countries
USA vs China: Complete Comparison (2026) | Comparison
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.
United States
Federal republic spanning North America with 345 million people, world's largest economy at $28.7 trillion, and diverse geography from coasts to mountains.
Economic power and innovation
Score57%
VS
China
Upper-middle-income country with world's 2nd-largest economy and dominant manufacturing base.
Scale and manufacturing
Score57%
Quick Answer
AI SummaryThe 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
AI-assistedThe USA leads in per-capita wealth, military, and tech. China leads in manufacturing, population, and growth rate. The rivalry defines the 21st century.
Community feedback
Was this verdict helpful?
Thanks — we'll use this to improve our verdicts.
United States
7/10
China
8/10
Choose United States if
Economic power and innovation
Choose China if
Best pickScale and manufacturing
Track this comparison
Get notified when prices change, new specs ship, or our verdict updates.
Triggers: price change new spec verdict update
No spam. Stop anytime.
Key Differences at a Glance
- GDP:✓ United States wins($25.5T vs $17.7T)
- Population:✓ China wins(1.4B vs 333M)
- Military Spending:✓ United States wins($877B vs $292B)
Key Facts & Figures
108 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | United States | China | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP(USD trillions) | $25.5 Trillion | $17.7 Trillion | |
| Military Budget(USD) | $877 Billion | $292 Billion | |
| Life Expectancy(years) | 76.4 years | 78.5 years | |
| Nuclear Warheads | 5,550 | — | — |
| Land Area(km²) | 9.8 Million | — | — |
| Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD) | $30+ trillion | $33-34 trillion | |
| Per Capita GDP(USD) | $89,000+ | $~12,000-13,000 | |
| Global EV Production Share(%) | ~15% | 70% | |
| Global Manufacturing Output(%) | ~18% | 35% of global output | |
| Solar Panel Global Production(%) | 5-10% | 80%+ | |
| Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk) | Lower exposure (potential beneficiary) | $400-800 billion potential loss | — |
| Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent) | 2.0-2.2% | 4.6-4.8% | |
| Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%) | 10% | 80%+ | |
| LFP Battery Global Production Share(%) | <5% | 94% | |
| Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction) | Potential +0.5% from policy | -0.5 to -2.0% | |
| AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP) | 0.5%+ (estimated) | 0.2-0.3% | |
| Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%) | 2.0-2.5% | 4.6-4.8% | |
| Global EV Production Market Share(percent) | 20% | 70% | |
| Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%) | Minimal (<5%) | 94% | |
| Global Manufacturing Output Share(percent) | 12% | 28% | |
| GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD) | $76,398 | $13,738 | |
| Nominal GDP (2024)(USD trillion) | $27.4 trillion | $17.9 trillion | |
| Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD) | $3,981 (2022) | $467 (2023) | |
| Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD) | $11,109.2 billion | $6,177.1 billion | |
| Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD) | $925.8 billion | $296.5 billion | |
| Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD) | $2,174.6 billion | $1,272.4 billion | |
| Population (Approximate 2024)(billion) | 0.34 billion | 1.4 billion | |
| Total Land Area(million km²) | 3,794,100 sq mi | — | — |
| GDP Per Capita (2024)(USD) | $86,173 | — | — |
| Total GDP(trillion USD) | $27.4 trillion | $20.6 trillion | |
| National Debt (% of GDP)(percent) | 122.27% | — | — |
| Government Expenditure (% of GDP)(percent) | 50.50% | — | — |
| Military Rank (Global)(rank) | Rank 1 (global superpower) | — | — |
| Renewable Energy (% of electricity)(percent) | 21% | — | — |
