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Economy of China vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $43.7B for Latvia, ranking 2/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $20.4B (46.8% of GDP) in Latvia.

China vs Latvia GDP by year

China
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Latvia
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $43,684,254,432
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $42,779,550,937
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $38,003,198,509
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $38,183,326,785
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $33,379,927,435
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $33,099,503,951
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $33,247,935,477
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $29,391,059,767
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $27,117,105,060
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $26,344,565,877
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $30,277,203,767
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $29,152,128,168
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $27,116,149,949
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $26,575,547,901
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $23,468,324,572
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $25,691,530,442
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $34,135,200,994
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $29,420,499,248
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $20,434,922,247
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $16,306,935,905
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $13,827,070,379
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $11,244,337,720
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $9,249,030,241
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $8,190,888,740
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $7,761,252,607
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $7,324,192,890
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $6,974,112,951
1997 $967,753,570,435 $6,349,481,007
1996 $868,523,936,530 $5,799,465,288
1995 $738,190,896,228 $5,608,208,785
1994 $566,929,539,493 -
1993 $446,557,291,212 -
1992 $428,502,354,788 -
1991 $384,510,452,962 -
1990 $361,560,229,446 -
1989 $348,380,566,802 -
1988 $312,888,888,889 -
1987 $273,455,156,951 -
1986 $301,310,144,928 -
1985 $310,064,625,850 -
1984 $260,442,857,143 -
1983 $231,130,268,199 -
1982 $205,480,916,031 -
1981 $196,218,253,968 -
1980 $191,487,500,000 -
1979 $178,573,913,043 -
1978 $149,788,617,886 -
1977 $175,226,595,860 -
1976 $154,196,810,059 -
1975 $163,687,619,736 -
1974 $144,418,433,058 -
1973 $138,764,340,892 -
1972 $113,871,930,714 -
1971 $99,959,013,880 -
1970 $92,752,930,873 -
1969 $79,847,786,729 -
1968 $70,980,323,819 -
1967 $73,011,350,596 -
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Latvia by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $23,409 $43,394
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $969 $2,964 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $881 $2,690 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $835 $2,483 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $787 $2,297 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $713 $2,088 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $613 $1,884 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $476 $1,680 - $5,012
1993 $379 $1,471 - $4,722
1992 $368 $1,276 - $4,760
1991 $334 $1,105 - $6,762
1990 $319 $991 - $7,448
1989 $311 - - -
1988 $284 - - -
1987 $252.3 - - -
1986 $282.4 - - -
1985 $295 - - -
1984 $251.2 - - -
1983 $225.9 - - -
1982 $203.7 - - -
1981 $197.4 - - -
1980 $195.1 - - -
1979 $184.3 - - -
1978 $156.7 - - -
1977 $185.7 - - -
1976 $165.7 - - -
1975 $178.6 - - -
1974 $160.4 - - -
1973 $157.3 - - -
1972 $132.1 - - -
1971 $118.8 - - -
1970 $113.3 - - -
1969 $100.3 - - -
1968 $91.6 - - -
1967 $96.8 - - -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $23,409 in Latvia, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

China Latvia
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$43.7B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
99/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
-0.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$23,409
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$20.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
46.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$10,945
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
53/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$17,033
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
44.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
6.88%
2024
Population
1402578808
1829763

