Fastest GDP per capita growth rate

 From Visual Capitalist

Over the last 35 years, some countries have seen extraordinary increases in economic output per person, ranging from export-driven Asian economies to resource-rich nations experiencing major commodity booms.

This graphic ranks countries by real GDP per capita growth from 1990 to 2025, based on World Bank data. Figures account for inflation and differences in purchasing power across countries.

Guyana’s extraordinary growth is closely tied to its offshore oil boom. Oil production began in 2019 and reached roughly 225 million barrels in 2024, transforming the economy of a country with fewer than one million people.

That helps explain why Guyana’s real GDP per capita has risen 1,549% since 1990, putting it ahead of every other country in the ranking.

China’s rise stands out because of the scale involved. Nearly 800 million people have been lifted out of extreme poverty over the past four decades, accounting for nearly three-quarters of the global reduction.

The broader ranking shows that China is part of a much larger Asian growth story. Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, and South Korea all rank among the world’s fastest-growing economies by real GDP per capita since 1990.

Unlike Guyana’s recent oil-driven surge, much of this growth unfolded over decades of industrialization and trade expansion. Asian countries make up nearly half of the global top 25.

The U.S. ranks 88th globally, with real GDP per capita rising 73% between 1990 and 2025. Among G7 economies, it recorded the largest increase over the period.

By comparison, GDP per capita grew 61% in the UK, 48% in Germany, 43% in Canada and France, and 34% in Japan.

One factor behind the U.S. advantage has been stronger productivity growth, helping it pull ahead of many advanced-economy peers. The largest gains, however, have occurred elsewhere, highlighting how much the global growth landscape has shifted since 1990.

This graphic shows the growth in average per person GDP, i.e., GDP divided by the population.   But in the US, for example, most of the growth over the last 40 years has accrued to the top 10% and top 1%.  What would be very interesting is to see median per person GDP growth.   The point where half is above and half below is the median.  An example.  In a village of 100 people, 99 earn £100 per year, and 1 earns a £10,000.   The average (mean) income for the village is £199, which is clearly meaningless.  The median, however, is £100, which is much more meaningful.   And it is the median income/per person GDP which matters for ordinary people.  I suspect median GDP per person in the US has grown more slowly than in other G7 countries.