| Nominal GDP 2026(trillion USD) | $28.9 trillion | $17.9 trillion | |
| GDP Growth Rate(% annually) | 2.0% (Q1 2026) | 4.6-4.8% | |
| Per Capita GDP 2026(USD) | $96,500 | — | — |
| Global Economic Rank(rank) | 1st largest | — | — |
| GDP Gap vs Leader(USD trillions) | Reference (leader) | — | — |
| Manufacturing Output as % of Global(% of world) | ~15% | — | — |
| Global Solar Panel Production(%) | ~5% | — | — |
| LFP Battery Production Share(%) | ~3% | — | — |
| Nominal GDP(trillion USD) | $27.9 trillion | $17.9 trillion | |
| GDP Per Capita(USD) | $76,398 | $12,700 | |
| Population(millions) | 0.339 billion | 1,425 million | |
| R&D Spending as % of GDP(percent) | 3.5% | 2.1% | |
| Manufacturing Share of Global Output(percent) | 16% | 28% | |
| Fortune 500 Companies(Count) | 346 companies | 124 companies | |
| Internet Users(millions) | 312 million | 926 million | |
| PPP-Adjusted GDP 2026(USD trillion) | $28.7 trillion | $33.8 trillion | |
| GDP Per Capita (Nominal)(USD) | $87,500 | $12,700 | |
| Annual GDP Growth Rate(percent) | 2.1% | 5.0% | |
| Manufacturing Sector Output(USD trillion) | $2.1 trillion | $4.7 trillion | |
| Services Sector Share(percent of GDP) | 80% | 55% | |
| Global GDP Market Share(percent) | 26% | 16% (nominal) | |
| National Debt Level(USD trillion) | $36 trillion | $13.5 trillion | |
| GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) 2026(trillion USD) | $26.9 trillion | $35.2 trillion | |
| Annual Real GDP Growth Rate (2025-2026)(percent) | 2.1% | 4.8% | |
| Technology Sector as % of GDP(percent) | 13.8% | 8.2% | |
| Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2025)(billion USD) | $285 billion | $192 billion | |
| National Debt as % of GDP(percent) | 119% | 74% | |
| GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion) | $17.9 trillion | $17.9 trillion | |
| Active Military Personnel(millions) | 2,300 thousand | 2,300 thousand | |
| Main Battle Tanks(count) | 5,800 | 5,800 | |
| Foreign Exchange Reserves(trillion USD) | $3.2 trillion | $3.2 trillion | |
| Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better)) | 88 (not free) | 88 (not free) | |
| Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent) | 40% (global EV sales) | 40% (global EV sales) | |
| Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion) | $17.9 | $17.9 | |
| Total Population(millions) | 1.42 billion | 1.42 billion | |
| Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion) | €296.5 billion | €296.5 billion | |
| Education Spending Per Capita(EUR) | €467 | €467 | |
| Government Health Expenditure(USD Million) | $620,062.8M | $620,062.8M | |
| Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP) | 1.03% | 1.03% | |
| Life Expectancy at Birth(years) | 78.2 years | 78.2 years | |
| Human Development Index(0-1 scale) | 0.796 (Very High) | 0.796 (Very High) | |
| Patent Filings Per Year(thousands) | 1,574,822 | 1,574,822 | |
| Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio(%) | 77% | 77% | |
| Manufacturing as % of GDP(Percent) | 28% | 28% | |
| Total GDP (Nominal)(USD Trillion) | $17.9 trillion | $17.9 trillion | |
| Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2024)(USD Billion) | $163 billion | $163 billion | |
| Global GDP Ranking(rank) | 2nd | 2nd | |
| Population Growth Rate(%) | -0.1% | -0.1% | |
| Projected GDP Growth Rate(%) | 4.3% | 4.3% | |
| Per Capita GDP (PPP)(USD) | $23,800 | $23,800 | |
| High-Speed Rail Network(kilometers) | 45,000 km | 45,000 km | |
| Renewable Energy Capacity(Gigawatts) | 1,576 GW | 1,576 GW | |
| Annual Patent Filings(thousands) | 1.57 million | 1.57 million | |
| Manufacturing Output (Global Share)(Percent) | 28-30% | 28-30% | |
| Median Age(years) | 39 years | 39 years | |
| Urban Population(Percent) | 65.5% | 65.5% | |
| Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2023)(USD Billion) | $163.1 billion | $163.1 billion | |
| Debt-to-GDP Ratio(percent) | 282% | 282% | |
| Global Trade Rank(Position) | #2 globally | #2 globally | |
| Annual Tech Sector Revenue(USD billion) | $850 billion | $850 billion | |
| Semiconductor Market Share(Percentage) | 12% (design & manufacturing) | 12% (design & manufacturing) | |
| Foreign Direct Investment (Annual)(billion USD) | $163 billion (2024) | $163 billion (2024) | |
| Foreign Direct Investment Inflow(billion USD annually) | $163 billion | $163 billion | |
| Years to Double GDP at Current Growth Rate(years) | 14.6 years | 14.6 years | |
| Real GDP Growth Rate(% annually) | 4.5% | 4.5% | |
| Unemployment Rate(percent) | 5.1% | 5.1% | |
| Manufacturing Output(USD trillion) | 27% | 27% | |
| Merchandise Exports(USD Billion) | $1,830 billion | $1,830 billion | |
| Unicorn Tech Companies(Count) | 305 | 305 | |
| Gross Domestic Product(USD trillion) | $17.9 trillion | $17.9 trillion | |
| Income Per Capita (PPP)(USD) | $23,500 | $23,500 | |
| Manufacturing Output Share(% of global) | 28% | 28% | |
| R&D Spending(USD billion) | 2.6% | 2.6% | |
| Broadband Penetration(% of population) | 73% | 73% |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
5 attributes compared head-to-head
United States leads
United States
Attribute
China
- $25.5T(winner)GDP$17.7T
- 333MPopulation1.4B(winner)
- $877B(winner)Military Spending$292B
- $76,300(winner)GDP per Capita$12,500
- #2Manufacturing Output#1(winner)
- GDP
United States
$25.5T(winner)
China
$17.7T
- Population
United States
333M
China
1.4B(winner)
- Military Spending
United States
$877B(winner)
China
$292B
- GDP per Capita
United States
$76,300(winner)
China
$12,500
- Manufacturing Output
United States
#2
China
#1(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | United States | China |
|---|---|---|
| GDP(USD trillions) | $25.5 Trillion(winner) | $17.7 Trillion |
| National Debt (% of GDP)(percent) | 122.27% | — |
| Government Expenditure (% of GDP)(percent) | 50.50% | — |
| GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion) | $17.9 trillion | — |
| Projected GDP Growth Rate(%) | 4.3% | — |
Show 1 more attributeGross Domestic Product(USD trillion) $17.9 trillion — | ||
| Military Budget(USD) | $877 Billion(winner) | $292 Billion |
| Nuclear Warheads | 5,550 | — |
| Military Rank (Global)(rank) | Rank 1 (global superpower) | — |
| Main Battle Tanks(count) | 5,800 | — |
| Life Expectancy(years) | 76.4 years | 78.5 years(winner) |
| Land Area(km²) | 9.8 Million | — |
| Total Land Area(million km²) | 3,794,100 sq mi | — |
| Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD) | $30+ trillion | $33-34 trillion(winner) |
| Nominal GDP 2026(trillion USD) | $28.9 trillion(winner) | $17.9 trillion |
| PPP-Adjusted GDP 2026(USD trillion) | $28.7 trillion | $33.8 trillion(winner) |
| Per Capita GDP(USD) | $89,000+(winner) | $~12,000-13,000 |
| GDP Per Capita (2024)(USD) | $86,173 | — |
| GDP Per Capita(USD) | $76,398(winner) | $12,700 |
| GDP Per Capita (Nominal)(USD) | $87,500(winner) | $12,700 |
| Per Capita GDP (PPP)(USD) | $23,800 | — |
Show 1 more attributeIncome Per Capita (PPP)(USD) $23,500 — | ||
| Global EV Production Share(%) | ~15% | 70%(winner) |
| Global Manufacturing Output(%) | ~18% | 35% of global output(winner) |
| Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%) | Global leader (Intel, NVIDIA, TSMC partners) | Limited by export controls |
| Solar Panel Global Production(%) | 5-10% | 80%+(winner) |
| Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk) | Lower exposure (potential beneficiary) | $400-800 billion potential loss |
| Potential Tariff/Sanction Impact on GDP(USD Billions) | Minimal direct impact | — |
| Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent) | 2.0-2.2% | 4.6-4.8%(winner) |
| Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%) | 2.0-2.5% | 4.6-4.8%(winner) |
| Annual GDP Growth Rate(percent) | 2.1% | 5.0%(winner) |
| Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%) | 10% | 80%+(winner) |
| LFP Battery Global Production Share(%) | <5% | 94%(winner) |
| Manufacturing Share of Global Output(percent) | 16% | 28%(winner) |
| Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction) | Potential +0.5% from policy | -0.5 to -2.0%(winner) |
| AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP) | 0.5%+ (estimated)(winner) | 0.2-0.3% |
| Internet Users(millions) | 312 million | 926 million |
| Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent) | 40% (global EV sales) | — |
| Annual Tech Sector Revenue(USD billion) | $850 billion | — |
| Global EV Production Market Share(percent) | 20% | 70%(winner) |
| Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%) | Minimal (<5%) | 94%(winner) |
| Global Manufacturing Output Share(percent) | 12% | 28%(winner) |
| Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion) | Minimal exposure | -0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction) |
| GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD) | $76,398(winner) | $13,738 |
| GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) 2026(trillion USD) | $26.9 trillion | $35.2 trillion(winner) |
| Nominal GDP (2024)(USD trillion) | $27.4 trillion(winner) | $17.9 trillion |
| Total GDP(trillion USD) | $27.4 trillion(winner) | $20.6 trillion |
| Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion) | $17.9 | — |
| Total GDP (Nominal)(USD Trillion) | $17.9 trillion | — |
| Global GDP Ranking(rank) | 2nd | — |
| Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD) | $3,981 (2022)(winner) | $467 (2023) |
| Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD) | $11,109.2 billion | $6,177.1 billion(winner) |
| Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD) | $925.8 billion | $296.5 billion(winner) |
| Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD) | $2,174.6 billion | $1,272.4 billion(winner) |
| Population (Approximate 2024)(billion) | 0.34 billion | 1.4 billion |
| Population(millions) | 0.339 billion | 1,425 million |
| Total Population(millions) | 1.42 billion | — |
| Population Growth Rate(%) | -0.1% | — |
| Median Age(years) | 39 years | — |
| Renewable Energy (% of electricity)(percent) | 21% | — |
| Renewable Energy Capacity(Gigawatts) | 1,576 GW | — |
| GDP Growth Rate(% annually) | 2.0% (Q1 2026) | 4.6-4.8%(winner) |
| Real GDP growth (2026, YoY) | 4.4% | — |
| Real GDP growth (2024) | 5.0% | — |
| Real GDP growth (2025) | 4.7% | — |
| IMF avg growth (2026–2030) | 3.7% | — |
Show 2 more attributesCumulative real GDP growth (2022–2026) 24.4% — Projected 2030 nominal GDP ~$25.5T — | ||
| Per Capita GDP 2026(USD) | $96,500 | — |
| Global Economic Rank(rank) | 1st largest | — |
| Global GDP Market Share(percent) | 26%(winner) | 16% (nominal) |
| GDP Gap vs Leader(USD trillions) | Reference (leader) | — |
| Years to Close GDP Gap (at current growth rates)(years (projection)) | N/A (declining relative position) | — |
| Manufacturing Output as % of Global(% of world) | ~15% | — |
| Global Solar Panel Production(%) | ~5% | — |
| LFP Battery Production Share(%) | ~3% | — |
| Semiconductor/AI Design Leadership(Market Position) | Global leader in chip design | — |
| Nominal GDP(trillion USD) | $27.9 trillion(winner) | $17.9 trillion |
| R&D Spending as % of GDP(percent) | 3.5%(winner) | 2.1% |
| Patent Filings Per Year(thousands) | 1,574,822 | — |
| Annual Patent Filings(thousands) | 1.57 million | — |
| Unicorn Tech Companies(Count) | 305 | — |
| R&D Spending(USD billion) | 2.6% | — |
| Fortune 500 Companies(Count) | 346 companies(winner) | 124 companies |
| Manufacturing Sector Output(USD trillion) | $2.1 trillion | $4.7 trillion(winner) |
