The USA has the world's largest economy ($25.5T GDP), highest military spending, and leads in technology innovation. China has the largest population (1.4B), second largest economy ($17.7T), and is the world's manufacturing hub.
USA vs China — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
The USA leads in per-capita wealth, military, and tech. China leads in manufacturing, population, and growth rate. The rivalry defines the 21st century.
Federal republic spanning North America with 345 million people, world's largest economy at $28.7 trillion, and diverse geography from coasts to mountains.
Upper-middle-income country with world's 2nd-largest economy and dominant manufacturing base.
Structured comparison data for USA vs China with 132 attributes.
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production
Government Education Expenditure Per Capita
Years to Close GDP Gap (at current growth rates)
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2025)
Years to Double GDP at Current Growth Rate
USA vs China — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for USA vs China.
The USA has the larger nominal GDP at $25.5 trillion vs China's $17.7 trillion. However, by purchasing power parity (PPP), China may already be larger.
The USA has the world's most powerful military with $877 billion annual spending, 11 aircraft carriers, and global force projection capability.
Which country is better for business and investment opportunities?
The USA offers more developed financial markets, stronger legal protections for investors, and easier business formation, making it attractive for startups and established companies. China provides lower labor costs, massive manufacturing infrastructure, and rapid market growth, but presents regulatory challenges and intellectual property concerns. Your choice depends on your industry, risk tolerance, and business model.