How Big is China's Economy?

China's economy is the second largest in the world in terms of economic output and purchasing power, but on a per capita basis it ranks 98th — right ahead of El Salvador. That puts it behind countries such as Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovinia, and Barbados.

More facts about the world economy:

• According to the IMF, the country with the highest GDP as of 2009 was Luxembourg, followed closely by Norway and Qatar.


• Countries that routinely rank the lowest in terms of GDP and economy are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Eritrea, where the GDP is almost 600 times less that of top ranking countries.


• In terms of actual GDP, the US ranks 10th, beaten out by Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and Denmark, among others.