| Services Sector Share(percent of GDP) | 80% | 55% |
| Manufacturing as % of GDP(Percent) | 28% | — |
| National Debt Level(USD trillion) | $36 trillion | $13.5 trillion(winner) |
| National Debt as % of GDP(percent) | 119% | 74%(winner) |
| Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio(%) | 77% | — |
| Annual Real GDP Growth Rate (2025-2026)(percent) | 2.1% | 4.8%(winner) |
| Technology Sector as % of GDP(percent) | 13.8%(winner) | 8.2% |
| Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2025)(billion USD) | $285 billion(winner) | $192 billion |
| Active Military Personnel(millions) | 2,300 thousand | — |
| Foreign Exchange Reserves(trillion USD) | $3.2 trillion | — |
| Government Type | One-party communist state | — |
| Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better)) | 88 (not free) | — |
| Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion) | €296.5 billion | — |
| Education Spending Per Capita(EUR) | €467 | — |
| Government Health Expenditure(USD Million) | $620,062.8M | — |
| Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP) | 1.03% | — |
| Life Expectancy at Birth(years) | 78.2 years | — |
| Human Development Index(0-1 scale) | 0.796 (Very High) | — |
| Urban Population(Percent) | 65.5% | — |
| Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2024)(USD Billion) | $163 billion | — |
| High-Speed Rail Network(kilometers) | 45,000 km | — |
| Manufacturing Output (Global Share)(Percent) | 28-30% | — |
| Manufacturing Output Share(% of global) | 28% | — |
| Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2023)(USD Billion) | $163.1 billion | — |
| Foreign Direct Investment Inflow(billion USD annually) | $163 billion | — |
| Debt-to-GDP Ratio(percent) | 282% | — |
| Global Trade Rank(Position) | #2 globally | — |
| Semiconductor Market Share(Percentage) | 12% (design & manufacturing) | — |
| Foreign Direct Investment (Annual)(billion USD) | $163 billion (2024) | — |
| PPP GDP (2026, intl. $) | $43.5T | — |
| Nominal GDP world rank | #2 | — |
| PPP GDP world rank | #1 | — |
| Per-capita nominal GDP | $14,800 | — |
| Per-capita PPP GDP | $30,900 | — |
| Services share of GDP | ~55% | — |
| Industry share of GDP | ~38% | — |
| Agriculture share of GDP | ~7% | — |
| Economy type | World's factory (services rising) | — |
| Manufacturing scale | Largest — ~29% of global value-added | — |
| Share of world nominal GDP (2026) | ~18% | — |
| Share of world PPP GDP (2026) | ~22% | — |
| Years to Double GDP at Current Growth Rate(years) | 14.6 years | — |
| Real GDP Growth Rate(% annually) | 4.5% | — |
| Unemployment Rate(percent) | 5.1% | — |
| Manufacturing Output(USD trillion) | 27% | — |
| Merchandise Exports(USD Billion) | $1,830 billion | — |
| Broadband Penetration(% of population) | 73% | — |
United StatesChinaGDP(USD trillions)
$25.5 Trillion
$17.7 Trillion
National Debt (% of GDP)(percent)
122.27%
—
Government Expenditure (% of GDP)(percent)
50.50%
—
GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)
$17.9 trillion
—
Projected GDP Growth Rate(%)
4.3%
—
Show 1 more attribute
Gross Domestic Product(USD trillion)
$17.9 trillion
—
Military Budget(USD)
$877 Billion
$292 Billion
Nuclear Warheads
5,550
—
Military Rank (Global)(rank)
Rank 1 (global superpower)
—
Main Battle Tanks(count)
5,800
—
Life Expectancy(years)
76.4 years
78.5 years
Land Area(km²)
9.8 Million
—
Total Land Area(million km²)
3,794,100 sq mi
—
Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD)
$30+ trillion
$33-34 trillion
Nominal GDP 2026(trillion USD)
$28.9 trillion
$17.9 trillion
PPP-Adjusted GDP 2026(USD trillion)
$28.7 trillion
$33.8 trillion
Per Capita GDP(USD)
$89,000+
$~12,000-13,000
GDP Per Capita (2024)(USD)
$86,173
—
GDP Per Capita(USD)
$76,398
$12,700
GDP Per Capita (Nominal)(USD)
$87,500
$12,700
Per Capita GDP (PPP)(USD)
$23,800
—
Show 1 more attribute
