 | China Economy: 1,820,000
United States Economy: 2.6% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: $130 billion | China Economy: $3.2 trillion
United States Economy: 11.2% | China Economy: 29.4%
United States Economy: 415,000 | China Economy: 1,200,000
United States Economy: $48.2 trillion | China Economy: $11.8 trillion
United States Economy: $120,000 | China Economy: $38,000
United States Economy: $76,500 | China Economy: $12,800
United States Economy: 680 GW | China Economy: 1,480 GW
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: 12.4%
United States Economy: 2.7% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 32.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.9% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21.6% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $12.5 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: $32 trillion | China Economy: $24 trillion
United States Economy: 80% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26% | China Economy: 17%
United States Economy: $28.2 trillion | China Economy: $36.1 trillion
United States Economy: 31% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $189 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 4.2% | China Economy: 5.3%
United States Economy: 3.4% | China Economy: 2.1%
United States Economy: 82% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 41.1 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $7.25 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $68.40 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $119 billion | China Economy: N/A
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2020-2026 Average)
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: 195 companies | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 38.7 | China Economy: 38 years
United States Economy: 285,000 | China Economy: 142,000
United States Economy: 18% | China Economy: 60%
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: 2.4%
United States Economy: 3.4% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 0.84 million | China Economy: 1.59 million
United States Economy: 13.3% | China Economy: 15.8%
United States Economy: $840 billion | China Economy: $369 billion
United States Economy: 12.3% | China Economy: 14.2%
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $81,045 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 26.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $83,250 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: 4.1%
United States Economy: $7.2 trillion | China Economy: $8.1 trillion
United States Economy: $28.2T | China Economy: $35.4T
United States Economy: 11.4% | China Economy: 29.2%
United States Economy: 3.45% | China Economy: 2.89%
United States Economy: $12.4 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.2%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $220 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $189 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.6-4.8%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 80%+
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $400-800B
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.7%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 80%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: Limited by US export controls
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (Annual)
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $163.5 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 28% (diversified)
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 14%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: +$631 billion (surplus)
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 8.7%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 1,750,000
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 2nd largest exporter (after USA)
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6T
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 8-10%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 30 million
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 38.4 years
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $1,370 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $12.3 trillion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.2%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 20.6%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $28.7T
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $163B
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $90 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 2.1%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 32%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 47%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
How to choose between United States Economy and China Economy
Compare United States Economy vs China Economy
United States vs China Economy 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for United States vs China Economy 2026. Contains 322 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
United States vs China Economy 2026 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for United States vs China Economy 2026.
Which economy is actually larger—US or China?
It depends on the metric. By nominal GDP (market exchange rates), the US leads at $28.7 trillion vs China's $17.9 trillion. However, by PPP (purchasing power parity—accounting for cost of living differences), China's economy is larger at $35.4 trillion vs $28.2 trillion. Economists use both metrics depending on analysis type; nominal GDP for global financial flows, PPP for real living standards.
Why is China's manufacturing share so much higher?
China manufactures 29.2% of its GDP versus the US's 11.4% due to deliberate policy focusing on export-oriented manufacturing since the 1980s. The US economy has shifted toward services (80% of GDP), finance, technology, and high-value intellectual property. Lower Chinese labor costs and massive government investment in manufacturing infrastructure created this structural difference.
Who is winning the tech competition between US and China?
The US dominates AI and semiconductors: it produces 70% of global AI unicorns and leads in chip design (NVIDIA, Qualcomm). China dominates in EV adoption (60% of global market), 5G infrastructure, and e-commerce platforms. The US spends 3.45% of GDP on R&D versus China's 2.89%, but both are significantly investing in competing technological frontiers.
Is China's economy growing faster than the US?
Recent trends show convergence. China's growth slowed to 5.0% (2024) from historical 7-10% rates due to real estate crises and demographic challenges. The US grew at 2.5% (2024). However, from a PPP perspective, China's absolute economic gains remain substantial given its larger PPP-adjusted size. Both economies face different growth constraints.
Which economy is more stable for investors?
The US offers deeper, more liquid capital markets with $130+ trillion in financial assets, stronger legal protections for foreign investors, and transparent regulatory frameworks. China offers higher growth potential but faces concentrated risk from real estate sector ($2+ trillion in developer debt), capital controls, and geopolitical tensions. Risk tolerance determines the choice.
How to Choose Between United States Economy and China Economy
Nominal GDP: United States Economy has $28.7 trillion USD, while China Economy has $17.9 trillion USD.
GDP Per Capita: United States Economy has $76,398 USD, while China Economy has $12,720 USD.
Consider: PPP GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
PPP GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): United States Economy has $28.2 trillion USD, while China Economy has $35.4 trillion USD.
Unemployment Rate: United States Economy has 4.2%, while China Economy has 5.1%.
Consider: Manufacturing Share of Economy
Manufacturing Share of Economy: United States Economy has 11.4%, while China Economy has 29.2%.
Consider: Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024)
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024): United States Economy has $285 billion USD, while China Economy has $163 billion USD.
R&D Spending as % of GDP: United States Economy has 3.45%, while China Economy has 2.89%.