Top 10 "wealthiest" countries of the world
Based on data from
International Monetary Fund,
CIA World Fact book, and collective
data from Wikipedia, listed
below are the top 10 countries
with the highest gross domestic
product per capita and why. GDP
is the total output of a country and
GDP per capita can be considered
as the output or wealth per person
in that country.
10. United States - $47,131.95
The largest importer of goods, the third largest exporters of goods, home of the top two stock exchanges in the world, and overall a competitive force in the world market, it's no surprise to find it in the top 10. Considering the population for the country is at most $280 million more than anyone else on this list, it says a lot about what makes the country tick. But US has not been able to top this particular list for decades. Nonetheless, the next few countries are only fraction of a size of the U.S. and still able to beat it.
9. United Arab Emirates - $47,406.66
The residence to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and with the seventh largest oil reserves in the world, UAE is literally an oasis in the desert. Some signs of prosperity include the three largest artificial islands in the world, the tallest building in the world (almost a kilometre high), largest amusement park and largest mall in the world.
8. Sweden — $47,667.02
Sweden's GDP is led by a monstrous engineering sector, accounting for more than 50 per cent of its GDP. A large exporting sector and private ownership of 90 per cent of all firms helps the competitive GDP stay at the top.
7. Australia - $54,868.92
A flourishing source of natural resources and a major exporter of commodities, Australia has been able to keep its output booming. Along with the rest of the world, China depends on it for vast majority of its mineral requirements. It includes the cleanest cities, one of the freest economies in the world, and a dominant service sector contributing to its GDP.
6. Denmark - $55,112.71
Although being one of the highest taxed countries in the world (around 50 per cent tax to GDP), Denmark relies on imports and its service sector to fuel its economy. It has one of the highest percentages of post secondary educated population, the best government welfare programs, best economic protection for individuals, and appropriately, is ranked the happiest country in the world.
5. Switzerland - $67,074.31
A major free and private market banking sector has made this and the next few countries appealing to investors, high rollers, and, unofficially, the tax evaders. The financial sector is a key contributor to Switzerland's GDP. It has a reputation of being one of the most peaceful countries in the world and is under great pressure from the world to reform its Banking Secrecy Act.
4. Qatar — $74,442.60
Unemployment rate in Qatar is around the lowest in the world at 0.5 per cent. It has the third highest natural gas reserves in the world and many oil reserves. Most of the population is employed pumping these resources to the world as the vast majority of its GDP is a result of exports.
3. Norway — $84,543.44
Norway has a vast supply of natural resources including petroleum, natural gas, timber, and fisheries. It has a mix of free market and state controlled economy, where most oil reserves are owned by the state. Because of this, Norway relies on its exports of oil to generate its GDP.
2. Luxembourg - $104,390.27
If the corporation was a citizen then the next two countries would be their home. An oasis for free market enterprise, more and more companies are incorporating themselves here. The financial service sector is the biggest portion of Luxembourg's GDP.
1. Liechtenstein - $122,100
Until 2009, Liechtenstein used to be on the World Financial Task Force's blacklist. With personal income tax at around 1.2 per cent and business tax around 20 per cent, the country has more companies than people (resulting in a tiny unemployment rate). Liechtenstein is embroiled in controversy about being a tax haven for people around the world. And in spite of being uncooperative with the U.N. for past years, it has been a leader on this list for decades.
10. United States - $47,131.95
The largest importer of goods, the third largest exporters of goods, home of the top two stock exchanges in the world, and overall a competitive force in the world market, it's no surprise to find it in the top 10. Considering the population for the country is at most $280 million more than anyone else on this list, it says a lot about what makes the country tick. But US has not been able to top this particular list for decades. Nonetheless, the next few countries are only fraction of a size of the U.S. and still able to beat it.
9. United Arab Emirates - $47,406.66
The residence to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and with the seventh largest oil reserves in the world, UAE is literally an oasis in the desert. Some signs of prosperity include the three largest artificial islands in the world, the tallest building in the world (almost a kilometre high), largest amusement park and largest mall in the world.
8. Sweden — $47,667.02
Sweden's GDP is led by a monstrous engineering sector, accounting for more than 50 per cent of its GDP. A large exporting sector and private ownership of 90 per cent of all firms helps the competitive GDP stay at the top.
7. Australia - $54,868.92
A flourishing source of natural resources and a major exporter of commodities, Australia has been able to keep its output booming. Along with the rest of the world, China depends on it for vast majority of its mineral requirements. It includes the cleanest cities, one of the freest economies in the world, and a dominant service sector contributing to its GDP.
6. Denmark - $55,112.71
Although being one of the highest taxed countries in the world (around 50 per cent tax to GDP), Denmark relies on imports and its service sector to fuel its economy. It has one of the highest percentages of post secondary educated population, the best government welfare programs, best economic protection for individuals, and appropriately, is ranked the happiest country in the world.
5. Switzerland - $67,074.31
A major free and private market banking sector has made this and the next few countries appealing to investors, high rollers, and, unofficially, the tax evaders. The financial sector is a key contributor to Switzerland's GDP. It has a reputation of being one of the most peaceful countries in the world and is under great pressure from the world to reform its Banking Secrecy Act.
4. Qatar — $74,442.60
Unemployment rate in Qatar is around the lowest in the world at 0.5 per cent. It has the third highest natural gas reserves in the world and many oil reserves. Most of the population is employed pumping these resources to the world as the vast majority of its GDP is a result of exports.
3. Norway — $84,543.44
Norway has a vast supply of natural resources including petroleum, natural gas, timber, and fisheries. It has a mix of free market and state controlled economy, where most oil reserves are owned by the state. Because of this, Norway relies on its exports of oil to generate its GDP.
2. Luxembourg - $104,390.27
If the corporation was a citizen then the next two countries would be their home. An oasis for free market enterprise, more and more companies are incorporating themselves here. The financial service sector is the biggest portion of Luxembourg's GDP.
1. Liechtenstein - $122,100
Until 2009, Liechtenstein used to be on the World Financial Task Force's blacklist. With personal income tax at around 1.2 per cent and business tax around 20 per cent, the country has more companies than people (resulting in a tiny unemployment rate). Liechtenstein is embroiled in controversy about being a tax haven for people around the world. And in spite of being uncooperative with the U.N. for past years, it has been a leader on this list for decades.