Income Per Capita (PPP)(USD)
$23,500
—
Global EV Production Share(%)
~15%
70%
Global Manufacturing Output(%)
~18%
35% of global output
Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%)
Global leader (Intel, NVIDIA, TSMC partners)
Limited by export controls
Solar Panel Global Production(%)
5-10%
80%+
Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk)
Lower exposure (potential beneficiary)
$400-800 billion potential loss
Potential Tariff/Sanction Impact on GDP(USD Billions)
Minimal direct impact
—
Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)
2.0-2.2%
4.6-4.8%
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)
2.0-2.5%
4.6-4.8%
Annual GDP Growth Rate(percent)
2.1%
5.0%
Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)
10%
80%+
LFP Battery Global Production Share(%)
<5%
94%
Manufacturing Share of Global Output(percent)
16%
28%
Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)
Potential +0.5% from policy
-0.5 to -2.0%
AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)
0.5%+ (estimated)
0.2-0.3%
Internet Users(millions)
312 million
926 million
Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)
40% (global EV sales)
—
Annual Tech Sector Revenue(USD billion)
$850 billion
—
Global EV Production Market Share(percent)
20%
70%
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)
Minimal (<5%)
94%
Global Manufacturing Output Share(percent)
12%
28%
Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion)
Minimal exposure
-0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)
GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)
$76,398
$13,738
GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) 2026(trillion USD)
$26.9 trillion
$35.2 trillion
Nominal GDP (2024)(USD trillion)
$27.4 trillion
$17.9 trillion
Total GDP(trillion USD)
$27.4 trillion
$20.6 trillion
Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)
$17.9
—
Total GDP (Nominal)(USD Trillion)
$17.9 trillion
—
Global GDP Ranking(rank)
2nd
—
Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)
$3,981 (2022)
$467 (2023)
Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)
$11,109.2 billion
$6,177.1 billion
Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)
$925.8 billion
$296.5 billion
Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)
$2,174.6 billion
$1,272.4 billion
Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)
0.34 billion
1.4 billion
Population(millions)
0.339 billion
1,425 million
Total Population(millions)
1.42 billion
—
Population Growth Rate(%)
-0.1%
—
Median Age(years)
39 years
—
Renewable Energy (% of electricity)(percent)
21%
—
Renewable Energy Capacity(Gigawatts)
1,576 GW
—
GDP Growth Rate(% annually)
2.0% (Q1 2026)
4.6-4.8%
Real GDP growth (2026, YoY)
4.4%
—
Real GDP growth (2024)
5.0%
—
Real GDP growth (2025)
4.7%
—
IMF avg growth (2026–2030)
3.7%
—
Show 2 more attributes
Cumulative real GDP growth (2022–2026)
24.4%
—
Projected 2030 nominal GDP
~$25.5T
—
Per Capita GDP 2026(USD)
$96,500
—
Global Economic Rank(rank)
1st largest
—
Global GDP Market Share(percent)
26%
16% (nominal)
GDP Gap vs Leader(USD trillions)
Reference (leader)
—
Years to Close GDP Gap (at current growth rates)(years (projection))
N/A (declining relative position)
—
Manufacturing Output as % of Global(% of world)
~15%
—
Global Solar Panel Production(%)
~5%
—
LFP Battery Production Share(%)
~3%
—
Semiconductor/AI Design Leadership(Market Position)
Global leader in chip design
—
Nominal GDP(trillion USD)
$27.9 trillion
$17.9 trillion
R&D Spending as % of GDP(percent)
3.5%
2.1%
Patent Filings Per Year(thousands)
1,574,822
—
Annual Patent Filings(thousands)
1.57 million
—
Unicorn Tech Companies(Count)
305
—
R&D Spending(USD billion)
2.6%
—
Fortune 500 Companies(Count)
346 companies
124 companies
Manufacturing Sector Output(USD trillion)
$2.1 trillion
$4.7 trillion
Services Sector Share(percent of GDP)
