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Economy of China vs Nepal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $42.9B for Nepal, ranking 2/197 and 101/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $20.7B (48.3% of GDP) in Nepal.

China vs Nepal GDP by year

China
Nepal
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Nepal
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $42,914,268,287
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $41,047,772,331
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $41,182,939,601
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $36,924,841,394
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $33,433,659,301
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $34,186,180,699
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $33,111,525,237
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $28,971,588,940
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $24,524,109,484
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $24,360,801,287
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $22,731,612,922
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $22,162,204,925
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $21,703,100,877
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $21,573,872,421
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $16,002,656,434
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $12,854,985,464
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $12,545,438,605
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $10,325,618,017
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $9,043,715,356
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $8,130,258,378
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $7,273,938,315
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $6,330,473,097
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $6,050,875,807
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $6,007,055,042
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $5,494,252,208
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $5,033,642,384
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $4,856,255,044
1997 $967,753,570,435 $4,918,691,917
1996 $868,523,936,530 $4,521,580,381
1995 $738,190,896,228 $4,401,104,418
1994 $566,929,539,493 $4,066,775,510
1993 $446,557,291,212 $3,660,041,667
1992 $428,502,354,788 $3,401,211,581
1991 $384,510,452,962 $3,921,476,085
1990 $361,560,229,446 $3,627,560,239
1989 $348,380,566,802 $3,525,225,787
1988 $312,888,888,889 $3,487,009,748
1987 $273,455,156,951 $2,957,255,380
1986 $301,310,144,928 $2,850,782,044
1985 $310,064,625,850 $2,619,913,956
1984 $260,442,857,143 $2,581,207,388
1983 $231,130,268,199 $2,447,174,803
1982 $205,480,916,031 $2,395,423,742
1981 $196,218,253,968 $2,275,583,317
1980 $191,487,500,000 $1,945,916,583
1979 $178,573,913,043 $1,851,250,008
1978 $149,788,617,886 $1,604,162,497
1977 $175,226,595,860 $1,382,400,000
1976 $154,196,810,059 $1,452,788,985
1975 $163,687,619,736 $1,575,789,254
1974 $144,418,433,058 $1,217,953,547
1973 $138,764,340,892 $972,101,725
1972 $113,871,930,714 $1,024,098,400
1971 $99,959,013,880 $882,765,472
1970 $92,752,930,873 $865,975,309
1969 $79,847,786,729 $788,641,965
1968 $70,980,323,819 $772,231,387
1967 $73,011,350,596 $841,974,025
1966 $76,854,053,259 $906,811,944
1965 $70,565,994,356 $735,267,082
1964 $59,821,862,703 $496,098,775
1963 $50,812,227,919 $496,947,904
1962 $47,310,737,754 $574,091,101
1961 $50,162,299,350 $531,959,562
1960 $59,846,235,025 $508,334,414

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Nepal by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Nepal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $1,447 $5,737
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $1,382 $5,395
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $1,386 $5,103
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $1,253 $4,546
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $1,154 $4,236
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $1,203 $4,261
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $1,179 $3,956
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $1,034 $3,605
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $877 $2,976
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $876 $2,957
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $821 $2,901
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $803 $2,658
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $788 $2,466
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $786 $2,248
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $585 $2,139
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $473 $2,029
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $465 $1,942
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $385 $1,809
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $340 $1,718
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $309 $1,628
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $279.6 $1,542
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $246.4 $1,453
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $238.9 $1,390
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $240.8 $1,388
2000 $969 $2,964 $223.8 $1,317
1999 $881 $2,690 $208.6 $1,234
1998 $835 $2,483 $205.1 $1,187
1997 $787 $2,297 $211.8 $1,162
1996 $713 $2,088 $198.8 $1,110
1995 $613 $1,884 $197.8 $1,058
1994 $476 $1,680 $187.3 $1,026
1993 $379 $1,471 $172.8 $952
1992 $368 $1,276 $165 $920
1991 $334 $1,105 $195.7 $889
1990 $319 $991 $185.8 $830
1989 $311 - $185 -
1988 $284 - $187.1 -
1987 $252.3 - $162 -
1986 $282.4 - $159.5 -
1985 $295 - $149.9 -
1984 $251.2 - $151.1 -
1983 $225.9 - $146.6 -
1982 $203.7 - $147 -
1981 $197.4 - $142.9 -
1980 $195.1 - $125.1 -
1979 $184.3 - $121.9 -
1978 $156.7 - $108.1 -
1977 $185.7 - $95.3 -
1976 $165.7 - $102.5 -
1975 $178.6 - $113.6 -
1974 $160.4 - $89.8 -
1973 $157.3 - $73.2 -
1972 $132.1 - $78.8 -
1971 $118.8 - $69.5 -
1970 $113.3 - $69.6 -
1969 $100.3 - $64.8 -
1968 $91.6 - $64.9 -
1967 $96.8 - $72.3 -
1966 $104.5 - $79.5 -
1965 $98.7 - $65.8 -
1964 $85.7 - $45.3 -
1963 $74.5 - $46.3 -
1962 $71.1 - $54.6 -
1961 $76 - $51.6 -
1960 $89.7 - $50.2 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $1,447 in Nepal, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737.

