The world's richest nations are no longer as surprising as they were 20 years ago. They are the countries that are often considered global financial centers and attract numerous companies with low tax rates. This money, combined with small populations, generates large per capita revenues that the vast majority of countries can never match.
Our ranking shows the 50 wealthiest countries, measured by gross domestic product per capita and adjusted by the purchasing power in the respective country.
The USA is the only country with a large surface area and population among the highest-ranking nations, ranking tenth. The richest country in the world is Luxembourg.
GDP per capita (PPP) by Country
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Ranking of the 50 richest countries
| Rank | Country/Region | GDP per capita (USD, PPP) | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luxembourg (Europe & Central Asia) | 150,772 intl$ | - |
| 2 | Singapore (East Asia & Pacific) | 150,689 intl$ | Compare |
| 3 | Ireland (Europe & Central Asia) | 131,175 intl$ | Compare |
| 4 | Macao SAR, China (East Asia & Pacific) | 128,268 intl$ | Compare |
| 5 | Qatar (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan) | 126,110 intl$ | Compare |
| 6 | Bermuda * (North America) | 119,719 intl$ | Compare |
| 7 | Norway (Europe & Central Asia) | 101,032 intl$ | Compare |
| 8 | Switzerland (Europe & Central Asia) | 93,819 intl$ | Compare |
| 9 | Brunei Darussalam (East Asia & Pacific) | 90,007 intl$ | Compare |
| 10 | Cayman Islands (Latin America & Caribbean ) | 86,689 intl$ | Compare |
| 11 | United States (North America) | 85,810 intl$ | Compare |
| 12 | Netherlands (Europe & Central Asia) | 84,218 intl$ | Compare |
| 13 | Guyana (Latin America & Caribbean ) | 79,906 intl$ | Compare |
| 14 | Denmark (Europe & Central Asia) | 79,514 intl$ | Compare |
| 15 | Greenland (Europe & Central Asia) | 78,841 intl$ | Compare |
| 16 | Iceland (Europe & Central Asia) | 78,259 intl$ | Compare |
| 17 | Faroe Islands (Europe & Central Asia) | 78,165 intl$ | Compare |
| 18 | United Arab Emirates (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan) | 77,959 intl$ | Compare |
| 19 | San Marino (Europe & Central Asia) | 75,941 intl$ | Compare |
| 20 | Hong Kong SAR, China (East Asia & Pacific) | 75,216 intl$ | Compare |
| 21 | Andorra (Europe & Central Asia) | 74,939 intl$ | Compare |
| 22 | Germany (Europe & Central Asia) | 72,300 intl$ | Compare |
| 23 | Belgium (Europe & Central Asia) | 72,126 intl$ | Compare |
| 24 | Austria (Europe & Central Asia) | 71,618 intl$ | Compare |
| 25 | Saudi Arabia (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan) | 71,243 intl$ | Compare |
| 26 | Australia (East Asia & Pacific) | 71,193 intl$ | Compare |
| 27 | Sweden (Europe & Central Asia) | 71,030 intl$ | Compare |
| 28 | Malta (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan) | 67,364 intl$ | Compare |
| 29 | Bahrain (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan) | 67,211 intl$ | Compare |
| 30 | Canada (North America) | 65,463 intl$ | Compare |
| 31 | Finland (Europe & Central Asia) | 64,091 intl$ | Compare |
| 32 | France (Europe & Central Asia) | 61,322 intl$ | Compare |
| 33 | Cyprus (Europe & Central Asia) | 61,240 intl$ | Compare |
| 34 | Italy (Europe & Central Asia) | 60,847 intl$ | Compare |
| 35 | United Kingdom (Europe & Central Asia) | 60,620 intl$ | Compare |
| 36 | Spain (Europe & Central Asia) | 56,926 intl$ | Compare |
| 37 | Czechia (Europe & Central Asia) | 56,806 intl$ | Compare |
| 38 | Slovenia (Europe & Central Asia) | 56,531 intl$ | Compare |
| 39 | Israel (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan) | 55,691 intl$ | Compare |
| 40 | New Zealand (East Asia & Pacific) | 55,094 intl$ | Compare |
| 41 | Lithuania (Europe & Central Asia) | 54,414 intl$ | Compare |
| 42 | Korea, Rep. (East Asia & Pacific) | 52,204 intl$ | Compare |
| 43 | Sint Maarten (Dutch part) (Latin America & Caribbean ) | 52,085 intl$ | Compare |
| 44 | Japan (East Asia & Pacific) | 51,685 intl$ | Compare |
| 45 | Kuwait (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan) | 51,636 intl$ | Compare |
| 46 | Portugal (Europe & Central Asia) | 50,617 intl$ | Compare |
| 47 | Poland (Europe & Central Asia) | 50,378 intl$ | Compare |
| 48 | Puerto Rico (US) (Latin America & Caribbean ) | 50,156 intl$ | Compare |
| 49 | Virgin Islands (U.S.) (Latin America & Caribbean ) | 49,793 intl$ | Compare |
| 50 | Estonia (Europe & Central Asia) | 49,334 intl$ | Compare |
Income and purchasing power
The ranking is based on GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). This economic indicator takes into account the relative cost of living and inflation rates in different countries, providing a more accurate picture of the actual standard of living and economic prosperity.
