Top 20 Economies: How Daily Average Incomes Have Changed Since 1994

Key Takeaways

• The per capita median daily income in China grew 6x between 1994–2024, after adjusting for inflation.
• However that still amounts to around $12 (in International dollars) in 2024, tied for third-last in the top 20 largest economies.
• In the U.S., the per capita median daily income went up 30% over the same stretch.

❗Data Note

Comparative figures are missing for #4 Japan, #11 South Korea, and #19 Saudi Arabia.

Poland, Taiwan, and Belgium have been included in their stead.

Australia's change is measured between 1994–2023 due to data restraints.

The Difference Between Mature and Growing Economies

While China, Indonesia, Poland & Türkiye have grown a lot, their average incomes are still far below countries like the U.S., Germany, UK, and France.

For best insights, it’s best to compare like to like.

For example, the U.S. has the least income growth versus Germany, UK, and France, but remains second-richest after Switzerland.