The United States maintains the world's largest nominal GDP at approximately $28.7 trillion, while China's GDP reaches roughly $17.9 trillion in 2026. However, China surpasses the US in PPP-adjusted GDP at $33.8 trillion versus $28.7 trillion, reflecting different measurement methodologies and cost-of-living differences.
US vs China GDP 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest nominal GDP economy with advanced services sector and consumer spending.
World's second-largest nominal GDP with dominant manufacturing sector and rapid growth.
Nominal GDP 2026. PPP-Adjusted GDP 2026. GDP Per Capita (Nominal). GDP Growth Rate 2025-2026. Global GDP Market Share. Manufacturing Output Value. Services Sector Contribution
The US leads in nominal GDP and per capita wealth, demonstrating a mature, service-oriented economy with higher living standards. China leads in PPP-adjusted GDP and manufacturing output, reflecting its massive population and role as the global manufacturing hub with rapid growth momentum. Choose the US GDP metric for understanding dollar-denominated wealth and international market dominance; choose China's PPP metric for understanding actual purchasing power and real economic capacity.
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: 0.339 billion | 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: N/A | China: $17.9 trillion
United States: N/A | China: 2,300 thousand
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: 0.796 (Very High)
United States: N/A | China: $163 billion
United States: N/A | China: 1,570,000 (2023)
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 vs China GDP 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for US vs China GDP 2026. Contains 123 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
US vs China GDP 2026 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for US vs China GDP 2026.
Why does China have higher PPP GDP but lower nominal GDP than the US?
PPP (Purchasing Power Parity) adjusts GDP for cost-of-living differences. Goods and services cost less in China, so the same dollar buys more. Nominal GDP uses current market exchange rates ($1 USD = 7.2 CNY in 2026), which undervalues China's economy when converted to dollars. PPP better reflects actual economic output and purchasing power, while nominal GDP better reflects global financial influence and market capitalization.
China's economy grows at 4.8% annually versus the US at 2.1%, meaning China's economy expands 2.3x faster. However, the US maintains an absolute GDP advantage of $10.8 trillion. At current growth rates, China would theoretically overtake the US in nominal GDP within approximately 15-20 years, though this depends on exchange rates, trade policies, and structural changes in both economies.
What explains the massive GDP per capita difference?
The US GDP per capita ($85,400) is 6.7x higher than China ($12,700) due to three factors: (1) higher average wages and productivity in developed economy sectors; (2) smaller population relative to total wealth (335M vs 1.4B people); (3) mature consumer economy with higher service prices and spending. China's average worker earns roughly 1/8th what an American worker earns, though cost of living is also proportionally lower.
China dominates with $4.7 trillion in manufacturing output, representing 28% of global manufacturing. The US manufactures $2.1 trillion annually but has shifted to high-value sectors like semiconductors, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals. China controls low-to-mid-value mass production (textiles, electronics assembly, appliances), while the US focuses on capital-intensive and proprietary manufacturing.
What's the impact of US national debt on GDP comparison?
The US carries $36 trillion in national debt (130% of GDP) versus China's $13.5 trillion (75% of GDP). While this doesn't directly reduce nominal GDP, higher debt servicing costs ($650 billion annually in US interest payments) reduce funds available for investment and growth. However, the US dollar's reserve currency status allows deficit spending that would be unsustainable for most countries. This structural difference explains partially why US growth is slower.
How to Choose Between United States and China
Nominal GDP 2026: United States has $28.7 trillion USD, while China has $17.9 trillion USD.
PPP-Adjusted GDP 2026: United States has $28.7 trillion, while China has $33.8 trillion.
GDP Per Capita (Nominal): United States has $85,400 USD, while China has $12,700 USD.
GDP Growth Rate 2025-2026: United States has 2.1% annual, while China has 4.8% annual.
Global GDP Market Share: United States has 26% of world GDP, while China has 16% of world GDP (nominal).
Manufacturing Output Value: United States has $2.1 trillion, while China has $4.7 trillion.
Services Sector Contribution: United States has 80% of GDP, while China has 55% of GDP.