The U.S. economy is larger by nominal GDP at $27.4 trillion versus China's $17.8 trillion, but China has been growing faster at 5.2% annually compared to the U.S. at 2.7%, making China the world's second-largest economy while the U.S. maintains the largest. The U.S. excels in per capita wealth and technological innovation, while China leads in manufacturing output and foreign exchange reserves.
United States Economy vs China Economy — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest developed economy with tech dominance and high per-capita income.
World's second-largest economy powered by manufacturing, exports, and rapid infrastructure investment.
Nominal GDP (2024). GDP Per Capita. Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024). Foreign Exchange Reserves. Manufacturing Output (% of global). Unemployment Rate (2024). Fortune 500 Companies
The United States maintains a larger, wealthier, and more stable economy with superior per capita income and lower unemployment, making it stronger for individual prosperity and innovation-driven growth. However, China is rapidly closing the gap with faster growth rates, massive manufacturing dominance, and enormous foreign reserves, positioning it as a rising economic superpower. Choose the U.S. economy if evaluating wealth per citizen and technological leadership; choose China if assessing manufacturing scale and future growth trajectory.
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: $310 billion | China Economy: $680 billion
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: 123% (combined public+private+household) | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: 0.34 billion | China Economy: 1,425 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: 336 million | China Economy: 1,420 million
United States Economy: 2.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.8% | China Economy: 27%
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: $76,398 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 2.8% | China Economy: 5.0%
United States Economy: $2.4 trillion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $285 billion (2023) | China Economy: $189B
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: $0.75T | China Economy: $3.2T
United States Economy: 129% | 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: 18%
United States Economy: $28.7T | China Economy: $17.9T
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: 4.8%
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% | China Economy: 28%
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: $-$73 billion | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
United States Economy: 123% | China Economy: 282%
United States Economy: $2.3T | China Economy: $1,230 billion
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 11.5% | China Economy: N/A
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: -$773 billion (deficit) | China Economy: +$632 billion (surplus)
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: $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: 11.8% | China Economy: N/A
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024)
United States Economy: $285B | China Economy: $163B
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: 2.4% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: 398,144 | China Economy: 687,231
United States Economy: $329 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: 615,000 | China Economy: 1,820,000
United States Economy: 2.6% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: $130 billion | China Economy: $3.2 trillion
United States Economy: 11.2% | China Economy: 29.4%
United States Economy: 415,000 | China Economy: 1,200,000
United States Economy: $48.2 trillion | China Economy: $11.8 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: 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: 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: $28.2 trillion | China Economy: $36.1 trillion
United States Economy: 31% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $189 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 4.2% | China Economy: 5.3%
United States Economy: 3.4% | China Economy: 2.1%
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
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2020-2026 Average)
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 5.1%
United States Economy: 195 companies | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 38.7 | China Economy: 38 years
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: 0.84 million | China Economy: 1.59 million
United States Economy: 13.3% | China Economy: 15.8%
United States Economy: $840 billion | China Economy: $369 billion
United States Economy: 12.3% | China Economy: 14.2%
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $81,045 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 26.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $83,250 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 2.5% | China Economy: 4.1%
United States Economy: $7.2 trillion | China Economy: $8.1 trillion
United States Economy: $28.2T | China Economy: $35.4T
United States Economy: 11.4% | China Economy: 29.2%
United States Economy: 3.45% | China Economy: 2.89%
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
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $90 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 2.1%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 32%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 47%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
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 320 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.
Is China's economy bigger than the United States?
By nominal GDP, the U.S. economy remains larger at $27.4 trillion versus China's $17.8 trillion as of 2024. However, China is the second-largest economy and growing nearly twice as fast (5.2% vs 2.7% annually). By purchasing power parity (PPP), which adjusts for cost of living, China's economy has been larger since 2020, estimated at $35.5 trillion PPP versus the U.S.'s $28.7 trillion PPP. This distinction matters: nominal GDP reflects global trade and investment capacity, while PPP reflects domestic purchasing power and living standards.
Why does China grow faster than the United States?
China's faster growth (5.2% vs 2.7%) stems from several factors: (1) Industrialization and urbanization still occurring—China's urban population is 65% versus the U.S.'s 82%, providing infrastructure expansion opportunities; (2) Lower labor costs allowing competitive manufacturing advantage producing 29% of global output; (3) Large population of 1.4 billion creating expanding domestic demand; (4) Government-directed investment in infrastructure and emerging sectors. The U.S. mature economy grows slower because it already has high urbanization, saturation in many sectors, and relies more on innovation than expansion.
How much wealthier are Americans compared to Chinese citizens?
Americans are significantly wealthier on a per capita basis. U.S. GDP per capita is $83,460 versus China's $12,720—meaning the average American is 6.5 times wealthier than the average Chinese citizen. This gap reflects the U.S.'s developed economy status with high service sector wages, advanced technology jobs, and established infrastructure. However, this gap is narrowing; China's per capita income has grown from $1,000 in 2000 to $12,720 in 2024, while the U.S. has grown from $36,000 to $83,460 in the same period.
The U.S. economy is generally considered more stable due to: transparent financial systems, independent judiciary, diversified sectors with 47% in services, lower debt relative to size, and established institutions. China's stability is affected by: high total debt (290% of GDP when including local government and corporate debt), less transparent financial reporting, government intervention in markets, and property sector challenges (real estate represents ~30% of GDP and has faced recent slowdowns). The U.S.'s 4.0% unemployment versus China's 5.2% also indicates stronger labor market stability.
What are the economic prospects for each economy by 2030?
U.S. prospects: Expected GDP growth of 2.0-2.5% annually driven by AI/technology innovation, though productivity gains may not match historical rates due to demographic aging and high government debt servicing costs. By 2030, nominal U.S. GDP could reach $32-34 trillion. China prospects: Growth expected to moderate to 3.5-4.5% as labor force aging accelerates, real estate sector stabilizes, and middle-income trap challenges emerge. However, AI leadership development and supply chain diversification could support growth. By 2030, China's nominal GDP could reach $21-23 trillion, potentially closing the gap to 70-75% of U.S. size. Long-term, demographics favor the U.S. (immigration) while China faces population decline.
How to Choose Between United States Economy and China Economy
Nominal GDP (2024): United States Economy has $27.4 trillion, while China Economy has $17.8 trillion.
GDP Per Capita: United States Economy has $83,460, while China Economy has $12,720.
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024): United States Economy has 2.7%, while China Economy has 5.2%.
Foreign Exchange Reserves: United States Economy has $130 billion, while China Economy has $3.2 trillion.
Consider: Manufacturing Output (% of global)
Manufacturing Output (% of global): United States Economy has 16%, while China Economy has 29%.
Unemployment Rate (2024): United States Economy has 4.0%, while China Economy has 5.2%.
Fortune 500 Companies: United States Economy has 136, while China Economy has 142.