Historical chart and dataset showing World GDP per capita by year from 1960 to 2023.

19 of the 20 countries with the lowest estimated GDP per capita in the world in 2024 are located in Sub-Saharan Africa. South Sudan is believed to have a GDP per capita of just 351.02 U.S. dollars - for reference, Luxembourg has the highest GDP per capita in the world, at almost 130,000 U.S. dollars, which is around 400 times larger than that of Burundi (U.S. GDP per capita is over 250 times higher than Burundi's). Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa Many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa have been among the most impoverished in the world for over a century, due to lacking nutritional and sanitation infrastructures, persistent conflict, and political instability. These issues are also being exacerbated by climate change, where African nations are some of the most vulnerable in the world, as well as the population boom that will place over the 21st century. Of course, the entire population of Sub-Saharan Africa does not live in poverty, and countries in the southern part of the continent, as well as oil-producing states around the Gulf of Guinea, do have some pockets of significant wealth (especially in urban areas). However, while GDP per capita may be higher in these countries, wealth distribution is often very skewed, and GDP per capita figures are not representative of average living standards across the population. Outside of Africa Yemen is the only country outside of Africa to feature on the list, due to decades of civil war and instability. Yemen lags very far behind some of its neighboring Arab states, some of whom rank among the richest in the world due to their much larger energy sectors. Additionally, the IMF does not make estimates for Afghanistan, which would also likely feature on this list.

The statistic displays the global gross domestic product (GDP) per capita from 2013 to 2023. GDP refers to the total market value of all goods and services that are produced within a country per year. It is an important indicator of the economic strength of a country. In 2023, global GDP per capita amounted to about 13,169.6 U.S. dollars. Gross domestic product and global economy The global economy suffered a major impact with the global financial crisis of 2008 but after a drop in global gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2009, the global economy recovered and reached record-high GDP per capita prices in 2013. Global GDP per capita has doubled over the past decade. Gross domestic product of industrial countries and emerging and developing countries combined is greater than GDP of all the other selected global regions combined, indicating economic prosperity and recovery despite some financial backsets. In the main industrialized and emerging countries, gross domestic product per capita is highest for the United States, followed by Germany and France. In the European Union, despite the financial crisis of 2008, GDP per capita has improved significantly. Another member of the European Union, Luxembourg, even reports the largest GDP per capita worldwide, followed by non-EU members Norway and Qatar.

GDP per capita, PPP (current international $) in World was reported at 24248 USD in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. World - GDP per capita, PPP (current international $) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The average for 2023 based on 185 countries was 19958.31 U.S. dollars. The highest value was in Monaco: 256580.52 U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Burundi: 193.01 U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

In 2025, Luxembourg was the country with the highest gross domestic product per capita in the world. Of the 20 listed countries, 13 are in Europe and five are in Asia, alongside the U.S. and Australia. There are no African or Latin American countries among the top 20. Correlation with high living standards While GDP is a useful indicator for measuring the size or strength of an economy, GDP per capita is much more reflective of living standards. For example, when compared to life expectancy or indices such as the Human Development Index or the World Happiness Report, there is a strong overlap - 14 of the 20 countries on this list are also ranked among the 20 happiest countries in 2024, and all 20 have "very high" HDIs. Misleading metrics? GDP per capita figures, however, can be misleading, and to paint a fuller picture of a country's living standards then one must look at multiple metrics. GDP per capita figures can be skewed by inequalities in wealth distribution, and in countries such as those in the Middle East, a relatively large share of the population lives in poverty while a smaller number live affluent lifestyles.

GDP per capita (current US$) is an economic indicator that measures the average economic output per person in a country. It is calculated by dividing the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country by its population, both measured in current US dollars. GDP per capita provides a useful metric for comparing the economic well-being and living standards between different countries.

