Where Data Tells the Story
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Countries with Higher and Lower GDP per Capita Compared to China
In 1990, the economic landscape was markedly different. At that time, most developing countries had a GDP per capita higher than that of China. However, there were some notable exceptions to this trend. Several countries in Africa, as well as Afghanistan, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, and North Korea in Asia, had GDP per capita figures that were lower than China's.
Fast forward to 2023, and the scenario has significantly shifted. China's GDP per capita has seen substantial growth, outpacing that of most developing countries. This remarkable economic progress has positioned China ahead of many of its developing counterparts. The exceptions to this trend are predominantly found among some of the Arab petro-states, whose economies benefit from vast oil reserves, giving them a higher GDP per capita.
From 1990 to 2023, China's GDP per capita surged about eight times more than that of Africa, Europe, North America, and South America, and 3.5 times more than that of Asia.
This comparison between 1990 and 2023 highlights China's impressive economic trajectory and the dynamic changes in global economic standings over the past few decades.