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Economy of China vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $407B for Pakistan, ranking 2/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $297B (72.8% of GDP) in Pakistan.

China vs Pakistan GDP by year

China
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Pakistan
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 $407,307,214,476
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $371,747,087,751
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $336,686,348,609
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $374,890,295,667
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $348,516,647,445
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $300,425,609,818
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $320,909,472,771
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $356,128,166,705
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $339,205,534,861
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $313,630,000,130
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $299,963,590,535
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $271,390,474,858
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $258,657,231,672
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $250,106,966,105
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $230,586,581,060
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $196,709,621,850
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $187,337,783,856
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $202,203,748,584
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $184,140,869,997
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $161,871,385,506
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $145,208,562,961
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $132,216,048,339
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $112,371,913,741
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $97,923,302,809
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $97,145,618,480
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $99,484,802,345
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $62,973,857,069
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $62,191,955,814
1997 $967,753,570,435 $62,433,340,468
1996 $868,523,936,530 $63,320,170,084
1995 $738,190,896,228 $60,636,071,684
1994 $566,929,539,493 $52,293,470,813
1993 $446,557,291,212 $51,809,999,353
1992 $428,502,354,788 $48,884,671,947
1991 $384,510,452,962 $45,625,336,680
1990 $361,560,229,446 $40,010,423,970
1989 $348,380,566,802 $40,171,106,279
1988 $312,888,888,889 $38,472,742,808
1987 $273,455,156,951 $33,351,529,275
1986 $301,310,144,928 $31,899,070,056
1985 $310,064,625,850 $31,144,920,844
1984 $260,442,857,143 $31,151,825,467
1983 $231,130,268,199 $28,691,889,764
1982 $205,480,916,031 $30,725,971,564
1981 $196,218,253,968 $28,100,606,061
1980 $191,487,500,000 $23,654,444,444
1979 $178,573,913,043 $19,688,383,838
1978 $149,788,617,886 $17,811,515,152
1977 $175,226,595,860 $15,126,060,606
1976 $154,196,810,059 $13,168,080,808
1975 $163,687,619,736 $11,230,606,061
1974 $144,418,433,058 $8,899,191,919
1973 $138,764,340,892 $6,383,429,490
1972 $113,871,930,714 $9,415,016,360
1971 $99,959,013,880 $10,665,896,682
1970 $92,752,930,873 $10,027,509,450
1969 $79,847,786,729 $8,683,116,338
1968 $70,980,323,819 $8,041,999,160
1967 $73,011,350,596 $7,464,510,710
1966 $76,854,053,259 $6,561,108,778
1965 $70,565,994,356 $5,929,231,415
1964 $59,821,862,703 $5,204,955,901
1963 $50,812,227,919 $4,630,827,383
1962 $47,310,737,754 $4,310,163,797
1961 $50,162,299,350 $4,118,647,627
1960 $59,846,235,025 $3,749,265,015

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in China vs Pakistan by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - $1,596 -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $987 $3,786
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $964 $3,777
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $998 $3,672
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $901 $3,515
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $828 $3,293
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $772 $3,048
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $672 $2,822
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $600 $2,688
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $610 $2,644
2000 $969 $2,964 $642 $2,565
1999 $881 $2,690 $418 $2,475
1998 $835 $2,483 $424 $2,419
1997 $787 $2,297 $438 $2,398
1996 $713 $2,088 $457 $2,401
1995 $613 $1,884 $451 $2,315
1994 $476 $1,680 $400 $2,224
1993 $379 $1,471 $408 $2,160
1992 $368 $1,276 $396 $2,132
1991 $334 $1,105 $380 $1,992
1990 $319 $991 $344 $1,895
1989 $311 - $358 -
1988 $284 - $354 -
1987 $252.3 - $317 -
1986 $282.4 - $314 -
1985 $295 - $317 -
1984 $251.2 - $327 -
1983 $225.9 - $311 -
1982 $203.7 - $345 -
1981 $197.4 - $328 -
1980 $195.1 - $287.4 -
1979 $184.3 - $249.2 -
1978 $156.7 - $233.4 -
1977 $185.7 - $204.7 -
1976 $165.7 - $183.9 -
1975 $178.6 - $161.7 -
1974 $160.4 - $132 -
1973 $157.3 - $97.5 -
1972 $132.1 - $148.1 -
1971 $118.8 - $172.5 -
1970 $113.3 - $166.7 -
1969 $100.3 - $148.5 -
1968 $91.6 - $141.6 -
1967 $96.8 - $135.2 -
1966 $104.5 - $122.2 -
1965 $98.7 - $113.6 -
1964 $85.7 - $102.5 -
1963 $74.5 - $93.7 -
1962 $71.1 - $89.5 -
1961 $76 - $87.8 -
1960 $89.7 - $82 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $1,596 in Pakistan, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

China Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$407B
2025
GDP rank
2/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
3.7%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$1,596
2025
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
164/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$297B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
72.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$1,162
2025
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
138/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$1,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
$70.3B
2025
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
27.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
3.55%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
11.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
6.96%
2025
Population
1403335670
261421997

