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Economy of China vs Jamaica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $22B for Jamaica, ranking 2/197 and 124/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $14B (63.4% of GDP) in Jamaica.

China vs Jamaica GDP by year

China
Jamaica
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Jamaica
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $22,014,397,090
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $21,418,804,320
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $18,813,516,805
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $15,963,885,376
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $15,000,214,216
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $17,026,269,263
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $16,855,447,986
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $15,783,583,237
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $14,898,999,754
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $14,963,589,916
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $13,899,217,680
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $14,264,205,153
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $14,807,086,556
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $14,444,661,522
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $13,220,549,908
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $12,120,458,115
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $13,709,401,520
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $12,799,600,047
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $11,930,179,090
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $11,243,865,778
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $10,174,664,854
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $9,430,234,811
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $9,719,009,495
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $9,194,727,831
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $9,005,064,475
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $8,887,057,997
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $8,787,195,622
1997 $967,753,570,435 $8,400,041,724
1996 $868,523,936,530 $7,393,891,921
1995 $738,190,896,228 $6,577,520,643
1994 $566,929,539,493 $5,452,558,947
1993 $446,557,291,212 $5,440,075,676
1992 $428,502,354,788 $3,535,460,090
1991 $384,510,452,962 $4,106,207,649
1990 $361,560,229,446 $4,592,208,087
1989 $348,380,566,802 $4,404,937,853
1988 $312,888,888,889 $3,828,342,820
1987 $273,455,156,951 $3,287,007,322
1986 $301,310,144,928 $2,754,549,582
1985 $310,064,625,850 $2,100,239,019
1984 $260,442,857,143 $2,373,564,549
1983 $231,130,268,199 $3,619,262,277
1982 $205,480,916,031 $3,293,496,312
1981 $196,218,253,968 $2,979,027,966
1980 $191,487,500,000 $2,679,379,372
1979 $178,573,913,043 $2,425,064,229
1978 $149,788,617,886 $2,644,527,822
1977 $175,226,595,860 $3,249,733,140
1976 $154,196,810,059 $2,966,042,856
1975 $163,687,619,736 $2,860,442,750
1974 $144,418,433,058 $2,375,122,375
1973 $138,764,340,892 $1,905,917,553
1972 $113,871,930,714 $1,875,146,587
1971 $99,959,013,880 $1,539,861,816
1970 $92,752,930,873 $1,404,720,442
1969 $79,847,786,729 $1,191,239,047
1968 $70,980,323,819 $1,083,839,133
1967 $73,011,350,596 $1,148,014,311
1966 $76,854,053,259 $1,096,759,561
1965 $70,565,994,356 $972,159,611
1964 $59,821,862,703 $897,949,001
1963 $50,812,227,919 $826,706,669
1962 $47,310,737,754 $777,727,689
1961 $50,162,299,350 $748,043,501
1960 $59,846,235,025 $699,064,380

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/jamaica | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Jamaica by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Jamaica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $7,754 $12,890
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $7,542 $12,651
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $6,626 $11,888
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $5,626 $10,431
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $5,299 $9,764
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $6,031 $10,845
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $5,977 $10,753
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $5,605 $10,466
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $5,302 $9,948
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $5,339 $9,476
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $4,975 $9,210
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $5,124 $9,101
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $5,341 $8,831
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $5,233 $8,809
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $4,810 $8,521
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $4,428 $8,580
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $5,030 $8,952
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $4,716 $8,893
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $4,417 $8,577
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $4,184 $8,127
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $3,808 $7,854
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $3,550 $7,593
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $3,681 $7,226
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $3,504 $7,019
2000 $969 $2,964 $3,453 $6,816
1999 $881 $2,690 $3,432 $6,653
1998 $835 $2,483 $3,419 $6,543
1997 $787 $2,297 $3,297 $6,682
1996 $713 $2,088 $2,929 $6,706
1995 $613 $1,884 $2,631 $6,657
1994 $476 $1,680 $2,203 $6,435
1993 $379 $1,471 $2,221 $6,279
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,458 $5,664
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,710 $5,485
1990 $319 $991 $1,930 $5,106
1989 $311 - $1,865 -
1988 $284 - $1,632 -
1987 $252.3 - $1,411 -
1986 $282.4 - $1,191 -
1985 $295 - $917 -
1984 $251.2 - $1,048 -
1983 $225.9 - $1,619 -
1982 $203.7 - $1,494 -
1981 $197.4 - $1,370 -
1980 $195.1 - $1,249 -
1979 $184.3 - $1,144 -
1978 $156.7 - $1,262 -
1977 $185.7 - $1,569 -
1976 $165.7 - $1,450 -
1975 $178.6 - $1,417 -
1974 $160.4 - $1,193 -
1973 $157.3 - $972 -
1972 $132.1 - $971 -
1971 $118.8 - $809 -
1970 $113.3 - $748 -
1969 $100.3 - $642 -
1968 $91.6 - $591 -
1967 $96.8 - $633 -
1966 $104.5 - $612 -
1965 $98.7 - $549 -
1964 $85.7 - $514 -
1963 $74.5 - $480 -
1962 $71.1 - $458 -
1961 $76 - $447 -
1960 $89.7 - $424 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/jamaica | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $7,754 in Jamaica, ranking 95/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890.

