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Economy of China vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 2/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

China vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

China
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Papua New Guinea
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $31,800,428,266
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $30,816,367,067
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $31,653,185,953
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $26,109,413,521
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $23,848,447,850
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $24,750,626,030
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $24,109,780,708
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $22,742,699,138
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $20,758,876,953
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $21,723,437,010
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $23,210,823,987
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $21,261,338,065
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $21,295,168,666
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $17,985,138,066
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $14,250,786,675
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $11,619,456,449
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $11,670,892,801
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $9,545,028,944
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $8,354,911,041
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $4,865,892,972
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $3,927,157,867
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $3,536,411,824
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $2,999,511,040
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $3,081,024,212
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $3,521,339,699
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $3,477,038,204
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $3,789,443,015
1997 $967,753,570,435 $4,936,615,299
1996 $868,523,936,530 $5,155,311,077
1995 $738,190,896,228 $4,636,057,476
1994 $566,929,539,493 $5,502,786,070
1993 $446,557,291,212 $4,974,550,286
1992 $428,502,354,788 $4,377,980,510
1991 $384,510,452,962 $3,787,394,958
1990 $361,560,229,446 $3,219,729,083
1989 $348,380,566,802 $3,546,472,566
1988 $312,888,888,889 $3,656,177,881
1987 $273,455,156,951 $3,143,851,794
1986 $301,310,144,928 $2,647,995,602
1985 $310,064,625,850 $2,423,339,172
1984 $260,442,857,143 $2,552,662,617
1983 $231,130,268,199 $2,562,351,551
1982 $205,480,916,031 $2,368,719,683
1981 $196,218,253,968 $2,498,190,847
1980 $191,487,500,000 $2,545,808,456
1979 $178,573,913,043 $2,293,760,511
1978 $149,788,617,886 $1,947,878,831
1977 $175,226,595,860 $1,640,746,619
1976 $154,196,810,059 $1,511,843,235
1975 $163,687,619,736 $1,356,603,608
1974 $144,418,433,058 $1,467,417,672
1973 $138,764,340,892 $1,299,079,410
1972 $113,871,930,714 $858,761,926
1971 $99,959,013,880 $717,750,278
1970 $92,752,930,873 $645,568,215
1969 $79,847,786,729 $551,263,864
1968 $70,980,323,819 $485,184,190
1967 $73,011,350,596 $441,728,183
1966 $76,854,053,259 $390,992,063
1965 $70,565,994,356 $344,176,055
1964 $59,821,862,703 $305,312,049
1963 $50,812,227,919 $275,968,044
1962 $47,310,737,754 $261,184,042
1961 $50,162,299,350 $244,832,039
1960 $59,846,235,025 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Papua New Guinea by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $744 $2,322
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $621 $2,187
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $577 $2,142
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $506 $2,125
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $538 $2,168
2000 $969 $2,964 $636 $2,196
1999 $881 $2,690 $650 $2,280
1998 $835 $2,483 $733 $2,285
1997 $787 $2,297 $990 $2,432
1996 $713 $2,088 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $613 $1,884 $998 $2,436
1994 $476 $1,680 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $379 $1,471 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $334 $1,105 $942 $1,869
1990 $319 $991 $826 $1,703
1989 $311 - $934 -
1988 $284 - $985 -
1987 $252.3 - $865 -
1986 $282.4 - $745 -
1985 $295 - $697 -
1984 $251.2 - $750 -
1983 $225.9 - $769 -
1982 $203.7 - $726 -
1981 $197.4 - $781 -
1980 $195.1 - $813 -
1979 $184.3 - $748 -
1978 $156.7 - $648 -
1977 $185.7 - $558 -
1976 $165.7 - $525 -
1975 $178.6 - $482 -
1974 $160.4 - $533 -
1973 $157.3 - $483 -
1972 $132.1 - $327 -
1971 $118.8 - $279.7 -
1970 $113.3 - $257.6 -
1969 $100.3 - $225.3 -
1968 $91.6 - $202.9 -
1967 $96.8 - $189 -
1966 $104.5 - $171.1 -
1965 $98.7 - $153.9 -
1964 $85.7 - $139.5 -
1963 $74.5 - $128.9 -
1962 $71.1 - $124.7 -
1961 $76 - $119.7 -
1960 $89.7 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

China Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$1.68B
2017
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
2.69%
2022
Population
1402578808
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 32.7% 82% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 22% 52.6%
2020 34.8% 69% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 32% 53.9% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 31% 40.8% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 25.2% 34% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 18% 22.2%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 19.4% 26%
2005 18% 25.9% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 17.6% 26% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 18% 26.4% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 20% 45.7%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 11% 21.2% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 12.4% - 19.3% 40.1%
1993 13.4% - 23.5% 30%
1992 14.6% - 22.8% 30.4%
1991 16.5% - 22.4% -
1990 18.2% - 24.5% -
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 (1982–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 34/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Papua New Guinea
2024 -7.34% -3.23%
2023 -6.71% -4.34%
2022 -7.32% -5.25%
2021 -5.9% -6.84%
2020 -9.56% -8.85%
2019 -6% -4.98%
2018 -4.2% -2.58%
2017 -3.34% -2.47%
2016 -3.33% -4.75%
2015 -2.5% -4.55%
2014 -0.67% -6.27%
2013 -0.82% -6.87%
2012 -0.3% -1.19%
2011 -0.1% 2.22%
2010 -0.36% 3.06%
2009 -1.72% -5.48%
2008 -0.02% 2.73%
2007 0.06% 6.9%
2006 -1.13% 5.34%
2005 -1.38% 2.85%
2004 -1.49% 2.03%
2003 -2.36% 0.19%
2002 -2.84% -1.75%
2001 -2.56% -1.33%
2000 -2.81% 0.3%
1999 -2.3% -1.94%
1998 -1.08% -0.16%
1997 -0.73% 0.67%
1996 -0.73% 2.05%
1995 -0.94% 1.08%
1994 -1.68% -1.01%
1993 -0.89% -4.9%
1992 -1.22% -4.33%
1991 -1.04% -0.62%
1990 -0.72% -2.04%
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/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Papua New Guinea
2024 0.2% 0.6%
2023 0.2% 2.3%
2022 2% 5.25%
2021 0.9% 4.48%
2020 2.5% 4.87%
2019 2.9% 3.93%
2018 2.1% 4.37%
2017 1.6% 5.42%
2016 2% 6.67%
2015 1.5% 6%
2014 2% 5.22%
2013 2.7% 4.96%
2012 2.6% 4.54%
2011 5.4% 4.44%
2010 3.3% 6.01%
2009 -0.7% 6.92%
2008 5.9% 10.8%
2007 4.7% 0.91%
2006 1.5% 2.37%
2005 1.8% 1.78%
2004 3.9% 2.16%
2003 1.1% 14.7%
2002 -0.8% 11.8%
2001 0.7% 9.3%
2000 0.4% 15.6%
1999 -1.4% 14.9%
1998 -0.8% 13.6%
1997 2.8% 3.96%

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $400M
Textiles & consumer goods $283M
Metals $223M
Chemicals & pharma $146M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $80.8M
Raw materials & minerals $76.3M
Wood & paper products $43.3M
Raw agricultural goods $41.9M
Miscellaneous $28.9M
Animal & marine products $4.86M
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.42B
Metals $311M
Wood & paper products $181M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.3M
Raw agricultural goods $8M
Animal & marine products $7.09M
Chemicals & pharma $658K
Machinery & equipment $91K
Miscellaneous $50K
Textiles & consumer goods $22K

Balance of trade

China Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

China Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 48.3 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 134/197
Property rights 40.9 45
Government integrity 42.3 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 41.1
Tax burden 69.3 70.9
Government spending 67.8 86.1
Fiscal health 4.4 65.3
Business freedom 68.7 34.2
Labor freedom 57.9 65.1
Monetary freedom 76.1 77.4
Trade freedom 73.4 80.2
Investment freedom 20 25
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Papua New Guinea
2026 48.3 54.3
2025 49 52.5
2024 48.5 49.4
2023 48.3 51.7
2022 48 54.6
2021 58.4 58.9
2020 59.5 58.4
2019 58.4 58.4
2018 57.8 55.7
2017 57.4 50.9
2016 52 53.2
2015 52.7 53.1
2014 52.5 53.9
2013 51.9 53.6
2012 51.2 53.8
2011 52 52.6
2010 51 53.5
2009 53.2 54.8
2008 53.1 -
2007 52 -
2006 53.6 -
2005 53.7 -
2004 52.5 -
2003 52.6 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 52.6 57.2
2000 56.4 55.8
1999 54.8 56.3
1998 53.1 55.2
1997 51.7 56.7
1996 51.3 58.6
1995 52 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | 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 (1982–1993, 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.