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% 21.2% 72.8%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 19.4% 70.2%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 20% 77.3%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 32% 53.9% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 31.7% 50% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 31% 40.8% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 25.2% 34% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 18% 49.5%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 18% 25.9% 13% 47.9%
2004 17.6% 26% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 18% 26.4% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 11% 21.2% 15% 52.5%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 14% 52.3%
1994 12.4% - 14.5% 58.5%
1993 13.4% - 17% 57.9%
1992 14.6% - 22.6% 53.3%
1991 16.5% - 21.4% 55.8%
1990 18.2% - 23.9% 48.3%
1989 18.6% - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 20.9% 4.46% 27.9% 45%
1987 23.4% 3.6% 29.5% 44.4%
1986 25.6% 3.24% 27.6% 43.1%
1985 25.8% 3.31% 28.3% 37%
1984 26.9% 0.97% 25.4% 33.4%
1983 28.3% - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 27.9% - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $86.4B, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 72.8% in Pakistan, ranking 26/185 and 53/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Pakistan
2025 -7.87% -5.37%
2024 -7.11% -6.79%
2023 -6.71% -7.76%
2022 -7.32% -7.84%
2021 -5.9% -6.04%
2020 -9.56% -7.03%
2019 -6% -7.79%
2018 -4.2% -5.67%
2017 -3.34% -5.17%
2016 -3.33% -3.92%
2015 -2.5% -4.74%
2014 -0.67% -4.37%
2013 -0.82% -7.48%
2012 -0.3% -7.74%
2011 -0.1% -6.23%
2010 -0.36% -5.42%
2009 -1.72% -4.53%
2008 -0.02% -5.94%
2007 0.06% -4.23%
2006 -1.13% -2.79%
2005 -1.38% -2.29%
2004 -1.49% -1.29%
2003 -2.36% -0.12%
2002 -2.84% -2.64%
2001 -2.56% -2.45%
2000 -2.81% -3.21%
1999 -2.3% -3.07%
1998 -1.08% -4.46%
1997 -0.73% -3.87%
1996 -0.73% -4.33%
1995 -0.94% -3.9%
1994 -1.68% -3.63%
1993 -0.89% -5.53%
1992 -1.22% -11.3%
1991 -1.04% -10.8%
1990 -0.72% -11.9%
1989 -0.91% -7.01%
1988 -2.22% -9.35%
1987 -2.08% -11.7%
1986 -1.82% -9.79%
1985 -0.45% -10.6%
1984 -1.44% -8.9%
1983 -1.61% -7.55%
1982 -1.33% -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53T, equivalent to 7.87% of GDP. This compares to Pakistan's deficit of $21.9B, or 5.37% of GDP.

Over the past 44 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 43 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 44 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.02% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Pakistan
2025 0% 3.55%
2024 0.2% 12.6%
2023 0.2% 30.8%
2022 2% 19.9%
2021 0.9% 9.5%
2020 2.5% 9.74%
2019 2.9% 10.6%
2018 2.1% 5.08%
2017 1.6% 4.09%
2016 2% 3.77%
2015 1.4% 2.53%
2014 2% 7.19%
2013 2.6% 7.69%
2012 2.6% 9.68%
2011 5.4% 11.9%
2010 3.3% 12.9%
2009 -0.7% 13.6%
2008 5.8% 20.3%
2007 4.8% 7.6%
2006 1.5% 7.92%
2005 1.8% 9.06%
2004 3.9% 7.44%
2003 1.2% 2.91%
2002 -0.8% 3.29%
2001 0.7% 3.15%
2000 0.4% 4.37%
1999 -1.4% 4.14%
1998 -0.8% 6.23%
1997 2.8% 11.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 9.07% in Pakistan. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 3.55% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $10B
Textiles & consumer goods $4.66B
Chemicals & pharma $3.17B
Metals $2.68B
Raw materials & minerals $859M
Wood & paper products $326M
Miscellaneous $254M
Raw agricultural goods $253M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $135M
Precious metals & jewellery $48.4M
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Metals $828M
Textiles & consumer goods $542M
Raw materials & minerals $315M
Animal & marine products $271M
Raw agricultural goods $200M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $72M
Machinery & equipment $32.1M
Chemicals & pharma $28.3M
Precious metals & jewellery $810K
Wood & paper products $287K

Balance of trade

China Pakistan
Current account balance
$735B
2025
-$448M
2025
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
102/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
-0.11%
2025
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$62.6B
2025
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$31.5B
2025
Service imports
$623B
2025
$12B
2025
Service exports
$385B
2025
$9.09B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
17.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
9.99%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

China Pakistan
Economic freedom 48.3 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 168/197
Property rights 40.9 25.7
Government integrity 42.3 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 27.6
Tax burden 69.3 78.2
Government spending 67.8 88.5
Fiscal health 4.4 10.1
Business freedom 68.7 54.4
Labor freedom 57.9 51.7
Monetary freedom 76.1 54.1
Trade freedom 73.4 70.4
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Pakistan
2026 48.3 48.9
2025 49 49.1
2024 48.5 49.5
2023 48.3 49.4
2022 48 48.8
2021 58.4 51.7
2020 59.5 54.8
2019 58.4 55
2018 57.8 54.4
2017 57.4 52.8
2016 52 55.9
2015 52.7 55.6
2014 52.5 55.2
2013 51.9 55.1
2012 51.2 54.7
2011 52 55.1
2010 51 55.2
2009 53.2 57
2008 53.1 55.6
2007 52 57.2
2006 53.6 57.9
2005 53.7 53.3
2004 52.5 54.9
2003 52.6 55
2002 52.8 55.8
2001 52.6 56
2000 56.4 56.4
1999 54.8 53
1998 53.1 53.2
1997 51.7 56
1996 51.3 58.4
1995 52 57.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
50.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$382B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$6,430
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$26.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
62/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$1.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
14.3%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.