The United States maintains the world's largest nominal GDP at approximately $28.7 trillion in 2026, while China ranks second at approximately $17.9 trillion, giving the US a $10.8 trillion advantage despite China's faster historical growth rates.
US vs China Nominal GDP 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest advanced economy with $28.7 trillion nominal GDP in 2026
World's second-largest economy and manufacturing superpower
Nominal GDP 2026. GDP Per Capita 2026. Economic Growth Rate (2024-2026 avg). Population Size. Global GDP Market Share. Top Fortune 500 Companies. Total National Debt
The United States maintains superior economic dominance in 2026 by nominal GDP total, per-capita wealth, and global market share, reflecting its mature, service-driven economy. However, China's significantly faster growth rate (4.8% vs 2.4%) and massive population suggest potential longer-term trajectory shifts. Choose US for current economic power and stability; choose China if analyzing future growth momentum and emerging market 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: 1.42 billion
United States: 136 companies | China: 95 companies
United States: 312 million | China: 926 million
United States: $28.3 trillion | China: $32.1 trillion
United States: $2.1 trillion | China: $4.7 trillion
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: 337 million | China: 1,420 million
United States: $34.2 trillion | China: $7.1 trillion
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
United States: N/A | China: $189 billion
How to choose between United States and China
US vs China Nominal GDP 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for US vs China Nominal GDP 2026. Contains 163 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
US vs China Nominal GDP 2026 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for US vs China Nominal GDP 2026.
Will China overtake the US in nominal GDP by 2030?
At current growth rates (US 2.4%, China 4.8%), China closes the GDP gap by approximately $400 billion annually. To overtake the US's $28.7 trillion would require China to grow 3x faster than current rates. Most economists project China could reach $20-21 trillion by 2030 while the US reaches $31-32 trillion, maintaining US leadership. However, currency fluctuations (Chinese yuan appreciation) and structural economic shifts could accelerate China's nominal GDP growth.
Why is China's GDP per capita so much lower despite being the second-largest economy?
China's population of 1.42 billion is 4.2x larger than the US. When dividing $17.9 trillion by 1.42 billion people yields $12,700 per capita, versus $28.7 trillion ÷ 337 million = $85,200 per capita. This reflects China's development stage: while it has massive aggregate GDP, wealth remains concentrated in coastal urban centers while rural areas lag significantly, creating a 3-4x income gap between provinces.
What explains the US's $34.2 trillion national debt versus China's $7.1 trillion?
The US has accumulated debt through decades of deficit spending, wars, financial crises, and social programs, combined with lower national savings rates. China maintains lower debt through government fiscal discipline, high household savings (26% of income vs 3% in US), state-owned enterprise restructuring, and capital controls. However, China's actual liabilities are likely higher when including provincial/municipal hidden debt estimated at $4-8 trillion by IMF, narrowing the true gap.
How does economic structure differ between US and China economies?
The US economy is service-based (78% of GDP from finance, technology, healthcare, entertainment) with lower manufacturing output (11% of GDP). China's economy is manufacturing-export driven (27% of GDP) combined with growing services (57%). This makes the US economy more resilient to automation but slower-growing; China's economy more volatile but higher-growth potential as it transitions to services like the US did.
Which country's economy is more sustainable long-term?
The US has advantages in innovation capacity (36% of global R&D spending), demographic stability, and institutional resilience, but faces fiscal challenges from aging population and high debt. China has growth momentum and younger population but faces demographic decline (negative population growth by 2025), aging workforce, property market instability ($3+ trillion in stressed real estate), and reduced consumption. Neither faces imminent crisis, but both face unique structural challenges requiring significant economic reforms by 2035.
How to Choose Between United States and China
Nominal GDP 2026: United States has $28.7 trillion, while China has $17.9 trillion.
GDP Per Capita 2026: United States has $85,200, while China has $12,700.
Consider: Economic Growth Rate (2024-2026 avg)
Economic Growth Rate (2024-2026 avg): United States has 2.4% annually, while China has 4.8% annually.
Population Size: United States has 337 million, while China has 1.42 billion.
Global GDP Market Share: United States has 35.2%, while China has 21.9%.
Top Fortune 500 Companies: United States has 136 companies, while China has 95 companies.
Total National Debt: United States has $34.2 trillion, while China has $7.1 trillion.