There are various sources where you can find GDP per capita data, including international organizations, government agencies, and financial institutions. Some prominent sources for GDP per capita data include:

1. World Bank: The World Bank provides comprehensive data on GDP per capita for countries around the world. They maintain the World Development Indicators (WDI) database, which includes GDP per capita figures for different years.

2. International Monetary Fund (IMF): The IMF also offers GDP per capita data through their World Economic Outlook (WEO) database. It provides economic indicators and forecasts, including GDP per capita figures for various countries.

3. National Statistical Agencies: Many countries have their own national statistical agencies that publish GDP per capita data. These agencies collect and analyze economic data, including GDP and population figures, to calculate GDP per capita.

4. Central Banks: In some cases, central banks may also provide GDP per capita data for their respective countries. They often publish economic indicators and reports that include GDP per capita figures.

When using GDP per capita data, it's important to note that it represents an average measure and does not necessarily reflect the distribution of wealth within a country. Additionally, GDP per capita figures are often adjusted for inflation to provide real GDP per capita, which accounts for changes in the purchasing power of money over time.

To access the most up-to-date and accurate GDP per capita data, it is recommended to refer to reputable sources mentioned above or consult the official websites of international organizations, government agencies, or central banks that specialize in economic data and analysis.

Graph and download economic data for Constant GDP per capita for the World (NYGDPPCAPKDWLD) from 1960 to 2024 about World, per capita, real, and GDP.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Jordan was last recorded at 4016.83 US dollars in 2024. The GDP per Capita in Jordan is equivalent to 32 percent of the world's average. This dataset provides - Jordan GDP per capita - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

The Gross Domestic Product per capita in China was last recorded at 13121.68 US dollars in 2024. The GDP per Capita in China is equivalent to 104 percent of the world's average. This dataset provides - China GDP per capita - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is a crucial economic indicator that represents the average economic output per person in a given country or region. It is calculated by dividing the total GDP by the population size. This metric is often used to compare the economic performance of different countries and assess the relative prosperity of their citizens. Two commonly used versions of this indicator are GDP per capita at current prices and GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). GDP per capita at current prices reflects the total economic output of a country divided by its population, using the market prices of goods and services at the time of measurement. This metric provides a snapshot of the economic activity within a country without adjusting for inflation or differences in the cost of living across regions. Global GDP per capita at current prices (PPP) provides a measure of the average economic output per person, adjusted for the differences in the cost of living between countries. This adjustment allows for a more accurate comparison of living standards and economic productivity across different nations.

GDP per capita (current US$) in World was reported at 13170 USD in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. World - GDP per capita - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

This statistic shows the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the main industrialized and emerging countries in current prices in 2024. All figures are estimates. This year, the gross domestic product per capita in China amounted to approximately 13,312.7 U.S. dollars.

Graph and download economic data for Gross Domestic Product Per Capita for Least Developed Countries (NYGDPPCAPCDLDC) from 1960 to 2024 about per capita and GDP.

This dataset provides values for GDP PER CAPITA PPP reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

In 1820, Western Europe was the region with the highest GDP per capita, however the non-European developed countries of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand saw their average GDP per capita grow much higher by the outbreak of the First World War. These developed nations and Europe were the only regions where GDP per capita was higher than the global average, while all other regions were below (although Latin America did have an above average GDP in 1820).

This dataset provides values for GDP PER CAPITA reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

The average for 2023 based on 62 countries was 56418 U.S. dollars. The highest value was in Luxembourg: 130491 U.S. dollars and the lowest value was in Palau: 15797 U.S. dollars. The indicator is available from 1990 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for Purchasing Power Parity Converted GDP Per Capita Relative to the United States, average GEKS-CPDW, at current prices for China (PGD2U2CNA621NUPN) from 1952 to 2010 about PPP, China, per capita, and GDP.

Graph and download economic data for Purchasing Power Parity Converted GDP Per Capita Relative to the United States, average GEKS-CPDW, at current prices for Australia (PGD2USAUA621NUPN) from 1950 to 2010 about Australia, PPP, per capita, and GDP.