US GDP Per Capita vs China GDP Per Capita (2026)
The United States has a significantly higher GDP per capita at approximately $76,398 compared to China's estimated $12,556 in 2026, reflecting fundamental differences in economic development, income distribution, and labor productivity between the two nations.
US GDP Per Capita vs China GDP Per Capita (2026) — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest developed economy with highest per-capita income
World's second-largest economy with rapidly growing per-capita income from lower base
GDP Per Capita (2026 Estimate). Income Gap Multiple. Average Annual Income Per Person. Total GDP (2026 Estimate). Population Size (2026). GDP Per Capita Growth Rate (2020-2026 CAGR). Purchasing Power Parity GDP Per Capita
The United States maintains a substantial economic advantage in per-capita income and living standards, with citizens earning roughly 6 times more than their Chinese counterparts on average. However, China is closing the gap faster, growing at 4.8% annually versus the US's 2.1%, suggesting convergence over the coming decades. Choose to analyze US metrics for understanding developed-world consumer power and living standards; choose China data for assessing the world's second-largest total economy and emerging middle-class growth potential.
United States: $25.5 Trillion | China: $17.7 Trillion
United States: $877 Billion | China: $292 Billion
United States: 76.4 years | China: 78.5 years
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: $27.9 trillion | China: $17.9 trillion
United States: 339.1 million | China: 1,425 million
United States: 346 companies | China: 124 companies
United States: 312 million | China: 926 million
United States: $28.7 trillion | China: $33.8 trillion
United States: $2.1 trillion | China: $4.7 trillion
United States: 26% | China: 16% (nominal)
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: 39 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: 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
How to choose between United States and China
US GDP Per Capita vs China GDP Per Capita (2026) — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for US GDP Per Capita vs China GDP Per Capita (2026). Contains 153 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
US GDP Per Capita vs China GDP Per Capita (2026) — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for US GDP Per Capita vs China GDP Per Capita (2026).
Why is US GDP per capita so much higher than China's despite China having nearly 4x the population?
The US has a highly developed, service-based economy with advanced technology, higher labor productivity, and mature financial systems that drive higher incomes per worker. China, while growing rapidly, still has a large rural population (36% rural vs 18% rural in US) and developing industrial base that lowers the national average. The US GDP per capita is $76,398 versus China's $12,556—a 6x difference reflecting developmental stages rather than total economic size.
If China's per-capita growth rate (4.8%) is faster than the US (2.1%), when will China catch up?
At current growth differentials, China would theoretically close the gap in approximately 35-40 years (around 2061-2066), assuming sustained growth rates. However, this is unlikely because: (1) as China develops, growth rates typically slow, (2) the US may accelerate productivity gains, and (3) institutional and demographic headwinds (China's aging population) will constrain future growth. More realistically, convergence will occur gradually, with China potentially reaching 40-50% of US per-capita levels by 2050.
How does purchasing power parity (PPP) change the comparison between US and China?
PPP-adjusted GDP per capita shows China at $23,850 versus the US at $76,398—still a 3.2x gap rather than 6x. This accounts for lower costs of living in China (housing, food, services are significantly cheaper). However, PPP measures are debated; nominal figures better reflect actual purchasing power for globally-traded goods, while PPP is more relevant for domestic living standards. Both metrics show the US ahead, but PPP suggests the lifestyle gap is narrower than raw income figures suggest.
What percentage of each country's population lives in poverty using their own per-capita standards?
Using World Bank standards ($6.85/day poverty line in 2026): approximately 0.4% of the US population lives in this category, while roughly 3.2% of China's population does—despite China's rapid growth. The US's much higher per-capita income means poverty is less prevalent. However, relative poverty (percentage earning <50% of median income) is higher in the US (17.8%) than China (12.4%), indicating greater income inequality despite absolute poverty being lower.
Which country's economic model is more sustainable long-term?
This depends on metrics: the US has demographic advantages (younger population than most developed nations, immigrant workforce) and technological leadership, but faces debt concerns and slower growth. China has faster growth and investment potential but faces an aging population (working-age population declining 2024-2050), property sector fragility, and potential growth deceleration as development plateaus. Economists debate sustainability; most expect the US to maintain per-capita leadership, while China may become 60-70% of US levels by 2050.
How to Choose Between United States and China
Consider: GDP Per Capita (2026 Estimate)
GDP Per Capita (2026 Estimate): United States has $76,398, while China has $12,556.
Income Gap Multiple: United States has 6.08x higher than China, while China has 0.16x US level.
Consider: Average Annual Income Per Person
Average Annual Income Per Person: United States has $76,398, while China has $12,556.
Total GDP (2026 Estimate): United States has $28.7 trillion, while China has $27.9 trillion.
Population Size (2026): United States has 375 million, while China has 1.42 billion.
Consider: GDP Per Capita Growth Rate (2020-2026 CAGR)
GDP Per Capita Growth Rate (2020-2026 CAGR): United States has 2.1% annually, while China has 4.8% annually.
Consider: Purchasing Power Parity GDP Per Capita
Purchasing Power Parity GDP Per Capita: United States has $76,398, while China has $23,850.