Richest countries in the world in 2025 by GDP per capita, US and India's position will surprise you, check which country is at top spot

India.com

6 days ago

Richest countries in the world in 2025 by GDP per capita, US and India's position will surprise you, check which country is at top spot
Imagine living in a country where people worry more about which private island to visit next than about paying their electricity bills. While many of us are thinking twice before ordering food delivery, there are places where folks casually plan luxury holidays or buy designer watches without blinking an eye. In this article, we will look at the world's richest countries, not by how big they are but by how much money the average person has. The rankings are based on numbers from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and if you're expecting big countries like China or the US to lead the list, you might be surprised to see that some of the smallest countries actually top the list. How the these rankings are decided
GDP stands for the total amount of goods and services a country produces. When we divide that by the number of people living there, we get an idea of how wealthy each person might be. But to make this more accurate, experts also look at how much things cost in each country and how inflation affects prices.
That's where Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) comes in, it gives a better comparison of how far your money goes in different countries. While this method is not totally perfect (especially because some countries are tax havens that show higher GDPs due to outside money), it's still one of the best ways to compare how rich or poor countries really are. 1. Singapore
Singapore takes the number one spot with each person, on average, making about USD 156,760 a year. The country's economy grows at around 2 per cent every year. Once a small port, Singapore is now a global business and trade center. Big companies and rich individuals from around the world are drawn to Singapore. It's also known for its advanced banks and industries like electronics and medicine. 2. Luxembourg
Luxembourg comes in second, with an average income of USD 152,920 per person and an annual growth of 1.6 per cent. This tiny country in Europe has made a name for itself in banking, steel, and finance. It's also home to several important European Union offices. Over 4,000 investment funds are based here, and many global companies use Luxembourg as a base to do business in Europe. 3. Macao (SAR of China)
Macao ranks third with an average yearly income of USD 134,040 and a 3.6 per cent yearly growth.
This small region near China is best known for its casinos and tourism. In fact, it earns more money from gambling than Las Vegas. Tourists, especially from China and other Asian countries, visit Macao in large numbers, helping boost its economy. 4. Ireland
Ireland has an average income of about USD 134,000 per person and is growing at 2.3 per cent a year. A big reason for this is its low business tax of 12.5 per cent, which attracts large global companies. Famous tech firms like Google, Facebook, and Apple have set up their European offices here. 5. Qatar
Qatar earns around USD 121,610 per person each year, with a growth rate of 2.4 per cent. This country is rich in oil and natural gas, holding the third-largest natural gas reserves in the world. Qatar has used its energy wealth to improve other parts of its economy, such as education, technology, and buildings. Its national savings, through one of the world's biggest investment funds, are spread across real estate, sports, and tech around the globe. The country is also becoming known as a center for global events and business. 6. Norway
Norway's average income is USD 107,890 per person, growing at 2.1 per cent annually. The country earns a lot from oil found in the North Sea, but it also uses this money wisely. It created a fund, the biggest in the world, to save and invest its oil earnings. Norway's economy is not just about oil. It also focuses on shipping, making advanced products, and clean energy, making it a well-balanced and smartly managed economy. 7. Switzerland
People in Switzerland earn about USD 97,580 per year on average, though the country's economy is growing slowly at 0.9 per cent. Switzerland is known around the world for its strong and trustworthy banks, luxury watches, and high-quality medicine. Its banks are famous for keeping clients' money safe and private. The country also makes precision tools and machines, and its medicine industry includes big companies like Novartis and Roche. 8. Brunei
Brunei's average income is around USD 95,760 per person, with 2.5 per cent yearly growth. This small country in Southeast Asia has made most of its money from oil and gas. Thanks to this wealth, the government gives people free healthcare and education. Now, Brunei is trying to grow in other areas like halal food, Islamic banking, and nature tourism. 9. Guyana
Guyana has seen a big change and now has an average income of USD 94,260, with the fastest growth on the list at 10.3 per cent! This South American country recently found large oil fields, and big companies like ExxonMobil have started major projects there. Besides oil, Guyana also has gold, diamonds, and bauxite. 10. United States
In the U.S., the average income per person is USD 89,110, with a growth rate of 1.8 per cent. Even though it's 10th on this list by income per person, the US is is still the richest country in the world by total money made. Its economy is huge and covers many areas like tech, farming, movies, banking, and manufacturing. The US. is home to famous tech hubs like Silicon Valley and has the most powerful financial center, Wall Street. The U.S. dollar being the main currency used worldwide also helps its economy stay strong. India's position
India ranks 124th with a GDP per capita of 11,940 dollars in 2025. While India is the world's fifth-largest economy, its GDP per capita is significantly lower compared to the wealthiest nations. Despite this, India continues to grow rapidly, largely due to its service and technology sectors.