The USA maintains the world's largest nominal GDP at approximately $28.7 trillion in 2026, while China ranks second at approximately $17.8 trillion. However, China leads in purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP at $28.5 trillion versus the USA's $28.7 trillion nominal, representing the fundamental economic divergence between these superpowers.
USA vs China GDP Comparison 2026 — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest nominal economy with advanced financial and tech sectors
World's most populous economy with rapid growth and massive manufacturing base
Nominal GDP 2026. PPP-Adjusted GDP 2026. GDP Per Capita 2026. Estimated Annual GDP Growth Rate. Manufacturing Output as % of GDP. Debt-to-GDP Ratio. Foreign Direct Investment Inflows 2025
The USA maintains economic dominance by nominal GDP standards and per capita wealth, making it the wealthier nation on an individual basis with stronger institutional frameworks and capital markets. China's economy rivals the USA when adjusted for purchasing power and demonstrates faster growth rates plus lower debt levels, positioning it as the faster-growing economy with manufacturing supremacy. Choose USA metrics if comparing global financial influence and living standards; choose China metrics if evaluating real productive capacity and long-term growth trajectory.
United States of America: $31.82 trillion | People's Republic of China: $35.0+ trillion
United States of America: 22.73% | People's Republic of China: 14.77%
United States of America: 6.31x higher | People's Republic of China: 1.0x (baseline)
United States of America: Emerging leader, <30% | People's Republic of China: 70%
United States of America: ~15% | People's Republic of China: 35%
Combined Global Economic Share (Nominal)
United States of America: 42.46% (combined US-China) | People's Republic of China: 42.46% (combined US-China)
United States of America: $89,000+ | People's Republic of China: $14,100
United States of America: 23.6% | People's Republic of China: 15.2%
United States of America: 18% | People's Republic of China: 70%
United States of America: ~15% | People's Republic of China: 80%+
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
United States of America: 6% | People's Republic of China: 94%
United States of America: 2.5% | People's Republic of China: 4.7%
United States of America: €10,266.8B | People's Republic of China: $6,240,157.8M
United States of America: €925,796.8M | People's Republic of China: $313.7 billion
United States of America: €3,981 | People's Republic of China: €467
United States of America: 20% | People's Republic of China: 70%
United States of America: $27.6 trillion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $821 billion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 57 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 6,300 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: Advanced semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, defense tech | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $94,800 | People's Republic of China: $15,000
United States of America: 2.0-2.5% | People's Republic of China: 4.5-4.8%
United States of America: ~18% | People's Republic of China: 35%
United States of America: $30.1 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: 2.0–2.5% | People's Republic of China: 4.6–4.8%
United States of America: <5% | People's Republic of China: 80%+
United States of America: 4.5% | People's Republic of China: ~4.0% (estimated)
United States of America: $76,398 | People's Republic of China: $12,720
United States of America: $2.9T | People's Republic of China: $7.8T
United States of America: $820 billion | People's Republic of China: $296 billion
United States of America: 3.4% | People's Republic of China: 2.1%
United States of America: 743 km | People's Republic of China: 45,000 km
United States of America: 9.8 million km² | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 34 per km² | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $12,914 per capita | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 4.7 per 100k | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 0.41 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 1,290 thousand | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 1,770 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 9,833,520 km² | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 5,800 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 27 universities | People's Republic of China: 8 universities
United States of America: $384 billion (2023) | People's Republic of China: $189 billion (2023)
United States of America: $27.3 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: 614,000 | People's Republic of China: 1,500,000
United States of America: 707 GW | People's Republic of China: 1,854 GW
United States of America: 4.7 physicians | People's Republic of China: 2.1 physicians
United States of America: $27.36 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.99 trillion
United States of America: $76,400 | People's Republic of China: $19,520
United States of America: $820 billion | People's Republic of China: $292 billion
United States of America: 371.8 | People's Republic of China: 1,200
United States of America: $27.3 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.8 trillion
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 6.3 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $11,945 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 2.1 billion | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 79.3 million | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 16% | People's Republic of China: 28%