80%
55%
Manufacturing as % of GDP(Percent)
28%
—
National Debt Level(USD trillion)
$36 trillion
$13.5 trillion
National Debt as % of GDP(percent)
119%
74%
Government Debt-to-GDP Ratio(%)
77%
—
Annual Real GDP Growth Rate (2025-2026)(percent)
2.1%
4.8%
Technology Sector as % of GDP(percent)
13.8%
8.2%
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows (2025)(billion USD)
$285 billion
$192 billion
Active Military Personnel(millions)
2,300 thousand
—
Foreign Exchange Reserves(trillion USD)
$3.2 trillion
—
Government Type
One-party communist state
—
Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))
88 (not free)
—
Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)
€296.5 billion
—
Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)
€467
—
Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)
$620,062.8M
—
Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)
1.03%
—
Life Expectancy at Birth(years)
78.2 years
—
Human Development Index(0-1 scale)
0.796 (Very High)
—
Urban Population(Percent)
65.5%
—
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2024)(USD Billion)
$163 billion
—
High-Speed Rail Network(kilometers)
45,000 km
—
Manufacturing Output (Global Share)(Percent)
28-30%
—
Manufacturing Output Share(% of global)
28%
—
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow (2023)(USD Billion)
$163.1 billion
—
Foreign Direct Investment Inflow(billion USD annually)
$163 billion
—
Debt-to-GDP Ratio(percent)
282%
—
Global Trade Rank(Position)
#2 globally
—
Semiconductor Market Share(Percentage)
12% (design & manufacturing)
—
Foreign Direct Investment (Annual)(billion USD)
$163 billion (2024)
—
PPP GDP (2026, intl. $)
$43.5T
—
Nominal GDP world rank
#2
—
PPP GDP world rank
#1
—
Per-capita nominal GDP
$14,800
—
Per-capita PPP GDP
$30,900
—
Services share of GDP
~55%
—
Industry share of GDP
~38%
—
Agriculture share of GDP
~7%
—
Economy type
World's factory (services rising)
—
Manufacturing scale
Largest — ~29% of global value-added
—
Share of world nominal GDP (2026)
~18%
—
Share of world PPP GDP (2026)
~22%
—
Years to Double GDP at Current Growth Rate(years)
14.6 years
—
Real GDP Growth Rate(% annually)
4.5%
—
Unemployment Rate(percent)
5.1%
—
Manufacturing Output(USD trillion)
27%
—
Merchandise Exports(USD Billion)
$1,830 billion
—
Broadband Penetration(% of population)
73%
—
Pros & Cons
8 pros·6 cons across both
United States
+4-3
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
+4-3
Pros
- 1.4 billion population
- Manufacturing superpower
- Rapid infrastructure growth
- Growing tech sector
Cons
- Lower GDP per capita
- Environmental challenges
- Human rights concerns
Frequently Asked Questions
3 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.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Wikipedia
- W
United States on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Federal republic spanning North America with 345 million people, world's largest economy at $28.7 trillion, and diverse geography from coasts to mountains.
- W
China on Wikipedia (opens in new tab)
Upper-middle-income country with world's 2nd-largest economy and dominant manufacturing base.
- W
China–United States relations (opens in new tab)
The relationship and history between these two
Related Articles
Related Comparisons
12 more to explore
United States vs China GDP Per Capita 2026
economyChina vs United States
countriesUS vs China GDP 2026
economyChina vs United States GDP Comparison 2026
economyChina vs Taiwan
countriesJapan vs China
countriesUS Military vs China Military
US Economy vs China Economy
Japan vs China Economic Comparison 2026
economyChina vs United States Nominal GDP 2026
economyGermany vs USA
countriesChina vs United States GDP Nominal 2026
economy
Explore More
Related comparisons and categories
Explore Entities
More Countries
Human reviewed