The EU has a larger nominal GDP at $17.9 trillion versus China's $17.8 trillion as of 2024, but China leads in manufacturing output, exports, and growth rate at 5.2% annually compared to EU's 0.5%, making China the world's dominant production hub while the EU maintains stronger per-capita wealth and financial stability.
EU Economy vs China Economy — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
27-nation bloc with $17.9 trillion nominal GDP, advanced services sector, and strong regulatory framework.
The world's second-largest economy by nominal GDP, dominant in manufacturing with significant infrastructure investment.
Nominal GDP (2024). Real GDP Growth Rate (2024). Manufacturing Output (% of Global). Merchandise Exports (2024). GDP Per Capita (2024). Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2023). Population (2024)
Choose the EU economy if you prioritize stability, per-capita wealth, financial regulation, and consumer markets with strong purchasing power—ideal for developed-nation investment and high-value services. Choose China's economy if you focus on manufacturing scale, growth velocity, global supply chain dominance, and emerging market expansion—unmatched for production volume and rapid economic expansion.
European Union Economy: $19.0 trillion | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: $42,900 | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: $17.2T | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 0.5% | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 6.3% | China Economy: 5.1%
European Union Economy: $38,200 | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: $3.8T | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 20-30 | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 23.2% | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 3.4 (4th globally) | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: $17.9 trillion | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 0.9% | China Economy: 4.8%
European Union Economy: 448 million | China Economy: 1,420 million
European Union Economy: 20% | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 40% of electricity | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 84% | China Economy: 77%
European Union Economy: 0.5% | China Economy: 4.8%
European Union Economy: 12% | China Economy: 28%
European Union Economy: 690 GW | China Economy: 1,480 GW
European Union Economy: $52,000 | China Economy: $11,500
European Union Economy: 448M | China Economy: 1.426 billion
European Union Economy: $17.9 trillion | China Economy: $17.9T
European Union Economy: 0.9% | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: $38,700 | China Economy: $12,700
European Union Economy: 6.4% | China Economy: 4.9%
European Union Economy: 0.31 | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 10.9% | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: $312 billion | China Economy: $680 billion
European Union Economy: $18.5 trillion | China Economy: $8.7 trillion
European Union Economy: $18.5T | China Economy: $17-18
European Union Economy: 8% | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 20.1% | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: $38,500 | China Economy: $12,720
European Union Economy: 1.6% | China Economy: 4.8%
European Union Economy: 9.2% | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: 42.6% | China Economy: N/A
European Union Economy: $2.4 trillion | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
European Union Economy: $510 billion | China Economy: $189 billion
European Union Economy: 44.5 years | China Economy: 38.4 years
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.2%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $12,800
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $89 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $189 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 70%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: ~80%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: Limited by US export controls, advancing in AI adoption
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: -0.5 to -2%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.5-5.0%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $296.5 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $620.1 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 0.5-2.0%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: Restricted to 7nm+ (export controls)
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $12,700
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $620 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $525
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $17.9
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 82%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: -0.5 to -2.0%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: Limited by US export controls
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.6-4.8%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: €296.5 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: €467
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 35%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 80%+
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: ~5.2%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $13,500
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $5,708.7
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $296.5
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 94%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 0.2-0.3%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 28.3%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $400-800B
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $17.7 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.7%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 80%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $400-800B reduction
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.8%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production Share
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 0.5-2.0pp
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $18.7 trillion
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (Annual)
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $163.5 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 38.8
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 28% (diversified)
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $45.78 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 6.0%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 2nd
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 14.3%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: ~5.5%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: EV manufacturing, 5G, solar, semiconductors
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $16,800 (119,800 yuan)
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.0%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $14,874
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $11.1 trillion behind
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 6.1%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: ~16-17% of global GDP
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 0.9% CPI
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 3-4%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: Data not available
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $14,800+
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 36% smaller than US
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 28%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 14%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 282%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $652 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: +$631 billion (surplus)
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 142 companies
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 28.4%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.8 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $10.8 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 54.8%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $163 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $22.8 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.2 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.1%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 77%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $28.3 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 14.8%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 1,200 thousand
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $34.7 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: +$631 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 687,231
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.3%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $15.2 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $6.8 trillion
Tech Sector Market Capitalization (Top 7 Companies)
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $2.8 trillion
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2010-2023)
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 6.8%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $31.6 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 16% of world GDP
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $696 billion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 920 million
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $12,720
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 1,820,000
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 0.2%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 1,200,000
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $38,000
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 12.4%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $23.5 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $27.4 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 8.7%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 1,750,000
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 38.8 years
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 2nd largest exporter (after USA)
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6T
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 8-10%
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: 30 million
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: $4.7 trillion
European Union Economy: N/A | China Economy: +$821 billion surplus
How to choose between European Union Economy and China Economy
Compare European Union Economy vs China Economy
EU Economy vs China Economy — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for EU Economy vs China Economy. Contains 196 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
EU Economy vs China Economy — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for EU Economy vs China Economy.
