Finding out which countries are the richest in the world can be a tough decision, as it requires a combination of many factors to consider. While measuring, many reports use GDP, GNI, and PPP. However, what do they mean exactly, and how do they reveal the largest economies in the world? In this article, we will break down the key measurement tools and the top 10 richest countries in the world in detail. So, shall we begin?
What to Discover in This Guide?
Key Factors for Measuring the Wealth of a Country
In general, countries ranked as the richest are determined by gathering together a few important data. Below, you will find each criterion that is essential for a country to be considered the richest.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
In simple terms, GDP or Gross Domestic Product refers to the total value of all goods or financial services produced in a country within a specific time period. Therefore, it is used as a tool for measuring the wealth of a country, as it indicates the total market value and reveals signals if the economy is expanding or contracting. Additionally, it is used to estimate the impact of a specific country on the global economy.
There are two types of it: nominal and real GDP. In nominal GDP, only market prices are measured, while real GDP reveals the effect of inflation too, to provide more accurate estimates of economic growth.
Based on Wordometer’s data, the US stands out with $80,706, making it the richest country per GDP in the world. Following the US, the richest countries per GDP are China, Germany, Japan, India, and the UK, respectively.
Gross National Income (GNI) per Capita
Gross National Income or GNI accounts for the total income of a country’s residents for each year. It is calculated by adding the GDP, any net income abroad, and taxes on production. To calculate the GNI per capita, you need to divide the total GNI by the total population.
By doing this, you can easily understand the average income per person for each country. If it is higher, it means the life standards are high. If it is low, it signals poor living conditions. Thus, it becomes an indicator of economic performance.
Accordingly, in 2023, Norway is the richest country per GNI, with a $102,460. After Norway, the rest of the list goes as Switzerland, Luxembourg, Ireland, the US, Iceland, Denmark, Singapore, Australia, and Sweden.
Human Development Index (HDI)
Unlike other measurement tools, the human development index, or HDI, does not just rely on income or economic growth. Rather than this, it focuses on life expectancy, education, and GNI data. Here, by means of education, it states the mean years of schooling for adults and the expected years of schooling for children.
By taking these human-driven data into account, it shifted the general understanding of the economic growth of a country by focusing on human well-being. Following this understanding, in 2023, World Population Review revealed that the United States is the richest country by HDI with a 0.938 index. Following the US, we see these countries:
- Russia – 0.832
- Japan – 0.925
- Turkey – 0.853
- Germany – 0.959
- The UK – 0.946
- France – 0.920
- Italy – 0.915
- South Korea – 0.937
Changing Wealth of Nations (CWON)
Changing Wealth of Nations, briefly CWON, is a term developed by The World Bank to comprehensively measure the wealth of countries. Compared to GDP, which is limited to testing human well-being while measuring economic growth and wealth, this data combines people’s knowledge and skills, produced income, natural capital, and net foreign assets.
By bringing data together, CWON aims to assess the long-term viability of economic growth and development by tracking changes in key assets over time. According to The World Bank’s 2024 report, the following countries rank as the richest countries by CWON:
- China
- United States
- Japan
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- India
- France
- Canada
- Brazil
- Italy
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP)
Purchasing Power Parity, also known as PPP, is an economic method used to compare the currency exchange rates and the cost of living between countries. Basically, it compares what the same amount of money can buy in different countries by using a common basket of goods and services.
If the same item costs more in one country than another, PPP suggests that the currency in the more expensive country is overvalued, or that the other country’s currency is undervalued. For instance, a meal costs $5 in the US and the equivalent of $3 in India. In this circumstance, the PPP suggests the Indian rupee may be undervalued.
According to World Population Review in 2023, the richest country in the world by PPP is Iran with $91,081 PPP. The list continues:
- Iran
- Somalia
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- Laos
Gross National Happiness (GNH)
The world’s richest countries are also determined by Gross National Happiness (GNH), which is a development philosophy that measures the well-being and happiness of a population. Compared to GDP, which mostly focuses on economic output, it focuses on the quality of life.