United States of America: 735 km | People's Republic of China: 45,000 km
United States of America: 61% | People's Republic of China: 22%
United States of America: 340 million | People's Republic of China: 1,400 million
United States of America: 78.9 years | People's Republic of China: 77.9 years
United States of America: 5.0 billion | People's Republic of China: 12.3 billion
United States of America: $2.1 trillion | People's Republic of China: $4.7 trillion
United States of America: 91% | People's Republic of China: 1,050 million
United States of America: $28.5T | People's Republic of China: $23.8T
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024-2026)
United States of America: 2.25% | People's Republic of China: 4.75%
United States of America: 206M | People's Republic of China: 920M
United States of America: 1st | People's Republic of China: 2nd
United States of America: AI, semiconductors, cloud computing | People's Republic of China: 5G, renewables, EVs
United States of America: 82% | People's Republic of China: 63%
United States of America: 814,340 | People's Republic of China: 1,570,000
United States of America: 8.5% | People's Republic of China: 12.3%
United States of America: 16% of global | People's Republic of China: 28% of global
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.8 trillion
United States of America: 635,000 | People's Republic of China: 1,700,000
United States of America: 2.1% | People's Republic of China: 4.2%
United States of America: 26.3% | People's Republic of China: 16.4%
United States of America: $285 billion | People's Republic of China: $163 billion
United States of America: 59% | People's Republic of China: 2.7%
United States of America: 128% | People's Republic of China: 77%
United States of America: $27.4 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: 78.9 years | People's Republic of China: 78.2
United States of America: 99.0% | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 4.1% | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $74,580 | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $820 billion | People's Republic of China: $296B
United States of America: 635,000 | People's Republic of China: 1,500,000
United States of America: 91% | People's Republic of China: 76%
United States of America: $0.13 trillion | People's Republic of China: $3.27 trillion
United States of America: $27.4T | People's Republic of China: $17.8T
United States of America: 338 million | People's Republic of China: 1,430M
United States of America: 605,000 | People's Republic of China: 738,000
United States of America: $848 billion | People's Republic of China: $612 billion
United States of America: $28.7 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.8 trillion
United States of America: $28.7 trillion | People's Republic of China: $28.5 trillion
United States of America: $85,300 | People's Republic of China: $12,600
United States of America: 11.2% | People's Republic of China: 28.4%
United States of America: 123% | People's Republic of China: 77%
United States of America: 2.1% | People's Republic of China: 5.3%
United States of America: $86,500 | People's Republic of China: $12,720
United States of America: $294 billion | People's Republic of China: $163 billion
United States of America: 217 companies | People's Republic of China: 152 companies
United States of America: 0.34 billion | People's Republic of China: 1.42 billion
United States of America: $27.36 trillion | People's Republic of China: $27.39 trillion
United States of America: 2.8% | People's Republic of China: 5.2%
United States of America: 18% | People's Republic of China: 28%
United States of America: -$773 billion (deficit) | People's Republic of China: +$631 billion (surplus)
United States of America: 0.921 (Very High) | People's Republic of China: 0.796 (High)
United States of America: 21% | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: 91.7% insured | People's Republic of China: N/A
United States of America: $28.7 trillion | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: $28.7 trillion | People's Republic of China: $36.4 trillion
United States of America: $76,398 | People's Republic of China: $12,721
United States of America: $76,398 | People's Republic of China: $25,903
United States of America: 2.1% | People's Republic of China: 5.0%
United States of America: 80% | People's Republic of China: 55%
United States of America: 12% | People's Republic of China: 27%
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: $17.9 trillion
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 38.4 years
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: €469
JPMorgan Growth Leadership Outlook (2026)
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: Secondary
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: $18.74T
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 5.0-5.3%
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 32.94%
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: €299,621.7M
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: $620,062.8M
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: €11,242
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 392 robots per 10k workers
United States of America: N/A | People's Republic of China: 60%
How to choose between United States of America and People's Republic of China
Compare United States of America vs People's Republic of China
USA vs China GDP Comparison 2026 — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for USA vs China GDP Comparison 2026. Contains 139 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
USA vs China GDP Comparison 2026 — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for USA vs China GDP Comparison 2026.