Which economy is actually larger, EU or China?
The EU has a marginally larger nominal GDP at $17.9 trillion versus China's $17.8 trillion as of 2024. However, this is essentially a tie—they switched positions in 2023-2024. By purchasing power parity (PPP), China's economy is considered larger at $35.7 trillion versus the EU's $31.4 trillion, better reflecting actual economic output. The nominal figure favors the EU due to higher currency valuations.
Why is China's economy growing so much faster than the EU's?
China's 5.2% annual growth versus the EU's 0.5% reflects structural differences: China has a much larger working-age population (800 million), still-developing infrastructure requiring investment, and lower per-capita income creating catch-up growth potential. The EU's mature, aging population (median age 44.5) and saturated markets limit expansion. China's state-directed investment in manufacturing and Belt and Road initiatives also accelerate growth.
Which economy is more stable for investment?
The EU economy is significantly more stable, attracting $510 billion in foreign direct investment annually versus China's $189 billion. The EU offers stronger rule of law, transparent financial markets (MiFID II regulation), independent judiciary, and currency stability (euro). China presents geopolitical risks (US trade tensions, South China Sea disputes) and regulatory unpredictability that deter some international investors, though it attracts capital seeking growth exposure.
China dominates global trade with $3.6 trillion in merchandise exports (50% more than the EU's $2.4 trillion) and controls 28% of manufacturing output versus the EU's 12%. China leads in electronics, textiles, machinery, and chemicals. The EU dominates high-value sectors: pharmaceuticals (€180B exports), luxury automotive (€250B), and industrial machinery. China wins on volume; the EU wins on profit margins.
What are the biggest economic risks for each?
The EU faces demographic crisis (declining workforce, €250B annual pension obligations) and energy dependency (€250B annual energy imports). China faces geopolitical tensions (US tariffs, semiconductor restrictions), environmental costs (460M people in polluted areas), and property sector weakness (€2 trillion in distressed real estate). Both face long-term structural challenges requiring major reform.
How to Choose Between European Union Economy and China Economy
Nominal GDP (2024): European Union Economy has $17.9 trillion, while China Economy has $17.8 trillion.
Real GDP Growth Rate (2024): European Union Economy has 0.5%, while China Economy has 5.2%.
Consider: Manufacturing Output (% of Global)
Manufacturing Output (% of Global): European Union Economy has 12%, while China Economy has 28%.
Merchandise Exports (2024): European Union Economy has $2.4 trillion, while China Economy has $3.6 trillion.
GDP Per Capita (2024): European Union Economy has $38,500, while China Economy has $12,700.
Consider: Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2023)
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2023): European Union Economy has $510 billion, while China Economy has $189 billion.
Population (2024): European Union Economy has 448 million, while China Economy has 1.42 billion.