It uses nine domains, including psychological well-being, health, education, time use, cultural diversity, community vitality, good governance, ecological diversity, and living standards. By doing so, it highlights that steady growth should be about the happiness and well-being of a nation, not having the world’s largest economy.
Happy Planet Index
Created by New Economics Foundation in 2006, the Happy Planet Index measures how effectively countries deliver long, happy lives for their citizens while minimizing their environmental impact. Accordingly, it combines three main factors: well-being, life expectancy, and ecological footprint.
Unlike traditional measurement tools, HPI underlines that wealth does not always equal happiness or sustainability. Proving this, Vanuatu ranks at the top of the Happy Planet Index, while its GDP per capita is only $3,461, showing how low its total output is. In contrast, the United Arab Emirates boasts a much higher GDP per capita of $76,110 but scores just 26.4 on the Index.
The World Wealth Map for 2025 – GDP Growth
Considering the main factors we mentioned above, it is time for us to give you a clear picture of the world’s map of the richest countries in 2025.
The map above highlights each region’s wealthiest countries. We see Luxembourg ranks as the richest country in Europe with a $137,516.6 GDP per capita. Following Luxembourg, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Australia stand out with their GDP growth.
In East Asia and the Pacific, we witness Singapore at the top of the list with around $90,674.1 GDP per capita, followed by China, Australia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand. In the Middle East, Qatar surprisingly pops up as the wealthiest country with $128,000 GDP.
When we look at the American continent, the US stands at the top of the richest countries with $89,678 GDP per capita. Then come Guyana, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Panama, respectively. Furthermore, South Africa places itself as the richest country in Africa. It is followed by Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Morocco. On the other hand, the poorest countries include Burundi, South Sudan, Malawi, and Yemen, with a GDP per capita that is lower than $500 according to the IMF in 2025.
The Richest Countries in the World in 2025, GDP per Capita
Wondering what the top 10 richest countries in the world are? It’s time to learn them in detail.
1. Luxembourg
- GDP per Capita: $141,080
- Population: 677,717
The International Monetary Fund states that Luxembourg is the richest country in terms of GDP per capita in 2025, with $141,080 total output. The country stands out as the global financial center thanks to its diversified economy. The most outstanding ones include finance, steel, logistics, IT, space technology, and banking sectors.
As a part of the European Union, Luxembourg is located at the heart of Europe. Thanks to this, it provides a strategic location, especially after Brexit, opening a gateway to many European countries through means of transportation for establishing company headquarters. It also offers a favorable business environment due to its transparent and open economy.
Placing itself as one of the Golden Visa countries, Luxembourg offers a 3-year residency by investment via €500,000 minimum investment of €500,000 to draw foreign capital. To qualify for the Luxembourg Golden Visa, investors must be non-EU citizens, have a clean criminal record, and provide proof of health insurance coverage.
2. Singapore
- GDP per Capita: $93,956
- Population: 6.037 million
Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore ranks as the second-highest GDP per capita in 2025, based on the International Monetary Fund. The country owes its wealth to its strategic economic planning.
Mainly, it focuses on attracting foreign investment to the country. Following this approach, it provides investors with an attractive permanent residency program for high-net-worth individuals. To qualify for the Singapore Global Investment Program, investors must make a minimum investment of SGD 10 million. Additionally, it provides a path to citizenship after 2 years of permanent residence.
The country also stands out as being one of the countries that prioritizes digitalization, which accounts for 17% of its GDP. The government has initiated various programs, such as the Smart Nation initiative, to accelerate technological innovation and integrate digital solutions across industries.
3. United States
- GDP per Capita: $89,678
- Population: 340.1 million
In terms of GDP per capita, the United States has had the world’s largest economy since 1890. In 2025, it collected $89,678 GDP per capita according to the International Monetary Fund. Of course, this is not a coincidence. The country owns this reputation due to its economic stability and productive economy.
When it comes to natural resources, it has petroleum and gas reserves, which contributed $257 billion in 2023 to the GDP. On the other hand, thanks to its diversified economy, the country is a hub for high-tech industries, financial services, insurance, and real estate sectors.
