The U.S. economy leads in per-capita GDP ($76,398 vs $12,720) and technological innovation, while China's economy is the second-largest by nominal GDP ($17.9 trillion vs $27.4 trillion) with faster manufacturing scale. China surpassed the U.S. in total GDP in 2024, but the U.S. maintains higher productivity and living standards per citizen.
United States Economy vs China Economy — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest economy with $27.4 trillion GDP driven by services, technology, and finance sectors.
World's second-largest economy at $17.9 trillion with rapid 5.3% annual growth driven by manufacturing and infrastructure.
Total GDP (Nominal). GDP Per Capita. Manufacturing Output (% of GDP). Tech Patent Filings (2024). Unemployment Rate. Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2024). Debt-to-GDP Ratio
Choose the U.S. economy if prioritizing wealth per capita, consumer purchasing power, technological innovation, and financial market stability—ideal for investors seeking mature markets and high living standards. Choose China's economy if analyzing manufacturing scale, growth potential, emerging market opportunities, and supply chain dominance in critical sectors like EVs, semiconductors, and rare earth minerals, though accounting for higher state intervention and regulatory risks.
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: 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: 4.2%
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: 127% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: 339 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: $94,430 | China Economy: $12,700
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: $27.4 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: 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: $81,500 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 336 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: 25.5% | China Economy: 14.3%
United States Economy: 38.5 years | China Economy: 38.8 years
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
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: $27.4T | China Economy: $17.9T
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: 5.2%
United States Economy: $82,000 | China Economy: $12,500
United States Economy: $0.13T | China Economy: $3.4T
United States Economy: 4.1% | China Economy: 5.3%
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: 31%
United States Economy: $15.2T (Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Nvidia, Tesla, Broadcom) | China Economy: $4.8T (Alibaba, Tencent, Meituan weighted total)
United States Economy: 38.9 years | China Economy: 37.4 years (projected 53 by 2050)
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
United States Economy: $82,000 | China Economy: $12,700
United States Economy: $81,695 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 2.7% | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: $2.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $285 billion (2023) | China Economy: $163.2 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: 5.0%
United States Economy: $85,240 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: $0.13 trillion | China Economy: $3.2 trillion
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: $652 billion
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $80,412 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.3% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 123% | 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: 21% of electricity | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $17.8 trillion
United States Economy: 135 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: 2.5% | China Economy: 5.3%
United States Economy: 11% | 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: 16.2% | China Economy: 28.7%
United States Economy: -$73 billion deficit | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 4.1% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: -$773 billion (deficit) | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
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: 130% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: $820 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 714,000 | China Economy: 1,200 thousand
United States Economy: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $28.3 trillion
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: 14.8%
United States Economy: $28.0 trillion | China Economy: $35.5 trillion
United States Economy: $285 billion | China Economy: $189 billion
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: -$73.1 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: +0.4% (growing) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.9 trillion | China Economy: $28.7 trillion
United States Economy: 11% | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 280%
United States Economy: $68,420 | 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: $27.7 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: -$773 billion deficit | China Economy: +$821 billion surplus
United States Economy: 3.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 38.9 years | China Economy: 38.4 years
United States Economy: 398,144 | China Economy: 687,231
United States Economy: $370 billion | China Economy: $163 billion
United States Economy: 170 million workers | China Economy: 920 million
United States Economy: $28.7 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: $12.4 trillion | China Economy: $3.8 trillion
United States Economy: 16% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 615,000 | China Economy: 1,820,000
United States Economy: 2.6% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: $76,398 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 11.2% | China Economy: 27%
United States Economy: 415,000 | China Economy: 1,200,000
United States Economy: $50+ trillion (US exchanges) | China Economy: $12.7 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: $27.4 trillion | China Economy: $17-18
United States Economy: 2.7% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 32.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 16.9% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21.6% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $2.9 trillion | China Economy: $4.7 trillion
United States Economy: 18% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: $12.5 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: $32 trillion | China Economy: $24 trillion
United States Economy: 80% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26% | China Economy: 17%
United States Economy: 31% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $189 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 4.2% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: 82% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 41.1 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $7.25 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $68.40 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $119 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $382 billion | China Economy: N/A
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2020-2026 Average)
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: 12.8%
United States Economy: 195 companies | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 285,000 | China Economy: 142,000
United States Economy: 18% | China Economy: 60%
United States Economy: 3.5% | China Economy: 2.4%
United States Economy: 3.4% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 4.2%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $220 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $189 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: 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: $163.5 billion
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: 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%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 1,750,000
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 2nd largest exporter (after USA)
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6T
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 8-10%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 30 million
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 38.4 years
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $1,370 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $12.3 trillion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 20.6%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.2%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $28.7T
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $163B
How to choose between United States Economy and China Economy
Compare United States Economy vs China Economy
United States Economy vs China Economy — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for United States Economy vs China Economy. Contains 300 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
United States Economy vs China Economy — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for United States Economy vs China Economy.
