GDP per Capita by Country — 2026 World Rankings

GDP per capita divides a country's total GDP by its population, yielding a rough measure of average economic output per person. It is the most commonly used proxy for comparing living standards across countries, though it has significant limitations. The nominal GDP per capita figures on this page are in current US dollars and come from the IMF World Economic Outlook.

The range in GDP per capita across countries is staggering: the richest countries (Luxembourg, Ireland, Switzerland, Norway) report figures above $80,000 per person, while the poorest (Burundi, South Sudan, Central African Republic) fall below $500. This 100x+ gap reflects not just differences in natural resources or geography, but accumulated differences in institutions, education, infrastructure, and governance built over decades or centuries.

Two important caveats apply when interpreting these numbers. First, nominal GDP per capita is distorted by exchange rates and doesn't reflect local purchasing power — a salary of $10,000 goes much further in India than in Switzerland. For a fairer comparison, use GDP per capita in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Second, GDP per capita is an average, not a measure of how income is distributed. Qatar has one of the highest GDP per capita figures in the world, but most of that GDP accrues to a small citizen population while a large migrant labor force earns far less. The Gini index provides a complementary view of inequality within countries.