Economic indicators

China Jamaica
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$22B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
-0.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$7,754
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$12,890
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
121/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$14B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
63.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$4,917
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
79/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$6,905
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$12.4B
2024
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
30.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
5.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
5.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
3.02%
2023
Population
1402578808
2834980

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Jamaica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Jamaica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 30.5% 63.4%
2023 32.7% 82% 28% 67.3%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 28.4% 73.5%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 29% 90.9%
2020 34.8% 69% 29.8% 100.1%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 27.8% 88.6%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 27.8% 89.2%
2017 32% 53.9% 27.3% 96.7%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 27% 109.1%
2015 31% 40.8% 26.3% 117.6%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 26.5% 136.7%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 26.9% 138.1%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 29.6% 143%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 31.7% 138.1%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 32.9% 140.1%
2009 25.2% 34% 38.6% 141.5%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 34.4% 125.6%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 31.6% 115.3%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 31.2% 118%
2005 18% 25.9% 29.3% 124.5%
2004 17.6% 26% 31.5% 120.1%
2003 18% 26.4% 32.5% 125.5%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 31.1% 119.1%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 28.5% 107.9%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 26.2% 91.3%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 28.9% 83.5%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 28.3% 75.6%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 28.3% 74.4%
1996 11% 21.2% 27.7% 70.2%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 23.1% 85.2%
1994 12.4% - 21.5% 90.4%
1993 13.4% - 21.5% 106.2%
1992 14.6% - 20% 100.4%
1991 16.5% - 24.5% 175.1%
1990 18.2% - 25.7% 128.8%
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/jamaica | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Jamaica spent $6.72B, or 30.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 63.4% in Jamaica, ranking 34/185 and 73/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Jamaica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Jamaica
2024 -7.34% 0.22%
2023 -6.71% 0.04%
2022 -7.32% 0.27%
2021 -5.9% 0.89%
2020 -9.56% -2.83%
2019 -6% 0.85%
2018 -4.2% 1.12%
2017 -3.34% 0.43%
2016 -3.33% -0.19%
2015 -2.5% -0.28%
2014 -0.67% -0.49%
2013 -0.82% 0.12%
2012 -0.3% -4.05%
2011 -0.1% -6.34%
2010 -0.36% -6.27%
2009 -1.72% -11.1%
2008 -0.02% -7.43%
2007 0.06% -3.82%
2006 -1.13% -4.9%
2005 -1.38% -3.3%
2004 -1.49% -4.68%
2003 -2.36% -5.67%
2002 -2.84% -6.77%
2001 -2.56% -4.89%
2000 -2.81% -0.8%
1999 -2.3% -3.53%
1998 -1.08% -5.82%
1997 -0.73% -6.54%
1996 -0.73% -5.32%
1995 -0.94% 1.6%
1994 -1.68% 2.59%
1993 -0.89% 2.6%
1992 -1.22% 3.11%
1991 -1.04% 3.87%
1990 -0.72% 2.34%
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/jamaica | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Jamaica's surplus of $49.1M, or 0.22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Jamaica ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.14% of GDP for Jamaica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Jamaica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Jamaica
2024 0.2% 5.41%
2023 0.2% 6.47%
2022 2% 10.3%
2021 0.9% 5.86%
2020 2.5% 5.23%
2019 2.9% 3.91%
2018 2.1% 3.74%
2017 1.6% 4.38%
2016 2% 2.35%
2015 1.5% 3.69%
2014 2% 8.27%
2013 2.7% 9.34%
2012 2.6% 6.87%
2011 5.4% 7.56%
2010 3.3% 12.6%
2009 -0.7% 9.59%
2008 5.9% 22%
2007 4.7% 9.24%
2006 1.5% 8.56%
2005 1.8% 15.1%
2004 3.9% 13.6%
2003 1.1% 10.1%
2002 -0.8% 7.08%
2001 0.7% 6.8%
2000 0.4% 8.17%
1999 -1.4% 5.95%
1998 -0.8% 8.63%
1997 2.8% 9.66%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/jamaica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 8.23% in Jamaica. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 5.41% in Jamaica.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $394M
Textiles & consumer goods $275M
Metals $146M
Chemicals & pharma $123M
Raw materials & minerals $52M
Wood & paper products $43.6M
Miscellaneous $24.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16.9M
Raw agricultural goods $5.1M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.66M
Jamaica
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2.62M
Raw materials & minerals $2.21M
Animal & marine products $1.21M
Metals $1.02M
Chemicals & pharma $470K
Machinery & equipment $211K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $90K
Wood & paper products $55K
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

China Jamaica
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$679M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
56/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+3.08%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$6.07B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$1.87B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$3.46B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$5.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
52.1%
2019
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
38%
2019

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

China Jamaica
Economic freedom 48.3 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 48/197
Property rights 40.9 66.8
Government integrity 42.3 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 75.6
Tax burden 69.3 76.3
Government spending 67.8 76
Fiscal health 4.4 92.2
Business freedom 68.7 68.5
Labor freedom 57.9 59.2
Monetary freedom 76.1 74.2
Trade freedom 73.4 70.4
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Jamaica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Jamaica
2026 48.3 68.2
2025 49 68.7
2024 48.5 68.1
2023 48.3 68.1
2022 48 67.4
2021 58.4 69
2020 59.5 68.5
2019 58.4 68.6
2018 57.8 69.1
2017 57.4 69.5
2016 52 67.5
2015 52.7 67.7
2014 52.5 66.7
2013 51.9 66.8
2012 51.2 65.1
2011 52 65.7
2010 51 65.5
2009 53.2 65.2
2008 53.1 65.7
2007 52 65.5
2006 53.6 66.4
2005 53.7 67
2004 52.5 66.7
2003 52.6 67
2002 52.8 61.7
2001 52.6 63.7
2000 56.4 65.5
1999 54.8 64.7
1998 53.1 67.1
1997 51.7 67.7
1996 51.3 66.7
1995 52 64.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/jamaica | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 68.2 for Jamaica, ranking 48/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Jamaica
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
7.97%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$20.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$12,690
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$5.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
93/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$304M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$305M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$1.07M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
11.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
8.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
22.6%
2019

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/jamaica | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.