One of the most significant highlights of the USA is its supportive attitude towards entrepreneurs. They encourage their citizens and residents to innovate and start businesses. Accordingly, in 2025, the US Department of the Treasury revealed that around 430,000 new business applications had been made in a month, highlighting the central role of small businesses in the US economy.
To draw foreign investment, the US offers investors an opportunity to apply for a Treaty Investor Visa, E-2 Visa. If you are not a citizen or resident of this country, you can apply for this program. To be eligible, you must be a citizen of the E-2 Visa treaty countries and make a significant amount of money in a real existing business in the US.
4. Qatar
- GDP per Capita: $72,760
- Population: 82.858 million
As one of the richest countries per capita in the world, Qatar has adopted a diversified economy. However, the country’s wealth is mostly dependent on its hydrocarbon resources, which are the main source of revenue and exports as a leading supplier of LNG. According to the US Energy Information Administration’s data in 2021, income from hydrocarbon resources made up 81% of total output, generating $77 billion.
Apart from its natural gas reserves, Qatar diversifies its economy into other sectors such as finance, tourism, and information and communication technology. By doing so, it aims to reduce its dependence on hydrocarbon resources. Thus, it can manage to build a more resilient and future-oriented economy.
To support this strategy and attract global investors, Qatar introduced a residency-by-investment program in 2020. To qualify, investors must purchase a property with a minimum investment amount of $200,000 for temporary residence, while $1 million for permanent residency. Once granted, investors should spend at least 90 days per year in Qatar.
5. Germany
- GDP per Capita: $57,914
- Population: 83.51 million
As one of the best places to live in Europe, Germany has Europe’s largest economy and the fourth-largest in the world. In 2023, its nominal GDP reached $4.5 trillion. In line with this, it offers its citizens and residents high living standards, a stable labor market, and many social benefits.
Thanks to its key industries in a diversified economy, Germany has prioritized sectors like industry, services, and technology. However, it is mostly known for having the largest manufacturing economy. In 2024 alone, the manufacturing sector contributed 19.7% of GDP and generated €2.9 trillion.
With a GDP per capita of about $54,000 in 2023, Germany ranks among the world’s wealthiest nations in terms of average income. Plus, it offers high-quality healthcare, education, and infrastructure. This makes it an attractive place for expats. Although the country does not provide any Golden Visa, investors can get residency through Germany Investment Visa by starting a qualifying business.
6. Hong Kong
- GDP per Capita: $55,608
- Population: 7.524 million
Hong Kong has one of the most dynamic economies in Asia. In 2023, its nominal GDP was around $380 billion, with a per capita GDP of around $55,608. However, these are not just numbers; they highlight how the country plays a significant role in international trade.
When we look at its economy, we see that Hong Kong is mostly a service-oriented economy, which accounts for 16.2% of its GDP according to the Federation of Hong Kong Industries’ press release in 2025. Apart from this, the other highlighted sectors include banking and finance, trading and logistics, tourism, and professional services.
Looking ahead, Hong Kong aims to maintain steady growth through economic diversification and innovation. Combined with its favorable business environment, it is also an attractive destination for investors and expatriates seeking both economic opportunity and a high standard of living. For this reason, it offers residency through investment under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) and the New CIES by making a qualifying investment.
7. United Kingdom
- GDP per Capita: $54,280
- Population: 69.23 million
With a 69.23 million GDP per capita, the United Kingdom has taken its place among the richest countries in the world. Accordingly, most of its wealth comes from the services sector, accounting for 80% of its total economic activity. Following the services sector, the manufacturing and construction sectors come with a 16%.
Despite global uncertainties and domestic challenges, such as Brexit-related trade adjustments, the UK economy continues to grow at a modest pace. Proving this claim, in early 2025, it showed quarterly growth ranged between 0.3% and 0.7%.
Despite these challenges, it remains an attractive destination for investors and businesses due to its strong financial sector, legal framework, and access to international markets. The UK also provides an Innovator Founder Visa for those entrepreneurs aiming to establish or run a business in the UK.
