China's Economy vs United States Economy
The US economy leads in per-capita wealth and technological innovation with a $27.4 trillion GDP and $82,000 per-capita income, while China's $17.9 trillion GDP ranks second globally but serves 1.4 billion people with $12,500 per-capita income. The US dominates in productivity and currency strength, while China leads in manufacturing output and foreign exchange reserves.
China's Economy vs United States Economy — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose the US economy if prioritizing per-capita wealth, living standards, technological innovation leadership, and currency stability for investment purposes. Choose China's economy if analyzing manufacturing dominance, foreign exchange reserves, rapid infrastructure development, and growth potential in emerging markets with lower labor costs.
Compare United States Economy vs China's Economy
World's largest nominal GDP with advanced services sector and highest per capita income.
World's second-largest economy with rapid growth, manufacturing dominance, and massive foreign reserves.
China's Economy vs United States Economy — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for China's Economy vs United States Economy with 276 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.
Which economy is actually larger, the US or China?
The US has the larger nominal GDP at $27.4 trillion vs China's $17.9 trillion as of 2026. However, China surpassed the US in PPP (purchasing power parity) GDP around 2016, now at $32 trillion vs US $31 trillion. Nominal GDP measures market exchange rates; PPP adjusts for living cost differences. For global trade and investment, nominal GDP is the standard metric.
Why is China's per-capita income so much lower despite being the second-largest economy?
China has 1.4 billion people versus the US's 340 million. When dividing total GDP by population, China's per-capita income is only $12,500 compared to the US's $82,000. This reflects China's earlier stage of development—though industrializing rapidly, most Chinese workers earn wages 5-8x lower than US counterparts. This gap narrows yearly as China develops.
How sustainable are China's foreign exchange reserves of $3.27 trillion?
China's $3.27 trillion in FX reserves (mostly USD-denominated) is sustainable because it results from consistent trade surpluses averaging $300-400 billion annually. These reserves serve as a stabilization mechanism during capital outflows and provide confidence in the yuan. However, China also faces $2.8 trillion in external debt, reducing net reserve strength. The US holds only $130 billion because the dollar's reserve status means less accumulation is needed.
Is the US debt-to-GDP ratio of 128% unsustainable?
The US debt ratio of 128% is elevated but manageable because: (1) most debt is denominated in USD, giving the Federal Reserve control over rates, (2) foreign holdings are only 30% of total debt, and (3) the US runs persistent tax revenues of $4.5 trillion annually. However, if interest rates remain elevated, debt service will consume 25%+ of federal revenue by 2030, constraining stimulus. China's 77% ratio provides more fiscal flexibility currently.
China's real GDP growth averages 5.0% annually (2024-2026), while the US averages 2.8%. However, the US's growth is from a much higher per-capita base ($82,000 vs $12,500), meaning Americans add more absolute purchasing power yearly. China's faster headline growth reflects earlier industrialization stage and government stimulus, while US growth is constrained by mature markets and higher labor costs. Nominal growth rates are similar (~5-6%) due to inflation differences.