PPP-adjusted GDP per capita allows for a fair comparison between countries by eliminating the distortions caused by exchange rate fluctuations and differences in price levels. For example, a dollar in a developing country can often buy more goods and services than the same dollar in a developed country.
This metric is particularly useful for understanding the real economic well-being of citizens, as it reflects what people can actually afford with their income in their local economy.
Wealth in small countries
It's notable that many of the top positions in this ranking are occupied by relatively small countries and territories. This phenomenon can be explained by several factors:
- Tax havens and financial centers: Countries like Luxembourg, Singapore, and Switzerland serve as global financial hubs, attracting wealth from around the world through favorable tax policies and banking regulations.
- Natural resources: Small countries with abundant oil, gas, or other valuable natural resources can generate enormous wealth despite having small populations. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are prime examples.
- Tourism and gambling: Some small nations, particularly in the Caribbean and Pacific, have built prosperous economies around tourism and gambling industries, attracting wealthy visitors from around the world.
- Specialized economies: Small countries can focus on high-value industries like technology, pharmaceuticals, or luxury goods, allowing them to compete effectively on the global stage despite their size.
However, it's important to note that high GDP per capita doesn't always translate to equal distribution of wealth among all citizens, and these rankings primarily reflect average economic performance rather than median living standards.
Important Note
Some entries in this ranking are not independent sovereign states but rather dependent territories, special administrative regions, or autonomous regions. Examples include Bermuda, Hong Kong, Macao, Puerto Rico, and Sint Maarten. These regions are included because they maintain separate economic statistics and often have distinct economic characteristics.
Explore the wealth distribution among the richest nations of the world in 2025. Data is sourced from the World Bank and IMF, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). This ranking highlights global economic disparities and shows how small yet advanced countries like Luxembourg and Singapore dominate the world economy.
The data presented here reflects the latest available statistics, providing insights into economic prosperity, living standards, and the factors that contribute to national wealth. Understanding these rankings helps identify successful economic models and the diverse paths countries take to achieve prosperity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country is the richest in the world?
As of 2025, Luxembourg remains the richest country in the world with the highest GDP per capita (PPP) at approximately 150,772 international dollars. Luxembourg's wealth is driven by its role as a global financial center, favorable tax policies, and a small population that benefits from high per capita revenues.
What is GDP per capita (PPP)?
GDP per capita based on Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) adjusts for cost of living differences between countries, giving a more accurate comparison of wealth and economic well-being. Unlike nominal GDP per capita, PPP accounts for the relative prices of goods and services in different countries, allowing for a fairer comparison of actual purchasing power and standard of living across nations.
Why are small countries often among the richest?
Small countries often rank among the richest due to several factors: they serve as tax havens and financial centers (like Luxembourg and Singapore), have abundant natural resources (like Qatar and UAE with oil and gas), focus on high-value specialized industries (technology, pharmaceuticals, luxury goods), or build economies around tourism and gambling. Their small populations allow high per capita revenues that larger countries cannot easily achieve.
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