The United States has a higher nominal GDP at $27.4 trillion versus China's $17.9 trillion as of 2024, but China surpasses the US in PPP-adjusted GDP at $35.7 trillion versus $27.4 trillion, reflecting different measurement methodologies and cost-of-living differences.
China GDP vs United States GDP — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Second-largest economy by nominal GDP, largest by PPP-adjusted measurement, with rapid industrial and manufacturing dominance.
World's largest nominal economy with $27.4 trillion in total output (2024)
Nominal GDP (2024). PPP-Adjusted GDP (2024). GDP Growth Rate (2024). GDP Per Capita (Nominal, 2024). GDP Per Capita (PPP, 2024). Manufacturing Output (% of GDP). Technology & IT Services (% of GDP)
The United States maintains a superior nominal GDP and significantly higher per-capita wealth, making it the larger economy by traditional metrics. However, China's PPP-adjusted GDP reflects its massive population (1.4 billion) and lower living costs, combined with faster growth rates averaging 5% annually. Choose the US GDP metric for international trade and foreign exchange analysis; choose China's PPP GDP for understanding actual economic productive capacity and consumer market potential.
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: $17.9 trillion | United States GDP: $27.4 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: $35.7 trillion | United States GDP: $27.4 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: 5.0% | United States GDP: 2.5%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: $12,720 | United States GDP: $82,450
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: $25,500 | United States GDP: $82,450
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: 27.8% | United States GDP: 11.2%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: 8.2% | United States GDP: 12.5%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: $3.2 trillion | United States GDP: $0.14 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $30+ trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $30 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 2.0-2.5%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $925.8 billion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $4,175.4 billion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: €3,981
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 15-20%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 5-8%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: Market-driven; highly transparent
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $31.821 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 2.1-2.5%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $89,000+
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 23.64%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: ~20%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: ~6%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 0-0.5%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $30+
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 2.5-2.7%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: €925.8 billion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 10-15%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $31.82 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 2.1%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 2.0%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 28-30%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $433.731 billion annualized
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 1 (United States)
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: #1 globally
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $31.8 trillion (real)
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $27.4 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 2.5%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $34 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 11.8%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 11.2%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 2.7%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 80%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 12.1%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 26%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 60 companies
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $81,285
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $27.9 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 82%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 8.1%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 130%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $28.9 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $2.1 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 123%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $285 billion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 336 million
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $28.7 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $85,400
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $1.8 trillion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 32.8%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: $81,695
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 15%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 0.339 billion
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 79%
China (People's Republic of China) GDP: N/A | United States GDP: 135 companies
China (People's Republic of China) GDP — Wikipedia
How to choose between China (People's Republic of China) GDP and United States GDP
Compare China (People's Republic of China) GDP vs United States GDP
China GDP vs United States GDP — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for China GDP vs United States GDP. Contains 78 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
China GDP vs United States GDP — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for China GDP vs United States GDP.
Why does China have a higher PPP GDP than the US despite lower nominal GDP?
PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) adjusts for cost-of-living differences. A dollar goes further in China due to lower prices for goods and services. With 1.4 billion people and lower labor/material costs, China's $35.7 trillion PPP GDP exceeds the US $27.4 trillion nominal GDP. This reflects actual productive capacity and consumer purchasing power, not international trade value.
Nominal GDP measures the total economic output valued at current market prices and exchange rates. The US GDP of $27.4 trillion represents goods and services priced at actual market rates. This is the standard metric for international comparisons, foreign direct investment, and determining a country's financial influence in global markets.
Why is the US per-capita GDP so much higher than China's?
The US has 330 million people sharing $27.4 trillion ($82,450 per person), while China has 1.4 billion people sharing $17.9 trillion nominal ($12,720 per person). Even with PPP adjustment ($25,500), China's per-capita is 69% lower due to larger population, lower average wages, and younger industrialization. This reflects the US having higher productivity and wages per worker.
Which economy is actually larger—China or the US?
It depends on the metric: Nominally (by international trade and financial standards), the US is larger at $27.4 trillion vs $17.9 trillion. By PPP (actual productive output and consumer power), China is larger at $35.7 trillion vs $27.4 trillion. For trade analysis, use nominal; for understanding true economic capacity and market size, use PPP.
China's 5.0% annual growth rate (2020-2024) versus the US 2.5% reflects a younger, rapidly industrializing economy still transitioning from agriculture to manufacturing and services. The US, as a mature developed economy with 80% services-based GDP, grows more slowly. However, the US starts from a much higher per-capita base ($82,450 vs $12,720 nominal), so absolute wealth creation remains comparable.
How to Choose Between China (People's Republic of China) GDP and United States GDP
Nominal GDP (2024): China (People's Republic of China) GDP has $17.9 trillion, while United States GDP has $27.4 trillion.
PPP-Adjusted GDP (2024): China (People's Republic of China) GDP has $35.7 trillion, while United States GDP has $27.4 trillion.
GDP Growth Rate (2024): China (People's Republic of China) GDP has 5.0%, while United States GDP has 2.5%.
Consider: GDP Per Capita (Nominal, 2024)
GDP Per Capita (Nominal, 2024): China (People's Republic of China) GDP has $12,720, while United States GDP has $82,450.
GDP Per Capita (PPP, 2024): China (People's Republic of China) GDP has $25,500, while United States GDP has $82,450.
Consider: Manufacturing Output (% of GDP)
Manufacturing Output (% of GDP): China (People's Republic of China) GDP has 27.8%, while United States GDP has 11.2%.
Consider: Technology & IT Services (% of GDP)
Technology & IT Services (% of GDP): China (People's Republic of China) GDP has 8.2%, while United States GDP has 12.5%.