As of 2026, the USA maintains the world's largest economy by nominal GDP at approximately $28.7 trillion compared to China's $17.9 trillion, but China's economy grows faster at 5.2% annually versus the USA's 2.1%, narrowing the gap significantly over the past decade.
China vs USA Economy 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest nominal economy with advanced technology and services sectors.
World's second-largest economy with rapid growth and dominant manufacturing base.
Nominal GDP (2026). GDP Growth Rate (2026). GDP Per Capita. Manufacturing Output. Debt-to-GDP Ratio. Foreign Direct Investment (2025). Population
Choose the USA economy if evaluating wealth per person, technological innovation hubs, and institutional stability—it dominates in per capita income ($86,400 vs $12,700) and attracts more foreign investment. Choose China's economy if assessing manufacturing dominance, growth velocity, and emerging market influence—its 5.2% annual growth rate and 28% share of global manufacturing position it as the world's factory and a rising economic superpower despite lower individual wealth metrics.
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: $30+ | China Economy: $17-18
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: $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: 4.8%
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% | China Economy: 84%
United States Economy: 345 million | China Economy: 1,420 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: $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: $31 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: $32.38 trillion | China Economy: $20.85 trillion
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: $76,398 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 337 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26.3% | China Economy: 14.3%
United States Economy: 38.5 years | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
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: $82,000 | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: $28.3 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: $86,400 | China Economy: $16,700
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: $2.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $285 billion (2023) | China Economy: $163 billion
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: 4.8%
United States Economy: $81,000 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: $0.13 trillion | China Economy: $3.24 trillion
United States Economy: 16% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: $652 billion
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $76,398 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.3% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 123.5% | 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: 3.9% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: 31% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21% of electricity | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.7 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: 136 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: 2.1% | China Economy: 4.8%
United States Economy: 11.2% | 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: 17% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: -$73 billion deficit | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 4.0% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: -$773 billion (deficit) | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
United States Economy: 129% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: $2.3T | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: $820 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 625,000 | China Economy: 1,200 thousand
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $28.3 trillion
United States Economy: 2.7% | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: 14.8%
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $34.7 trillion
United States Economy: -$773 billion | China Economy: +$631 billion
United States Economy: $285 billion | China Economy: $189 billion
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: -$773 billion deficit | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: +0.4% (growing) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: $2.3 trillion | China Economy: $4.1 trillion
United States Economy: 130% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: $60,500 | 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% | China Economy: 28.3%
United States Economy: $7.1 trillion | China Economy: $6.8 trillion
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $23.5 trillion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024)
United States Economy: $269 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.9 trillion | China Economy: $27.4 trillion
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: -$773B | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 38.4 | China Economy: 38.8
United States Economy: 398,144 | China Economy: 687,231
United States Economy: 209 million | China Economy: 920 million
United States Economy: $12.4 trillion | China Economy: $3.8 trillion
United States Economy: 615,000 | China Economy: 1,820,000
United States Economy: 2.9% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: $0.13 trillion | China Economy: $3.2 trillion
United States Economy: 11.8% | China Economy: 28.4%
United States Economy: 415,000 | China Economy: 1,200,000
United States Economy: $42.3 trillion | China Economy: $8.7 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: N/A | China Economy: 4.2%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $89 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $163.5 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: $17.7 trillion
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: 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: $189 billion
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%
How to choose between United States Economy and China Economy
Compare United States Economy vs China Economy
China vs USA Economy 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for China vs USA Economy 2026. Contains 241 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Will China's economy surpass the USA's by 2026?
No, not by nominal GDP. The USA's nominal GDP of $28.7 trillion significantly exceeds China's $17.9 trillion as of 2026. However, if China maintains its 5.2% annual growth versus the USA's 2.1%, projections suggest China could surpass the USA in nominal GDP between 2032-2035 if current trends continue. By purchasing power parity (PPP), China already exceeded the USA around 2018 and represents approximately 17% of global PPP-adjusted output versus the USA's 16%.
Why does the USA have a higher per capita income despite China's rapid growth?
GDP per capita reflects wealth distribution, not just total economic size. The USA's $86,400 per capita versus China's $12,700 stems from: (1) a mature, high-wage service economy; (2) smaller population (345M vs 1.42B); (3) decades of capital accumulation and technology investment; and (4) higher labor productivity. China's economy, while larger in aggregate, must distribute output across 4.1x more people, while rapid growth has not yet raised average incomes to developed-market levels.
Which economy is in better fiscal condition?
China appears in better fiscal condition by debt metrics. China's debt-to-GDP ratio of 84% provides more borrowing capacity than the USA's 123%. However, China's debt composition is more opaque, with significant hidden liabilities in local government financing vehicles ($7.2 trillion) and state-owned enterprises. The USA's debt, while higher as a percentage, has lower default risk due to the dollar's reserve currency status, enabling refinancing at favorable rates. Long-term sustainability depends on growth rates and fiscal reforms in both countries.
How do trade policies affect each economy's 2026 outlook?
As of 2026, trade tensions remain elevated with US tariff rates averaging 19.3% on Chinese goods versus 3.9% pre-2018. This has cost China approximately $370 billion in annual export revenue and incentivized nearshoring to Vietnam, Mexico, and India. The USA faces $773 billion annual trade deficits, but tariffs have bolstered domestic manufacturing, which grew 3.2% in 2025. Both economies show reduced supply chain integration, with decoupling particularly acute in semiconductors, rare earths, and pharmaceuticals.
Which economy is better positioned for emerging technologies?
The USA leads in AI, quantum computing, and biotech with $185 billion in R&D spending and 47% of global venture capital funding. However, China dominates electric vehicles (60% global production), battery technology (75% of lithium-ion capacity), and 5G infrastructure deployment. China's investment of $228 billion annually in STEM education versus the USA's $180 billion suggests China will maintain manufacturing-technology strength, while the USA retains fundamental innovation advantages in software, semiconductors design, and high-value services.
How to Choose Between United States Economy and China Economy
Nominal GDP (2026): United States Economy has $28.7 trillion, while China Economy has $17.9 trillion.
GDP Growth Rate (2026): United States Economy has 2.1% annually, while China Economy has 5.2% annually.
GDP Per Capita: United States Economy has $86,400, while China Economy has $12,700.
Manufacturing Output: United States Economy has 17% of global output, while China Economy has 28% of global output.
Debt-to-GDP Ratio: United States Economy has 123%, while China Economy has 84%.
Consider: Foreign Direct Investment (2025)
Foreign Direct Investment (2025): United States Economy has $285 billion, while China Economy has $163 billion.
Population: United States Economy has 345 million, while China Economy has 1.42 billion.