top 10 richest country in the world 2020

Ranking the Richest Countries

in the World

This list is based on the

IMF's World Economic Outlook Database, October 2019

• Nominal GDP = Gross domestic product, current prices, U.S. dollars .

• GDP based on PPP = Gross domestic product, current prices, purchasing power parity, international dollars.

• Gross domestic product per capita, current prices, U.S. dollars.

• Gross domestic product based on purchasing-power-parity (PPP) share of world total, percent .

#1. United States AMERICA

U.S. Nominal GDP: $21.44 trillion - U.S. GDP (PPP): $21.44 trillion

The U.S. has retained its position of being the world's largest economy since 1871. The size of the U.S. economy was at $20.58 trillion in 2018 in nominal terms and is expected to reach $22.32 trillion in 2020. The U.S. is often dubbed as an economic superpower and that's because the economy constitutes almost a quarter of the global economy, backed by advanced infrastructure, technology, and an abundance of natural resources.

#2. China

China Nominal GDP: $14.14 trillion - China GDP (PPP): $27.31 trillion

China has experienced exponential growth over the past few decades, breaking the barriers of a centrally-planned closed economy to evolve into a manufacturing and exporting hub of the world. China is often referred to as the "world's factory," given its huge manufacturing and export base. However, over the years, the role of services has gradually increased and that of manufacturing as a contributor to GDP has declined relatively. Back in 1980, China was the seventh-largest economy, with a GDP of $305.35 billion, while the size of the U.S. then was $2.86 trillion.

#3. Japan

Japan Nominal GDP: $5.15 trillion- Japan GDP (PPP): $5.75 trillion

Japan is the third-largest economy in the world, with its GDP crossing the $5 trillion mark in 2019. The financial crisis of 2008 rocked the Japanese economy and it's been a challenging time for its economy since then. The global crisis triggered a recession, followed by weak domestic demand and huge public debt. When the economy was beginning to recover, it suffered a massive earthquake that hit the country socially and economically. While the economy has broken the deflationary spiral, economic growth remains muted. 

#4. Germany

Germany Nominal GDP: $3.86 trillion - Germany GDP (PPP): $4.44 trillion

Germany is not just Europe's largest economy but also the strongest. On the global scale, it is the fourth-largest economy in terms of nominal GDP, with a $4 trillion GDP. The size of its GDP in terms of purchasing power parity is $4.44 trillion, while its GDP per capita is $46,560 (18th place). Germany was the third-largest economy in nominal terms in 1980, with a GDP of $850.47 billion.

#5. India

India Nominal GDP: $2.94 trillion-India GDP (PPP): $10.51 trillion

India is the fastest-growing trillion-dollar economy in the world and the fifth-largest overall, with a nominal GDP of $2.94 trillion. India has become the fifth-largest economy in 2019, overtaking the United Kingdom and France. The country ranks third when GDP is compared in terms of purchasing power parity at $11.33 trillion. When it comes to calculating GDP per capita, India's high population drags its nominal GDP per capita down to $2,170. The Indian economy was just $189.438 billion in 1980, ranking 13th on the list globally. India's growth rate is expected to rise from 7.3% in 2018 to 7.5% in 2019 as drags from the currency exchange initiative and the introduction of the goods and services tax fade, according to the IMF.

#6. United Kingdom

U.K. Nominal GDP: $2.83 trillion - U.K. GDP (PPP): $3.04 trillion

The United Kingdom, with a $2.83 trillion GDP is the sixth largest economy in the world. When compared in terms of GDP purchasing-power-parity, U.K. slips to the ninth spot with a GDP-PPP of $3.04 trillion. It ranks 23rd in terms of GDP per capita, which is $42,558. Its nominal GDP is estimated to remain at $2.83 trillion during 2019, but its ranking is expected to slide to the seventh spot by 2023 with its GDP of $3.27 trillion.

#7. France

France Nominal GDP: $2.71 trillion - France GDP (PPP): $2.96 trillion

France, the most-visited country in the world, is the third-largest economy of Europe and the sixth-largest in the world, with a nominal GDP of $2.78 trillion. Its GDP in terms of purchasing power parity is around $2.96 trillion. The country offers a high standard of living to its people as reflected in its GDP per capita of $42,877.56. In recent years, the economic growth has slowed, resulting in unemployment that has placed immense pressure on the government to reboot the economy. The World Bank has recorded unemployment rates at 10% during 2014, 2015, and 2016. During 2017, it declined to 9.681%.

#8. Italy

Italy Nominal GDP: $1.99 trillion - Italy GDP (PPP): $2.40 trillion

With a nominal GDP of $2.07 trillion, Italy is the world’s eighth-largest economy. Its economy is expected to expand to $2.26 trillion by 2023. In terms of GDP (PPP), its economy is worth $2.40 trillion and it has a per capita GDP of $34,260.34. Italy—a prominent member of the eurozone—has been facing deep political and economic chaos. Its unemployment rate continues to be in double-digits, while its public debt remains sticky at around 132% of GDP.

#9. Brazil

Brazil Nominal GDP: $1.85 trillion - Brazil GDP (PPP): $3.37 trillion

Brazil is the largest and most populous nation in Latin America. With a nominal GDP of $1.87 trillion, Brazil is the ninth-largest economy in the world. The nation that had been riding on the commodity wave suffered multiple setbacks with the end of the commodity supercycle, in addition to internal problems of corruption and political uncertainty, which dampened the investment and business environment. 

#10. Canada

Canada Nominal GDP: $1.73 trillion - Canada GDP (PPP): $1.84 trillion

Canada displaced Russia to take the 10th spot in 2015 and has retained its position since then. Canada's nominal GDP is currently at $1.71 trillion and is expected to touch $1.74 trillion in 2019 and $2.13 trillion by 2023. Its per capita GDP of $46,260.71 is ranked 20th globally, while its GDP of $1.84 trillion in terms of PPP pulls it down to the 17th spot.