The USA maintains the world's largest economy by nominal GDP at $28.7 trillion, while China ranks second at $17.9 trillion, though China's economy grew 5.3% in 2025 compared to the USA's 2.1%, reflecting different growth trajectories and economic structures.
China vs USA Economic Comparison 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest developed economy with advanced financial markets, high per-capita income, and dominant tech sector.
World's second-largest economy with dominant manufacturing sector, rapid growth, and emerging consumer market.
Nominal GDP 2026. GDP Growth Rate 2025. Per Capita GDP 2026. Manufacturing Output Share. Foreign Direct Investment Inflow 2025. Public Debt-to-GDP Ratio. Top 500 Companies by Market Cap
The USA maintains economic supremacy in absolute size, wealth per citizen, and financial dominance with stronger FDI inflows and higher corporate valuations, making it the preferred destination for capital investment. China leads in manufacturing scale, economic growth momentum, and lower debt burden, positioning it as the faster-growing economy for long-term expansion. Choose the USA for developed-market stability and consumer wealth; choose China for manufacturing scale and emerging-market growth potential.
United States of America: $28.7 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: $31.82 trillion | People's Republic of China: $35.0+ trillion
United States of America: 22.73% | People's Republic of China: 14.77%
United States of America: 6.31x higher | People's Republic of China: 1.0x (baseline)
United States of America: Emerging leader, <30% | People's Republic of China: 70%
United States of America: ~15% | People's Republic of China: 35%
Combined Global Economic Share (Nominal)
United States of America: 42.46% (combined US-China) | People's Republic of China: 42.46% (combined US-China)
United States of America: $89,000+ | People's Republic of China: $14,100
United States of America: 23.6% | People's Republic of China: 15.2%
United States of America: 18% | People's Republic of China: 70%
United States of America: ~15% | People's Republic of China: 80%+
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
United States of America: 6% | People's Republic of China: 94%
United States of America: 2.5% | People's Republic of China: 4.7%
United States of America: €10,266.8B | People's Republic of China: $6,240,157.8M
United States of America: €925,796.8M | People's Republic of China: $313.7 billion
United States of America: €3,981 | People's Republic of China: €467
United States of America: 20% | People's Republic of China: 70%
United States of America: $27.6 trillion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $821 billion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 57 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 6,300 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: Advanced semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, defense tech | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $15.29 trillion | People's Republic of China: $45.78 trillion
United States of America: $94,800 | People's Republic of China: $15,000
United States of America: 2.0-2.5% | People's Republic of China: 4.5-4.8%
United States of America: ~18% | People's Republic of China: 35%
United States of America: $30.1 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: 2.0–2.5% | People's Republic of China: 4.6–4.8%
United States of America: <5% | People's Republic of China: 80%+
United States of America: 4.5% | People's Republic of China: ~4.0% (estimated)
United States of America: $76,398 | People's Republic of China: $12,720
United States of America: 16% | People's Republic of China: 28%
United States of America: $2.9T | People's Republic of China: $7.8T
United States of America: $820 billion | People's Republic of China: $296 billion
United States of America: 3.4% | People's Republic of China: 2.1%
United States of America: 743 km | People's Republic of China: 45,000 km
United States of America: 9.8 million km² | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 36 people/sq mi | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $12,914 per capita | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 4.7 per 100k | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 0.41 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 1,290 thousand | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 1,770 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 27 universities | People's Republic of China: 8 universities
United States of America: $384 billion (2023) | People's Republic of China: $189 billion (2023)
United States of America: $27.3 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: 614,000 | People's Republic of China: 1,500,000
United States of America: 707 GW | People's Republic of China: 1,854 GW
United States of America: 4.7 physicians | People's Republic of China: 2.1 physicians
United States of America: $27.36 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.99 trillion
United States of America: $820 billion | People's Republic of China: $292 billion
United States of America: 371.8 | People's Republic of China: 1,200
United States of America: $27.3 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.8 trillion
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 6.3 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $11,945 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 2.1 billion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 79.3 million | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 735 km | People's Republic of China: 45,000 km
United States of America: 61% | People's Republic of China: 22%
United States of America: 0.34 billion | People's Republic of China: 1.4 billion
United States of America: 78.4 years | People's Republic of China: 77.9 years
United States of America: 5.0 billion | People's Republic of China: 12.3 billion
United States of America: $2.1 trillion | People's Republic of China: $4.7 trillion
United States of America: 312 million | People's Republic of China: 1,050 million
United States of America: $28.5T | People's Republic of China: $23.8T
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024-2026)
United States of America: 2.25% | People's Republic of China: 4.75%
United States of America: $84,000 | People's Republic of China: $17,000
United States of America: 206M | People's Republic of China: 920M
United States of America: 1st | People's Republic of China: 2nd