Did China's economy surpass the U.S. in 2024?
Yes, China's economy reached $27.4 trillion in nominal GDP in 2024, surpassing the U.S. at $27.3 trillion for the first time. However, this milestone is partly due to currency fluctuations and statistical revisions. By purchasing power parity (PPP), adjusted for cost of living, the U.S. economy remains larger at approximately $27.8 trillion vs China's $30.5 trillion, indicating China's advantage when accounting for inflation differences.
Why is U.S. GDP per capita so much higher than China's?
The U.S. has $76,398 GDP per capita versus China's $12,720 due to: (1) higher average wages across sectors—U.S. median household income is $75,000 vs China's ~$10,500; (2) service-based economy (82% of GDP) with high-value jobs in finance, tech, and healthcare; (3) mature consumer market with higher purchasing power; (4) advanced automation reducing labor dependency. China's lower per-capita figure reflects that while the total economy is massive, income is distributed across 1.4 billion people versus 330 million in the U.S.
For stability and long-term growth: U.S. offers transparent markets, rule of law, and tech leadership, with NYSE drawing $285 billion in FDI in 2024. For emerging market upside and manufacturing exposure: China offers lower valuations, dominant EV/battery position, and 5.2% average annual GDP growth forecast through 2027, but carries regulatory risks and capital controls. Institutional investors typically diversify across both—U.S. for core holdings, China for growth allocation.
How do U.S. and China compare in technological innovation?
U.S. leads in breakthrough innovation (AI, biotech, quantum computing) with companies like OpenAI, Google, and Tesla setting global standards. China leads in patent volume (1.2 million filings in 2024 vs 415,000 in U.S.) and manufacturing-linked innovation (EVs, 5G infrastructure, solar). U.S. has 62% of global AI funding vs China's 25%, but China dominates drone technology, facial recognition, and rare earth element processing.
What are the biggest economic risks for each country?
U.S. risks: debt crisis potential (35 trillion public debt), aging workforce (median age 38.7), and declining manufacturing base creating trade deficits averaging $700 billion annually. China risks: property sector instability (real estate is 30% of GDP), demographic collapse (fertility rate 1.09 children/woman), local government debt ($8+ trillion), and U.S./Western sanctions limiting semiconductor access. Both face recession probability of 25-35% within 2 years per IMF scenarios.
How to Choose Between United States Economy and China Economy
Total GDP (Nominal): United States Economy has $27.4 trillion, while China Economy has $17.9 trillion.
GDP Per Capita: United States Economy has $76,398, while China Economy has $12,720.
Consider: Manufacturing Output (% of GDP)
Manufacturing Output (% of GDP): United States Economy has 11.8%, while China Economy has 28.4%.
Tech Patent Filings (2024): United States Economy has 415,000+, while China Economy has 1.2 million+.
Unemployment Rate: United States Economy has 3.9%, while China Economy has 5.1%.
Consider: Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2024)
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2024): United States Economy has $285 billion, while China Economy has $163 billion.
Debt-to-GDP Ratio: United States Economy has 129%, while China Economy has 77%.