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Economy of China vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 2/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

China vs Poland GDP by year

China
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Poland
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $917,767,106,147
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $812,451,193,396
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $695,607,470,875
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $689,170,230,665
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $605,914,237,904
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $602,683,770,145
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $594,616,687,350
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $528,356,676,667
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $473,259,583,970
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $480,054,118,583
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $542,134,167,179
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $518,179,836,405
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $498,148,649,703
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $527,848,543,023
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $478,111,630,684
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $440,891,472,247
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $535,612,030,672
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $429,715,132,138
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $345,897,630,736
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $306,999,913,151
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $256,268,656,145
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $218,561,225,998
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $199,694,463,256
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $191,823,200,371
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $172,953,527,033
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $170,704,452,715
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $175,282,269,667
1997 $967,753,570,435 $159,893,964,917
1996 $868,523,936,530 $160,813,026,223
1995 $738,190,896,228 $142,838,527,115
1994 $566,929,539,493 $110,803,635,288
1993 $446,557,291,212 $96,043,157,273
1992 $428,502,354,788 $94,337,050,693
1991 $384,510,452,962 $85,500,935,935
1990 $361,560,229,446 $65,977,748,211
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/poland | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Poland by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $969 $2,964 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $881 $2,690 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $835 $2,483 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $787 $2,297 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $713 $2,088 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $613 $1,884 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $476 $1,680 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $379 $1,471 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $368 $1,276 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $334 $1,105 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $319 $991 $1,731 $6,185
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/poland | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

China Poland
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$197B
2024
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
2.81%
2024
Population
1402578808
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 32.7% 82% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 43.6% 53%
2020 34.8% 69% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 41% 48.2%
2017 32% 53.9% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 31% 40.8% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 46% 53.7%
2009 25.2% 34% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 44% 46.6%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 18% 25.9% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 17.6% 26% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 18% 26.4% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 44% 38.7%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 11% 21.2% 50.7% 43.2%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 47.5% 48.7%
1994 12.4% - - 64.3%
1993 13.4% - - 83.9%
1992 14.6% - - 81.9%
1991 16.5% - - 76.9%
1990 18.2% - - 89.7%
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% - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 34/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Poland
2024 -7.34% -6.59%
2023 -6.71% -5.27%
2022 -7.32% -3.44%
2021 -5.9% -1.75%
2020 -9.56% -6.85%
2019 -6% -0.73%
2018 -4.2% -0.24%
2017 -3.34% -1.49%
2016 -3.33% -2.38%
2015 -2.5% -2.59%
2014 -0.67% -3.66%
2013 -0.82% -4.25%
2012 -0.3% -3.8%
2011 -0.1% -4.97%
2010 -0.36% -7.43%
2009 -1.72% -7.24%
2008 -0.02% -3.6%
2007 0.06% -1.88%
2006 -1.13% -3.53%
2005 -1.38% -3.93%
2004 -1.49% -4.99%
2003 -2.36% -6.02%
2002 -2.84% -4.8%
2001 -2.56% -4.73%
2000 -2.81% -4%
1999 -2.3% -2.3%
1998 -1.08% -4.25%
1997 -0.73% -4.61%
1996 -0.73% -4.84%
1995 -0.94% -4.39%
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/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.68% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Poland
2024 0.2% 3.78%
2023 0.2% 11.5%
2022 2% 14.4%
2021 0.9% 5.06%
2020 2.5% 3.37%
2019 2.9% 2.23%
2018 2.1% 1.81%
2017 1.6% 2.08%
2016 2% -0.66%
2015 1.5% -0.87%
2014 2% 0.05%
2013 2.7% 0.99%
2012 2.6% 3.56%
2011 5.4% 4.24%
2010 3.3% 2.58%
2009 -0.7% 3.8%
2008 5.9% 4.16%
2007 4.7% 2.46%
2006 1.5% 1.28%
2005 1.8% 2.18%
2004 3.9% 3.38%
2003 1.1% 0.68%
2002 -0.8% 1.91%
2001 0.7% 5.41%
2000 0.4% 9.9%
1999 -1.4% 7.15%
1998 -0.8% 11.6%
1997 2.8% 14.9%

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/poland | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $21.7B
Textiles & consumer goods $9.31B
Chemicals & pharma $3.2B
Metals $2.41B
Raw materials & minerals $1.17B
Miscellaneous $1.05B
Wood & paper products $483M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $277M
Raw agricultural goods $119M
Animal & marine products $111M
Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.55B
Metals $727M
Textiles & consumer goods $395M
Chemicals & pharma $342M
Wood & paper products $227M
Raw materials & minerals $148M
Animal & marine products $133M
Manufacturing & construction services $105M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $39.8M
Transport & tourism services $12.2M

Balance of trade

China Poland
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Poland
Economic freedom 48.3 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 46/197
Property rights 40.9 71.8
Government integrity 42.3 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 62.5
Tax burden 69.3 72.7
Government spending 67.8 35.1
Fiscal health 4.4 74.8
Business freedom 68.7 77.5
Labor freedom 57.9 53.7
Monetary freedom 76.1 73.8
Trade freedom 73.4 79.4
Investment freedom 20 80
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Poland
2026 48.3 68.5
2025 49 67.1
2024 48.5 66
2023 48.3 67.7
2022 48 68.7
2021 58.4 69.7
2020 59.5 69.1
2019 58.4 67.8
2018 57.8 68.5
2017 57.4 68.3
2016 52 69.3
2015 52.7 68.6
2014 52.5 67
2013 51.9 66
2012 51.2 64.2
2011 52 64.1
2010 51 63.2
2009 53.2 60.3
2008 53.1 60.3
2007 52 58.1
2006 53.6 59.3
2005 53.7 59.6
2004 52.5 58.7
2003 52.6 61.8
2002 52.8 65
2001 52.6 61.8
2000 56.4 60
1999 54.8 59.6
1998 53.1 59.2
1997 51.7 56.8
1996 51.3 57.8
1995 52 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Poland
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
17.8%
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/poland | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.