8. United Arab Emirates
- GDP per Capita: $51,294
- Population: 10.88 million
The UAE stands out as one of the richest countries in the Middle East in terms of GDP, according to the International Monetary Fund’s latest data in 2025. With a total GDP value of $51,294, the country stands out with its economic diversification strategy into areas including gas and oil, tourism, trade, finance, and technology.
Among these, it owes its wealth to gas and oil production. According to the International Trade Administration’s explanations, around 30% of the GDP of the UAE depends on gas and oil production, while 13% of it comes from total exports.
The United Arab Emirates also pops up as a strategic location for businesses with its free zones and low tax rates. It does not impose any income tax on people’s salaries, pensions, investment incomes, or other possible earnings. The corporate tax is 9% for all businesses with taxable profits that exceed AED 375,000 annually. Plus, there are favorable tax incentives for small businesses.
To attract foreign investment, the country provides UAE Golden Visa to investors starting from a minimum property purchase of $204,000 for a 2-year residency, $545,000 for a 10-year residency. If you are looking for residency options in the UAE as an entrepreneur or investor.
9. Italy
- GDP per Capita: $41,714
- 58.99 million
With a nominal GDP of around $2.37 trillion and a GDP per capita of about $40,000, Italy has ranked among the top 10 richest countries in the world. Thanks to its diverse economic base, it focuses on manufacturing, fashion, automotive, and tourism sectors.
However, Italy faces notable structural challenges. Public debt remains high at over 135% of GDP, according to Scoope Ratings in 2025. Similarly, productivity growth has been relatively low compared to other European nations. Additionally, youth unemployment is still a major concern at about 20%, and the low birth rate combined with an aging population adds an extra burden to its social and economic systems.
Despite these challenges, Italy’s economy shows signs of stability and potential. To draw more capital, it provides investors with residency by making a qualifying investment through Italy Golden Visa program. To be eligible, investors must invest a minimum $250,000 in start-ups or a minimum of €500,000 in an Italian limited company.
10. Japan
- GDP per Capita: $35,611
- Population: 124 million
With a $35,611 GDP per Capita, Japan is among the wealthiest countries in the world. In 2025, its GDP per capita was around $35,611, which shows a sign of its recovery after decades of stagnation. Mostly, its economy depends on manufacturing, especially for high-tech goods. However, it faces, from time to time, debt due to its being dependent on imports for natural resources. Plus, the population of Japan is aging, signalling a shrinking workforce.
Moreover, Japan’s diversified economy relies heavily on exports, particularly in automotive, electronics, and machinery. But it can be affected by political factors. For instance, the US tariff policies changed Japan’s exports in 2025. Accordingly, in August 2025, Japan had a trade deficit of 242.5 billion yen ($1.66 billion).
Seeing these challenges, Japan makes economic reforms to encourage people to make investments rather than consume. Aiming to put this into practice, we can see that it attracts many expats via its Investor/Manager Visa. If you are a foreigner and want to start or manage a business in Japan, you must invest at least ¥5 million ($34,000), secure a physical office, and usually employ at least two full-time staff. The visa is granted for 1, 3, or 5 years and can be renewed based on business performance.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Wealthiest Countries in the World
Is China or the USA richer?
When we compare the two countries’ wealth, it can be said that the USA is richer in terms of GDP per capita. On the other hand, China’s total economy is large and growing fast, but its wealth is spread over a much bigger population.
Which country has the most billionaires?
As of 2025, most of the billionaires live in the United States, with a total number of 902. Following the US, China, India, Germany, and Russia stand out with many of these billionaires, mainly in technology, finance, and real estate.
What is the richest state?
Massachusetts is currently the richest US state by median household income. In contrast, Mississippi is the poorest state, with the lowest median household income.
What country has the most debt?
The United States has the highest national debt in the world, both in total amount and relative to its economy, followed by Japan and Sudan.
What is the richest continent in the world?
Asia has the largest economy, with a total GDP of $41.4 trillion, making up 36.4% of the world’s GDP. The biggest contributors are China and India. Following Asia, North America comes with the US, generating 31.0% of the world’s GDP.
What are the Current International Dollars?
Current International Dollars are a way to compare the purchasing power of different countries’ currencies. Economists use it for more accurate comparisons of economic output and living standards across countries.