Economic indicators

China Nepal
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$42.9B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
101/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
3.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$1,447
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$5,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
155/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$20.7B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
48.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$700
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
154/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$2,170
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
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
24.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
22.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
4.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
10.7%
2017
Population
1402578808
29596762

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Nepal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Nepal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 22.1% 48.3%
2023 32.7% 82% 25.1% 47%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 26.1% 42.7%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 27.2% 43.3%
2020 34.8% 69% 28.5% 43.3%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 27.1% 34%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 28% 31.1%
2017 32% 53.9% 23.6% 25%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 19% 25%
2015 31% 40.8% 17.7% 25.7%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 16.6% 27.6%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 15.5% 31.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 16.8% 34.5%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 16.3% 32.4%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 16.5% 35.4%
2009 25.2% 34% 17% 39.5%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 13.4% 36.8%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 13.1% 37.9%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 11.2% 42.9%
2005 18% 25.9% 12% 45.1%
2004 17.6% 26% 11.8% 51.3%
2003 18% 26.4% 12% 53%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 13% 51.8%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 12.9% 50.8%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 11.4% 50.8%
1999 14.9% 21.6% - -
1998 12.6% 20.4% - -
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/nepal | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Nepal spent $9.5B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 48.3% in Nepal, ranking 34/185 and 112/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Nepal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Nepal
2024 -7.34% -2.76%
2023 -6.71% -5.81%
2022 -7.32% -3.12%
2021 -5.9% -3.98%
2020 -9.56% -7.47%
2019 -6% -4.27%
2018 -4.2% -5.83%
2017 -3.34% -2.69%
2016 -3.33% 1.2%
2015 -2.5% 0.46%
2014 -0.67% 1.36%
2013 -0.82% 1.57%
2012 -0.3% -1.18%
2011 -0.1% -0.72%
2010 -0.36% -0.67%
2009 -1.72% -2.24%
2008 -0.02% -0.29%
2007 0.06% -0.67%
2006 -1.13% 0.24%
2005 -1.38% 0.24%
2004 -1.49% -0.14%
2003 -2.36% -0.34%
2002 -2.84% -2.46%
2001 -2.56% -2.35%
2000 -2.81% -1.48%
1999 -2.3% -
1998 -1.08% -
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/nepal | 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 Nepal's deficit of $1.19B, or 2.76% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Nepal ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.74% of GDP for Nepal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Nepal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Nepal
2024 0.2% 4.69%
2023 0.2% 7.12%
2022 2% 7.67%
2021 0.9% 4.13%
2020 2.5% 5.06%
2019 2.9% 5.57%
2018 2.1% 4.41%
2017 1.6% 2.78%
2016 2% 8.79%
2015 1.5% 7.87%
2014 2% 8.36%
2013 2.7% 9.04%
2012 2.6% 9.46%
2011 5.4% 9.23%
2010 3.3% 9.33%
2009 -0.7% 11.1%
2008 5.9% 9.91%
2007 4.7% 2.27%
2006 1.5% 6.92%
2005 1.8% 6.84%
2004 3.9% 2.84%
2003 1.1% 5.71%
2002 -0.8% 3.03%
2001 0.7% 2.69%
2000 0.4% 2.48%
1999 -1.4% 7.45%
1998 -0.8% 11.2%
1997 2.8% 4.01%

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/nepal | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 6.43% in Nepal. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 4.69% in Nepal.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $851M
Textiles & consumer goods $762M
Raw agricultural goods $163M
Chemicals & pharma $121M
Metals $97.1M
Raw materials & minerals $53.7M
Miscellaneous $44.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33.5M
Wood & paper products $22.9M
Precious metals & jewellery $9.95M
Nepal
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $3.22M
Precious metals & jewellery $980K
Machinery & equipment $642K
Raw agricultural goods $391K
Metals $380K
Animal & marine products $216K
Wood & paper products $97K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $90K
Chemicals & pharma $76K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

China Nepal
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
50/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$12.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$1.54B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$2.27B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$1.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
7.62%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Nepal
Economic freedom 48.3 52.9
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 144/197
Property rights 40.9 38.8
Government integrity 42.3 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 42.9
Tax burden 69.3 84.3
Government spending 67.8 82.1
Fiscal health 4.4 71
Business freedom 68.7 60.8
Labor freedom 57.9 48.2
Monetary freedom 76.1 69.4
Trade freedom 73.4 58.6
Investment freedom 20 10
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Nepal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Nepal
2026 48.3 52.9
2025 49 52.5
2024 48.5 52.1
2023 48.3 51.4
2022 48 49.7
2021 58.4 50.7
2020 59.5 54.2
2019 58.4 53.8
2018 57.8 54.1
2017 57.4 55.1
2016 52 50.9
2015 52.7 51.3
2014 52.5 50.1
2013 51.9 50.4
2012 51.2 50.2
2011 52 50.1
2010 51 52.7
2009 53.2 53.2
2008 53.1 54.1
2007 52 54.4
2006 53.6 53.7
2005 53.7 51.4
2004 52.5 51.2
2003 52.6 51.5
2002 52.8 52.3
2001 52.6 51.6
2000 56.4 51.3
1999 54.8 53.1
1998 53.1 53.5
1997 51.7 53.6
1996 51.3 50.3
1995 52 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 52.9 for Nepal, ranking 144/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Nepal
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
55.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
11.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
21.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$5,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$12.5B
2023
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
74/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$56.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$56.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
20.3%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
30.4%
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/nepal | 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 (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.