The US economy leads in per-capita GDP ($76,398 vs $12,720) and technological innovation, while China's economy is larger by total GDP ($17.9T vs $28.2T) and dominates manufacturing output. The US maintains structural advantages in financial markets and currency stability, while China leads in infrastructure spending and export volume.
US vs China Economy Comparison 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest nominal GDP with highest per capita income and consumer spending power
Second-largest nominal GDP with highest PPP adjustment, world's manufacturing hub with 1.4 billion population
Total GDP (Nominal). GDP per Capita. Manufacturing Output (% of Global). Foreign Direct Investment Inflow 2025. Stock Market Capitalization. Patent Filings (Annual 2025). Unemployment Rate
Choose the US economy for wealth per capita, financial market depth, and innovation leadership in high-tech sectors; choose China's economy for manufacturing scale, infrastructure investment, and export competitiveness. The US maintains structural economic advantages in living standards and currency strength, while China's sheer GDP size and manufacturing dominance create distinct geopolitical and trade advantages.
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: 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: 126% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: 335 million | China Economy: 1,426 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: $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: 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: $87,000 | China Economy: $13,500
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: 335 million | China Economy: 1,420 million
United States Economy: 21% of electricity | China Economy: 18%
United States Economy: 144 companies | China Economy: 142 companies
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $3.8 trillion
United States Economy: 16% | China Economy: 28%
United States Economy: 80.1% | China Economy: 54.8%
United States Economy: $346 billion | China Economy: $163 billion
United States Economy: $31.2 trillion | China Economy: $22.8 trillion
United States Economy: -$73 billion deficit | China Economy: N/A
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: 615,000 | China Economy: 1,542,000
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: 11% | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $63,400 | China Economy: $11,500
United States Economy: 0.38 million | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $7.25 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 8.7% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $809 billion | China Economy: $696 billion
United States Economy: 12.8% | China Economy: 28.4%
United States Economy: 9.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $42.8 trillion | China Economy: $15.2 trillion
United States Economy: 16.5% | 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: $285 billion | China Economy: $163 billion
United States Economy: 0.41 | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 17.3% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: -$773 billion | China Economy: +$821 billion surplus
United States Economy: 398,144 | China Economy: 687,231
United States Economy: $285 billion annually | 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: 29%
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: $76,398 | China Economy: $23,741
United States Economy: 11.2% | China Economy: 28.5%
United States Economy: 415,000 | China Economy: 1,200,000
United States Economy: $41.2 trillion | China Economy: $11.3 trillion
United States Economy: $120,000 | China Economy: $38,000
United States Economy: $76,398 | China Economy: $12,800
United States Economy: 680 GW | China Economy: 1,480 GW
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: $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: $27.9 trillion | China Economy: $31.7 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: 5.2%
United States Economy: 3.4% | China Economy: 2.1%
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 years | China Economy: 38.4 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: 129% | China Economy: 77%
United States Economy: $840 billion | China Economy: $369 billion
United States Economy: 8.2% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 26.4% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $83,250 | China Economy: $12,720
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: $12.4 trillion | China Economy: $4.2 trillion
United States Economy: $28.7 trillion | China Economy: $36.7 trillion
United States Economy: $2.1 trillion | China Economy: $1.6 trillion
United States Economy: $285 billion | China Economy: $139 billion
United States Economy: 0.34 billion | China Economy: 1.4 billion
United States Economy: 1.8% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 8.1% | China Economy: 12.3%
United States Economy: 127% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $12.4 trillion | China Economy: $2.8 trillion
United States Economy: 58% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $350 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 21x (S&P 500) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12% of global exports | China Economy: 14.2%
United States Economy: $82,100 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: $2,100 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $2,300 billion | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: 12.1% | China Economy: 12.4%
United States Economy: 48% | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $28.2T | China Economy: $17.9T
United States Economy: $86,000 | China Economy: $12,720
United States Economy: 289,000 | China Economy: 385,000
United States Economy: 2.1% | China Economy: 5.3%
United States Economy: $33.7 trillion | China Economy: $13.2 trillion
United States Economy: $28.8 trillion | China Economy: $17.9 trillion
United States Economy: 2.4% | China Economy: 0.2%
United States Economy: #1 (New York) | China Economy: N/A
United States Economy: $27.7 trillion | China Economy: $35.7 trillion
United States Economy: $0.13 trillion | China Economy: $3.2 trillion
United States Economy: $82,100 | China Economy: $13,100
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: $1,540 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $12.3 trillion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 5.2%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 20.6%
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: 47%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: $3.6 trillion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 0.8%
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: 1,570,000
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: +$632 billion
United States Economy: N/A | China Economy: +0.4%
How to choose between United States Economy and China Economy
Compare United States Economy vs China Economy
US vs China Economy Comparison 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for US vs China Economy Comparison 2026. Contains 355 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
US vs China Economy Comparison 2026 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for US vs China Economy Comparison 2026.
Why is China's total GDP larger if the US has higher per-capita GDP?
China's population of 1.4 billion is 4.2x larger than the US (330 million). Total GDP multiplies per-capita GDP by population, so China's massive population creates a larger absolute economy despite lower individual wealth. The US has $76,398 per person × 330M people = $25.2T of potential output, while China has $12,720 per person × 1.4B people = $17.8T, but China's actual GDP is higher due to purchasing power parity adjustments and faster growth rates.
Which economy is stronger for future investment?
The US offers stronger capital market access ($47.3T market cap vs $13.8T) with 88% currency reserve dominance, making it safer for long-term wealth preservation. China offers faster growth (5.2% vs 2.8%) and manufacturing dominance but faces capital controls and geopolitical risks. US is better for financial stability; China is better for growth exposure.
How do US and China compare in technological innovation?
China files more patents (385,000 vs 289,000 annually), but the US leads in high-value sectors: semiconductor design (NVIDIA, Apple), AI (OpenAI, Google), and biotech. China dominates in hardware manufacturing and clean energy patents. US innovation is more concentrated in cutting-edge technology; China's is more volume-driven in applied manufacturing.
What are the biggest economic risks for each nation?
US risks: federal debt at 126% of GDP, rising interest payments, and trade deficits. China risks: aging population (median age 39 vs 38 in US), youth unemployment at 21%, property sector instability, and potential semiconductor sanctions. Both face medium-term demographic and fiscal pressures.
China is the world's largest exporter with $2.1 trillion in annual exports (28% of global trade). The US exports $1.8 trillion but imports $3.2 trillion, creating an $89 billion trade deficit. China's export dominance comes from manufactured goods; the US leads in service exports (finance, technology, consulting).
How to Choose Between United States Economy and China Economy
Total GDP (Nominal): United States Economy has $28.2 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 Global)
Manufacturing Output (% of Global): United States Economy has 12.8%, while China Economy has 28.4%.
Consider: Foreign Direct Investment Inflow 2025
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow 2025: United States Economy has $285 billion, while China Economy has $163 billion.
Stock Market Capitalization: United States Economy has $47.3 trillion, while China Economy has $13.8 trillion.
Patent Filings (Annual 2025): United States Economy has 289,000, while China Economy has 385,000.
Unemployment Rate: United States Economy has 4.1%, while China Economy has 5.2%.