List of countries by GDP (PPP) per capita

This is a list of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita for the year of 2004, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year, divided by the average population for the same year. GDP dollar estimates here are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations. Such calculations are prepared by various organisations, including the International Monetary Fund, the University of Pennsylvania, and the World Bank. As estimates and assumptions have to be made, the results produced by different organisations for the same country tend to differ, sometimes substantially. PPP per capita figures are estimations rather than hard facts, and should be used with caution.

Related Topics:
Countries of the world - Gross domestic product - Purchasing power parity - Per capita - 2004 - International Monetary Fund - University of Pennsylvania - World Bank

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Comparisons of national wealth are also frequently made on the basis of nominal GDP, which does not reflect differences in the cost of living in different countries. (See List of countries by GDP (nominal) per capita.) The advantages of using nominal GDP figures include that less estimation is required, and that they more accurately reflect the participation of the inhabitants of a country in the global economy. On the whole PPP per capita figures are more narrowly spread than GDP per capita figures.

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Great care should be taken when using either set of figures to compare the wealth of two countries. Often people who wish to promote or denigrate a country will use the figure that suits their case best and ignore the other one, which may be substantially different, but a valid comparison of two economies should take both rankings into account, as well utilising other economic data to put an economy in context.

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The table below includes all 191 United Nations member states and Taiwan (Republic of China), plus the following unranked entities: the European Union, Hong Kong SAR (PRC), Macau SAR (PRC), Netherlands Antilles (Netherlands) and Puerto Rico (USA). Some of the figures shown were calculated by the International Monetary Fund and others compiled by the United States Central Intelligence Agency, which creates some inconsistency.

Related Topics:
United Nations member states - Taiwan - Republic of China - European Union - Hong Kong - SAR - PRC - Macau - Netherlands Antilles - Netherlands - Puerto Rico - USA - International Monetary Fund - Central Intelligence Agency

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