The United States maintains the world's largest nominal GDP at approximately $28.7 trillion in 2026, while China's nominal GDP stands at approximately $17.9 trillion, making the US economy about 60% larger in nominal terms despite China's faster historical growth rates.
US vs China Nominal GDP 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest economy by nominal GDP with advanced services and technology sectors
World's 2nd largest economy with advanced manufacturing and technological dominance.
Nominal GDP 2026. GDP Per Capita 2026. Average Annual Growth Rate (2021-2026). Currency Exchange Rate Impact. Services Sector Share of GDP. Population Size 2026. Global Economic Share
The United States maintains clear economic dominance in nominal GDP terms with $28.7 trillion versus China's $17.9 trillion, reflecting superior per capita wealth ($85,200 vs $12,700) and a more developed service-based economy. However, China's faster 4.8% annual growth rate (vs 2.3% for US) suggests potential long-term convergence, though the nominal gap remains substantial. Choose the US if measuring current economic power and global financial influence; choose China if analyzing future growth trajectory and manufacturing dominance.
United States: $25.5 Trillion | China: $17.7 Trillion
United States: $877 Billion | China: $292 Billion
United States: 76.4 years | China: 77.5 years
United States: 9.8 Million | China: 9,596,961 km²
United States: $30+ trillion | China: $33-34 trillion
United States: ~18% | China: 35% of global output
United States: Global leader (Intel, NVIDIA, TSMC partners) | China: Limited by export controls
United States: Lower exposure (potential beneficiary) | China: $400-800 billion potential loss
United States: Potential +0.5% from policy | China: -0.5 to -2.0%
United States: 0.5%+ (estimated) | China: 0.2-0.3%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
United States: Minimal (<5%) | China: 94%
United States: Minimal exposure | China: -0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)
United States: $27.4 trillion | China: $17.9 trillion
Government Education Expenditure Per Capita
United States: $11,109.2 billion | China: $6,177.1 billion
United States: $925.8 billion | China: $296.5 billion
United States: $2,174.6 billion | China: $1,272.4 billion
United States: 0.34 billion | China: 1.4 billion
United States: 3,794,100 sq mi | China: N/A
United States: $27.4 trillion | China: $20.6 trillion
United States: Rank 1 (global superpower) | China: N/A
United States: $28.7 trillion | China: $17.9 trillion
United States: Reference (leader) | China: N/A
Years to Close GDP Gap (at current growth rates)
United States: N/A (declining relative position) | China: N/A
United States: Minimal direct impact | China: N/A
United States: Global leader in chip design | China: N/A
United States: 339.1 million | China: 1.42 billion
United States: 136 companies | China: 95 companies
United States: 312 million | China: 926 million
United States: $28.3 trillion | China: $35.4 trillion
United States: $2.1 trillion | China: $4.7 trillion
United States: $36 trillion | China: $13.5 trillion
United States: $26.9 trillion | China: $35.2 trillion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2025)
United States: $285 billion | China: $192 billion
United States: $27.36 trillion | China: N/A
United States: 38 years | China: 38 years
United States: 0.921 | China: 0.796 (Very High)
United States: $28.1 trillion | China: $29.8 trillion
United States: $285 billion | China: $163 billion
United States: $820 billion | China: $230 billion
United States: 1.3 million | China: 2.0 million
United States: 12,400 papers | China: 18,600 papers
United States: 352,000 patents | China: 635,000 patents
United States: 400,000 base stations | China: 1.2 million base stations
United States: $28.7 trillion | China: $27.9 trillion
United States: 375 million | China: 1,420 million
Annual GDP Per Capita Growth (2020-2026)
United States: 337 million | China: 1.4 billion
United States: $34.2 trillion | China: $7.1 trillion
United States: $28.7T | China: $17.9 trillion
United States: N/A | China: $17.9 trillion
United States: N/A | China: $3.2 trillion
United States: N/A | China: One-party communist state
United States: N/A | China: 88 (not free)
United States: N/A | China: 40% (global EV sales)
United States: N/A | China: 1.42 billion
United States: N/A | China: €296.5 billion
United States: N/A | China: $163 billion
United States: N/A | China: $163.1 billion
United States: N/A | China: $850 billion
United States: N/A | China: 12% (design & manufacturing)
United States: N/A | China: $163 billion (2024)
United States: N/A | China: World's factory (services rising)
United States: N/A | China: Largest — ~29% of global value-added
Years to Double GDP at Current Growth Rate
United States: N/A | China: $1,830 billion
United States: N/A | China: $189 billion
United States: N/A | China: $3,590 billion
United States: N/A | China: 1,200 thousand
United States: N/A | China: 0.796 (High)
Industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers
United States: N/A | China: 1,600k filings
How to choose between United States and China
US vs China Nominal GDP 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for US vs China Nominal GDP 2026. Contains 191 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
US vs China Nominal GDP 2026 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for US vs China Nominal GDP 2026.
Why is the US GDP larger than China's if China has 4x the population?
GDP per capita is vastly different: the US has $85,200 per person while China has $12,700 per person. This 6.7x difference reflects the maturity of the US economy, higher productivity levels, advanced technology sectors, and higher wages. Even with a much smaller population, Americans generate roughly 60% more total economic output due to significantly higher individual productivity and income levels.
Will China's economy surpass the US in nominal GDP?
While China grows faster (4.8% vs 2.3%), closing a $10.8 trillion nominal gap would require sustained double-digit growth for 15+ years. Current IMF projections do not forecast nominal GDP overtaking by 2030-2035. However, China's faster growth trajectory means eventual convergence remains possible if growth rates persist and US growth slows. Exchange rate fluctuations of the yuan also significantly impact nominal comparisons.
Why does currency exchange rate matter for GDP comparisons?
Nominal GDP is measured in each country's currency then converted to USD using market exchange rates. If the Chinese yuan weakens against the dollar, China's nominal GDP appears smaller in USD terms even if actual economic output hasn't changed. The US dollar's status as world reserve currency means its valuation is relatively stable, while the yuan experiences more volatility, making nominal GDP comparisons inherently volatile for China.
How do PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) comparisons differ from nominal GDP?
Nominal GDP values goods at market prices converted to USD. PPP adjusts for cost-of-living differences, showing that $1 buys more in China than the US. By PPP methodology, China's economy is estimated at $31-35 trillion (larger than US), because housing, food, and services cost less. Nominal GDP is best for measuring international financial influence and investment capacity, while PPP measures actual living standards and purchasing power.
What sectors drive growth differences between the two economies?
The US economy is 80% services-driven (finance, technology, healthcare, entertainment), with mature, high-margin sectors generating consistent but moderate growth. China's economy is 46% manufacturing and trade-dependent, which grows faster but is more vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. China's recent investments in renewables and EVs represent high-growth sectors, but the US dominates software, semiconductors design, and financial services where profit margins are highest.
How to Choose Between United States and China
Nominal GDP 2026: United States has $28.7 trillion USD, while China has $17.9 trillion USD.
GDP Per Capita 2026: United States has $85,200 USD, while China has $12,700 USD.
Consider: Average Annual Growth Rate (2021-2026)
Average Annual Growth Rate (2021-2026): United States has 2.3%, while China has 4.8%.
Currency Exchange Rate Impact: United States has Stable USD (world reserve currency), while China has Yuan affected by market fluctuations.
Services Sector Share of GDP: United States has 80% of GDP, while China has 54% of GDP.
Population Size 2026: United States has 338 million, while China has 1.42 billion.
Global Economic Share: United States has 26% of world GDP, while China has 17% of world GDP.