United States of America: AI, semiconductors, cloud computing | People's Republic of China: 5G, renewables, EVs
United States of America: 82% | People's Republic of China: 63%
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: 814,340 | People's Republic of China: 1,570,000
United States of America: 8.5% | People's Republic of China: 12.3%
United States of America: 16% of global | People's Republic of China: 28% of global
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.8 trillion
United States of America: 635,000 | People's Republic of China: 1,700,000
United States of America: 2.1% | People's Republic of China: 4.2%
United States of America: 26.3% | People's Republic of China: 16.4%
United States of America: $285 billion | People's Republic of China: $163 billion
United States of America: 59% | People's Republic of China: 2.7%
United States of America: 128% | People's Republic of China: 77%
United States of America: 78.9 years | People's Republic of China: 78.2
United States of America: 99.0% | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 4.1% | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $74,580 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $820B | People's Republic of China: $296B
United States of America: 635,000 | People's Republic of China: 1,500,000
United States of America: 91% | People's Republic of China: 76%
United States of America: $0.13 trillion | People's Republic of China: $3.27 trillion
United States of America: $27.4T | People's Republic of China: $17.8T
United States of America: 335 million | People's Republic of China: 1,430M
United States of America: 0.921 | People's Republic of China: 0.796
United States of America: 605,000 | People's Republic of China: 738,000
United States of America: $848 billion | People's Republic of China: $612 billion
United States of America: 2.1% | People's Republic of China: 5.3%
United States of America: $86,500 | People's Republic of China: $12,720
United States of America: $294 billion | People's Republic of China: $163 billion
United States of America: 123% | People's Republic of China: 77%
United States of America: 217 companies | People's Republic of China: 152 companies
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 4.8%
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 38.4 years
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: €469
JPMorgan Growth Leadership Outlook (2026)
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: Secondary
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: $18.74T
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 5.0-5.3%
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 32.94%
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: €299,621.7M
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: $620,062.8M
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: €11,242
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 392 robots per 10k workers
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 60%
How to choose between United States of America and People's Republic of China
Compare United States of America vs People's Republic of China
China vs USA Economic Comparison 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for China vs USA Economic Comparison 2026. Contains 121 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
China vs USA Economic Comparison 2026 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for China vs USA Economic Comparison 2026.
Is China's economy larger than the USA's?
By nominal GDP in USD, no—the USA's $28.7 trillion economy is 60% larger than China's $17.9 trillion. However, when adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), China's economy is larger at approximately $35 trillion versus the USA's $28 trillion, reflecting lower living costs and different valuation metrics used by economists.
Why is China growing faster than the USA?
China's 5.3% growth rate in 2025 versus the USA's 2.1% reflects China's position as a developing economy with rapid industrialization, rising consumer spending, and government stimulus policies. The USA, as a mature developed economy, experiences slower but more stable growth. Additionally, China's manufacturing sector expansion and infrastructure investment drive faster GDP expansion.
The US dollar is significantly stronger as the world's reserve currency, held by 59% of global central bank reserves and used for 88% of international trade. The Chinese yuan (renminbi) is gaining influence but remains convertible with restrictions, limiting its reserve status to 2.7% of global allocations as of 2026.
What are the main differences in their economic structures?
The USA economy is service-oriented, with 80% from services, 19% from manufacturing, and 1% from agriculture, focusing on finance, technology, and consumer spending. China's economy is 54% services, 39% manufacturing, and 7% agriculture, heavily dependent on industrial production, exports, and infrastructure development. This makes China more reliant on manufacturing cycles while the USA benefits from financial services stability.
How do trade restrictions affect these economies?
US tariffs on Chinese goods (averaging 21% on imports) and technology export controls reduce China's FDI inflows to $163 billion versus the USA's $294 billion, making China less attractive to foreign investors. China retaliates with tariffs and restrictions on US tech companies, limiting their market access. These tensions reduce bilateral trade efficiency and increase costs for both economies.
How to Choose Between United States of America and People's Republic of China
Nominal GDP 2026: United States of America has $28.7 trillion, while People's Republic of China has $17.9 trillion.
GDP Growth Rate 2025: United States of America has 2.1%, while People's Republic of China has 5.3%.
Per Capita GDP 2026: United States of America has $86,500, while People's Republic of China has $12,720.
Manufacturing Output Share: United States of America has 16% of global, while People's Republic of China has 28% of global.
Consider: Foreign Direct Investment Inflow 2025
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow 2025: United States of America has $294 billion, while People's Republic of China has $163 billion.
Public Debt-to-GDP Ratio: United States of America has 123%, while People's Republic of China has 77%.
Consider: Top 500 Companies by Market Cap
Top 500 Companies by Market Cap: United States of America has 217 companies, while People's Republic of China has 152 companies.