The 12 Richest Countries In The World (GDP Per Capita)

Want to know the richest countries in the world? In this article, we will be talking about the wealthiest countries in the world based on their GDP per capita.

A country does not have to be very large to be very rich. Several of the countries with the highest income per person * are quite small! But beware: this does not mean that all inhabitants of these countries live well. Among the richest countries in the world are some of the countries with the most inequality.

Richest Countries In The World (GDP Per Capita)

1. Qatar

GDP per capita: $ 130,475

Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. Qatar’s wealth comes from oil and natural gas, which has made some people very wealthy. But the vast majority of the people who live in the country are very poorly paid immigrants and live in terrible conditions.

(Qatar is likely to drop this list because of the economic and political embargo that its neighbors have imposed on it).

2. Macau

GDP per capita: $ 116,808

Technically, Macau is part of China but has a lot of independence. The territory belonged to Portugal until 1999 when it was passed to China, but with its own system, different from the rest of the country. Macau’s economy thrives on tourism and casinos, which earn millions for the region’s owners and government.

3. Luxembourg

GDP per capita: $ 106,705

Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in Europe and the world. But its economy is very strong and that made it earn a space on the list of the richest countries in the world. The country is known for its banks and for being a tax haven. Luxembourg is also one of the favorite places for the Portuguese to emigrate.

4. Singapore

GDP per capita: $ 100,345

Singapore is the country with the highest percentage of millionaires in the world! Despite this, the wage gap between the richest and the poorest is very large. The economy of this city-state is based on international trade, tourism, and oil refineries.

5. Brunei

GDP per capita: $ 79,530

Brunei has the advantage of having large deposits of oil and natural gas. Located on the island of Borneo, the country is small and has to import much of its food but the oil more than makes up for this investment! The government supports important sectors such as agriculture and health.

6. Ireland

GDP per capita: $ 78,785

Known as the emerald island, Ireland continues to attract many investors, despite the 2007 crisis. Much of the wealth comes from the services the country offers and foreign investment. It is not for nothing that the Irish are said to be lucky!

7. Norway

GDP per capita: $ 74,356

In addition to having a high average income per person, Norway also has low levels of inequality between the richest and the poorest. The country has a small population, many natural resources, and a diversified, government-backed economy. For those who like very cold temperatures in winter and do not miss the sun, Norway is a great country to live in …

8. The United Arab Emirates

GDP per capita: $ 69,382

This is yet another country built on the price of oil and that made it one of the richest countries in the world. The country is also betting heavily on tourism, especially in Dubai. But only a fraction of the residents is from the UAE. The vast majority of the population is made up of immigrant workers with few rights and are subject to terrible conditions.

9. Kuwait

GDP per capita: $ 67,000

Like Qatar, Kuwait lives off oil. But working in Kuwait is not for everyone. In summer, temperatures reach almost 50 ºC! making it one of the hottest countries in the world. For immigrant workers, who don’t get paid that much, life in this rich country is not easy.

10. Switzerland

GDP per capita: $ 64,649

Protected by the Alps, Switzerland is at the heart of Europe. The country is famous for being a tax haven, with very discreet banking services. But the economy does not depend on it alone. Switzerland produces many high-value items, such as watches and musical instruments.

11. Hong Kong

GDP per capita: $ 64,216

Hong Kong is like Macau, a very independent state that belongs to China. The income of the territory comes from being a great center of finance and international trade. Unlike the rest of China, the Hong Kong government does not interfere much in trade, giving much freedom to private businesses.

12. The United States of America

GDP per capita: $ 62,606

The United States economy is the largest in the world. And that economy continues to grow, bringing more wealth to the country. The United States dominates the international market, dictating the direction of the world economy, and attracting all major investors.

These figures are estimates based on the Gross Domestic Product (the country’s total income), divided by the number of inhabitants, and adjusted with the purchasing power parity (the value of money in relation to the cost of living).