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Journalism of Courage
Richest Countries by GDP per capita 2025: The global economy is projected to follow a divergent yet uncertain path, with anticipated growth rates of 3.3 per cent for both 2025 and 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund’s January 2025 report. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published its newest projections, highlighting the wealthiest countries according to their purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita.
This year, 2025, Luxembourg has reaffirmed its status as the wealthiest country in the world, boasting a remarkable GDP per capita of $154.91 thousand, as reported by the IMF, largely attributed to its strategic location in central Europe, robust financial services sector, and thriving as top tourist destinations.
In a notable mention, Singapore moved up two positions to become the second richest country in the world, surpassing Macau SAR, with a GDP per capita of $153.61 thousand.
Meanwhile, China’s special administrative region, Macau, follows with a GDP per capita of around $140.25 thousand, positioning itself in the third rank globally, thriving in its gaming and tourism sector.
In contrast, the United States, the largest global economy in nominal terms, ranks tenth in GDP per capita at around $89.68 thousand in 2025.
Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates, with a GDP per capita of US $82,000, fell to 15th rank this year, down from 6th in 2024.
India, the fifth-largest economy in the world, faces a notable difference in GDP per capita, ranking in the bottom 100 countries (rank: 124th, as reported by Forbes) with a GDP per capita of $11.94 thousand in 2025.
| Rank 2025 | Country | GDP-PPP per capita (in international dollars, thousand) |
| 1 | Luxembourg | $154.91 |
| 2 | Singapore | $153.61 |
| 3 | Macao SAR | $140.25 |
| 4 | Ireland | $131.55 |
| 5 | Qatar | $118.76 |
| 6 | Norway | $106.54 |
| 7 | Switzerland | $98.14 |
| 8 | Brunei Darussalam | $95.04 |
| 9 | Guyana | $91.38 |
| 10 | United States of America | $89.68 |
Source: IMF
Methodology:
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) represents the total economic output of a country, encompassing all goods and services produced. Dividing GDP by the number of full-time residents provides an insight into the average wealth of the population.
However, a more accurate assessment of a nation’s wealth incorporates inflation rates and local price levels, leading to the concept of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP).
While neither measure can perfectly rank nations based on wealth—due to factors like tax havens inflating GDP figures—GDP per capita adjusted for PPP offers a valuable perspective on the relative economic status of different countries.