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 44.5% 46.8%
2023 32.7% 82% 43.1% 44.6%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 43.5% 44.4%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 34.8% 69% 42.6% 44%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 39% 37.9%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 32% 53.9% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 31% 40.8% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 25.2% 34% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 34.8% 9%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 18% 25.9% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 17.6% 26% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 18% 26.4% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 35% 17.8%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 37% 15.1%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 40.4% 14.8%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 38.1% 9.81%
1997 11.5% 20.4% - -
1996 11% 21.2% - -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $19.4B, or 44.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 46.8% in Latvia, ranking 34/185 and 116/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Latvia
2024 -7.34% -1.82%
2023 -6.71% -3.38%
2022 -7.32% -3.94%
2021 -5.9% -5.71%
2020 -9.56% -3.85%
2019 -6% -0.39%
2018 -4.2% -0.77%
2017 -3.34% -0.85%
2016 -3.33% -0.41%
2015 -2.5% -1.57%
2014 -0.67% -1.74%
2013 -0.82% -0.58%
2012 -0.3% 0.18%
2011 -0.1% -3.38%
2010 -0.36% -6.56%
2009 -1.72% -7.14%
2008 -0.02% -3.29%
2007 0.06% 0.63%
2006 -1.13% -0.48%
2005 -1.38% -1.06%
2004 -1.49% -1.04%
2003 -2.36% -1.67%
2002 -2.84% -2.59%
2001 -2.56% -2.03%
2000 -2.81% -2.57%
1999 -2.3% -3.54%
1998 -1.08% -0.66%
1997 -0.73% -
1996 -0.73% -
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
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/latvia | 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 Latvia's deficit of $797M, or 1.82% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.89% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Latvia
2024 0.2% 1.27%
2023 0.2% 8.94%
2022 2% 17.3%
2021 0.9% 3.28%
2020 2.5% 0.22%
2019 2.9% 2.81%
2018 2.1% 2.53%
2017 1.6% 2.93%
2016 2% 0.14%
2015 1.5% 0.17%
2014 2% 0.62%
2013 2.7% -0.03%
2012 2.6% 2.26%
2011 5.4% 4.37%
2010 3.3% -1.08%
2009 -0.7% 3.53%
2008 5.9% 15.4%
2007 4.7% 10.1%
2006 1.5% 6.54%
2005 1.8% 6.75%
2004 3.9% 6.19%
2003 1.1% 2.94%
2002 -0.8% 1.94%
2001 0.7% 2.49%
2000 0.4% 2.65%
1999 -1.4% 2.36%
1998 -0.8% 4.64%
1997 2.8% 8.45%

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/latvia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 4.28% in Latvia. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 1.27% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $423M
Textiles & consumer goods $129M
Chemicals & pharma $75.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $57.7M
Raw materials & minerals $57.7M
Miscellaneous $54.1M
Metals $47.5M
Wood & paper products $10.7M
Raw agricultural goods $9.99M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.86M
Latvia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $73.8M
Wood & paper products $67.4M
Transport & tourism services $54.1M
Machinery & equipment $34.6M
Metals $22.1M
Chemicals & pharma $15.5M
Business & finance services $8.62M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.89M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.56M
IT & IP services $3.22M

Balance of trade

China Latvia
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$688M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$23.4B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$20.1B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$5.86B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$8.42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
66.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
65.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Latvia
Economic freedom 48.3 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 31/197
Property rights 40.9 88.8
Government integrity 42.3 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 70.9
Tax burden 69.3 70.9
Government spending 67.8 42.7
Fiscal health 4.4 80.8
Business freedom 68.7 80.7
Labor freedom 57.9 60.5
Monetary freedom 76.1 76.3
Trade freedom 73.4 79.4
Investment freedom 20 80
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Latvia
2026 48.3 71.6
2025 49 71.4
2024 48.5 71.5
2023 48.3 72.8
2022 48 74.8
2021 58.4 72.3
2020 59.5 71.9
2019 58.4 70.4
2018 57.8 73.6
2017 57.4 74.8
2016 52 70.4
2015 52.7 69.7
2014 52.5 68.7
2013 51.9 66.5
2012 51.2 65.2
2011 52 65.8
2010 51 66.2
2009 53.2 66.6
2008 53.1 68.3
2007 52 67.9
2006 53.6 66.9
2005 53.7 66.3
2004 52.5 67.4
2003 52.6 66
2002 52.8 65
2001 52.6 66.4
2000 56.4 63.4
1999 54.8 64.2
1998 53.1 63.4
1997 51.7 62.4
1996 51.3 55
1995 52 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Latvia
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
64.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
18.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
4.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$40.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$42,660
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$5.14B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
98/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$257M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
20.9%
2024

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/latvia | 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.