Why does USA have higher nominal GDP than China if they're closer in PPP terms?
Nominal GDP measures output in current US dollars at market exchange rates, while PPP adjusts for cost-of-living differences. A Chinese worker earning $10,000 annually has purchasing power equivalent to a $35,000-earning American when adjusted for local prices. The USA's higher nominal GDP reflects stronger currency valuation (USD is the global reserve currency) and higher absolute price levels, not necessarily greater real economic productivity. When adjusted for purchasing power, China's economy is nearly equivalent, but nominal GDP determines international financial influence.
Is China's economy growing faster than the USA's?
Yes, China's GDP growth rate averages 4.2% annually compared to the USA's 2.1%. Over a 10-year period, this 2.1 percentage point difference compounds significantly—China's economy grows approximately 50% faster annually. However, growth rates typically slow as economies mature and reach higher income levels. The USA's slower growth reflects a mature, service-based economy; China's faster growth reflects continued industrialization, though recent demographic challenges (aging population, lower birth rates) may moderate future growth rates.
Which country has a healthier economic structure?
This depends on criteria. China's lower debt-to-GDP ratio (77% vs 123%) and higher manufacturing output (28.4% vs 11.2%) suggest greater productive capacity and fiscal sustainability. The USA's higher per capita GDP ($85,300 vs $12,600), dominant capital markets, and reserve currency status indicate more advanced financial institutions and higher living standards. China's economy is structurally tilted toward production; the USA's toward services and finance. Neither is definitively 'healthier'—they represent different development models.
Will China's economy surpass the USA by nominal GDP?
Unlikely in the next 5-10 years given current trajectories. While China grows 2x faster, it starts from a $10.9 trillion lower baseline. At current rates, China would need 15-20 years of sustained 4%+ growth to match USA nominal GDP, assuming USA growth remains near 2%. However, PPP-adjusted GDP comparisons already show China at near-parity. Geopolitical factors, technological competition, and policy decisions could significantly alter these projections in either direction.
Why does the USA attract more foreign direct investment despite China's size?
The USA attracted $285 billion in FDI (2025) versus China's $163 billion due to: (1) stronger legal protections and contract enforcement, (2) unrestricted capital flows and profit repatriation, (3) leading tech ecosystem and human capital, (4) stability of financial institutions and rule of law, and (5) reserve currency advantages. China's capital controls, state-owned enterprise dominance, and regulatory restrictions on foreign ownership limit FDI despite lower costs and manufacturing scale. Investors prioritize institutional quality and access to capital over size alone.
How to Choose Between United States of America and People's Republic of China
Nominal GDP 2026: United States of America has $28.7 trillion, while People's Republic of China has $17.8 trillion.
PPP-Adjusted GDP 2026: United States of America has $28.7 trillion, while People's Republic of China has $28.5 trillion.
GDP Per Capita 2026: United States of America has $85,300, while People's Republic of China has $12,600.
Consider: Estimated Annual GDP Growth Rate
Estimated Annual GDP Growth Rate: United States of America has 2.1%, while People's Republic of China has 4.2%.
Consider: Manufacturing Output as % of GDP
Manufacturing Output as % of GDP: United States of America has 11.2%, while People's Republic of China has 28.4%.
Debt-to-GDP Ratio: United States of America has 123%, while People's Republic of China has 77%.
Consider: Foreign Direct Investment Inflows 2025
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows 2025: United States of America has $285 billion, while People's Republic of China has $163 billion.