China's Economy vs United States Economy
The US economy is larger by nominal GDP ($27.4T vs $17.9T in 2024), but China's economy grows faster at 5.2% annually and manufactures 28% of global goods. The US leads in per-capita income ($76,398 vs $12,556) and technological innovation, while China dominates in foreign exchange reserves and global trade volume.
China's Economy vs United States Economy — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
The United States maintains a larger overall economy with higher per-capita wealth and lower unemployment, making it more developed on individual prosperity metrics. China's economy grows faster, controls manufacturing, and holds vastly larger reserves, positioning it as the faster-expanding economic power. Choose the US economy analysis if studying developed-world economic stability and innovation; choose China's if analyzing rapid growth markets and global manufacturing dominance.
Compare United States Economy vs China's Economy
World's largest developed economy with $27.4 trillion GDP and technology/finance dominance
World's second-largest economy at $17.8 trillion with 28% global manufacturing share and 5% annual growth
China's Economy vs United States Economy — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for China's Economy vs United States Economy with 285 attributes.
Advanced Semiconductor Market Leadership
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production Share
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2024)
Tech Sector Market Capitalization (Top 7 Companies)
Average Annual GDP Growth Rate (2010-2023)
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2020-2026 Average)
Government Education Spending Per Capita
China's Economy vs United States Economy — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for China's Economy vs United States Economy.
Is China's economy bigger than the US economy?
By nominal GDP in US dollars, the US economy is larger at $27.4 trillion vs China's $17.9 trillion (2024). However, by purchasing power parity (PPP), China's economy is larger at $31.3 trillion vs the US at $28.7 trillion, accounting for lower Chinese price levels. The nominal measure is standard for international comparisons.
Why is China's economy growing faster if the US economy is bigger?
China's 5.2% annual growth rate (2x the US rate) reflects the dynamics of emerging market economies that start from a smaller base and have higher potential for rapid expansion. The US, as a mature developed economy, has slower but more stable growth. China's growth is fueled by urbanization, manufacturing expansion, and rising consumer spending, while US growth relies on technological innovation and service sectors.
How does per capita income differ between the two economies?
US per capita income is $76,398 compared to China's $12,556—a 6-to-1 gap. This reflects China's much larger population (1.4 billion vs 335 million), lower average wages, and concentration of wealth. Despite China's massive economy, the average American is 6 times wealthier than the average Chinese citizen.
The US economy is more stable due to democratic institutions, rule of law, diversified sectors (tech, finance, healthcare, services), and deep capital markets. China's economy faces structural risks including real estate debt (29% of GDP), demographic decline from aging population, and heavy government intervention. However, China's massive foreign reserves ($3.3T) provide substantial financial buffers.
How do trade relationships affect both economies?
China is the world's largest exporter (13.4% global share) with $3.6 trillion in exports, while the US exports $2.3 trillion. China dominates goods manufacturing and exports, while the US leads in services, IP, and technology exports. Both economies depend on trade, but China is more export-dependent at 33% of GDP vs the US at 12%.