World's second-largest economy with 1.4B people, rapid industrialization, and 70% global EV production dominance.
Scale and manufacturing
Short Answer
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.
Our Verdict
The USA leads in per-capita wealth, military, and tech. China leads in manufacturing, population, and growth rate. The rivalry defines the 21st century.
United States6.7
8.3China
Choose United States if
Economic power and innovation
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Key Differences at a Glance
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GDP:United States wins ($25.5T vs $17.7T)
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Population:China wins (1.4B vs 333M)
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Military Spending:United States wins ($877B vs $292B)
Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)
Potential +0.5% from policy
-0.5 to -2.0%
+140%
AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)
0.5%+ (estimated)
0.2-0.3%
+100%
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)
2.0-2.5%
4.6-4.8%
-52%
Global EV Production Market Share(percent)
20%
70%
-71%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)
Minimal (<5%)
94%
-97%
Global Manufacturing Output Share(%)
18%
35%
-49%
GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)
$76,398
$13,738
+456%
Nominal GDP (2024)(trillion USD)
$27.4 trillion
$20.7 trillion
+32%
Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)
$3,981 (2022)
$467 (2023)
+752%
Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)
$11,109.2 billion
$6,177.1 billion
+80%
Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)
$925.8 billion
$296.5 billion
+212%
Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)
$2,174.6 billion
$1,272.4 billion
+71%
Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)
0.34 billion
1.4 billion
-76%
Total Land Area(sq mi)
3,794,100 sq mi
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GDP Per Capita (2024)(USD)
$86,173
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Total GDP(USD Trillions)
$27.4 trillion
$20.6 trillion
+33%
National Debt (% of GDP)(percent)
122.27%
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Government Expenditure (% of GDP)(percent)
50.50%
—
—
Population(millions)
330 million
1,425 million
-77%
Military Rank (Global)(rank)
Rank 1 (global superpower)
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—
Renewable Energy (% of electricity)(percent)
21%
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Nominal GDP 2026(USD Trillions)
$32.38T
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GDP Growth Rate(% annual)
2.0% (Q1 2026)
4.6-4.8%
-57%
Per Capita GDP 2026(USD)
$96,500
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Global Economic Rank(rank)
1st largest
—
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GDP Gap vs Leader(USD trillions)
Reference (leader)
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—
Manufacturing Output as % of Global(% of world)
~15%
—
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Annual GDP Growth Rate(%)
2.0% (Q1 2026)
—
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Global Solar Panel Production(%)
~5%
—
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LFP Battery Production Share(%)
~3%
—
—
Median Age(Years)
39.0
39.0
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GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)
$17.9 trillion
$17.9 trillion
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Active Military Personnel(Million)
2,300 thousand
2,300 thousand
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Main Battle Tanks(count)
5,800
5,800
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Semiconductor Market Share(%)
15% (all types)
15% (all types)
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Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Billion)
$3,300 billion
$3,300 billion
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Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))
88 (not free)
88 (not free)
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R&D Spending(percent of GDP)
2.4%
2.4%
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Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)
40% (global EV sales)
40% (global EV sales)
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Human Development Index(score 0-1)
0.796 (high)
0.796 (high)
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Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)
$17.9
$17.9
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Total Population(billions)
1.4 billion
1.4 billion
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Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)
€296.5 billion
€296.5 billion
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Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)
€467
€467
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Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)
$620,062.8M
$620,062.8M
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Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)
1.03%
1.03%
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All figures sourced from publicly available data. Last updated May 2026.
$292B
$76,300🏆
GDP per Capita
$12,500
#2
Manufacturing Output
#1🏆
GDP
United States
$25.5T🏆
China
$17.7T
Population
United States
333M
China
1.4B🏆
Military Spending
United States
$877B🏆
China
$292B
GDP per Capita
United States
$76,300🏆
China
$12,500
Manufacturing Output
United States
#2
China
#1🏆
Pros & Cons
United States
4 pros3 cons
Pros
Largest economy ($25.5T)
Strongest military
Technology leader
Highest GDP per capita among large nations
Cons
High inequality
Political polarization
High healthcare costs
China
4 pros3 cons
Pros
1.4 billion population
Manufacturing superpower
Rapid infrastructure growth
Growing tech sector
Cons
Lower GDP per capita
Environmental challenges
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
