Skip to content

Economy of China vs Russia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $2.17T for Russia, ranking 2/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $440B (20.3% of GDP) in Russia.

China vs Russia GDP by year

China
Russia
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Russia
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $2,173,835,806,672
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $2,071,505,725,031
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $2,291,612,121,335
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $1,829,186,719,575
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $1,493,075,894,362
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $1,693,115,002,708
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $1,657,328,773,461
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $1,574,199,360,089
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $1,276,786,350,881
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $1,363,482,182,198
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $2,059,241,589,895
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $2,292,470,078,346
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $2,208,293,553,878
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $2,045,922,753,398
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $1,524,916,715,224
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $1,222,645,900,056
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $1,660,848,058,303
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $1,299,703,478,482
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $989,932,071,353
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $764,015,973,481
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $591,016,690,732
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $430,347,420,185
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $345,470,494,418
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $306,602,070,621
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $259,710,142,197
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $195,907,128,351
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $270,955,486,862
1997 $967,753,570,435 $404,928,954,192
1996 $868,523,936,530 $391,724,890,744
1995 $738,190,896,228 $395,537,185,735
1994 $566,929,539,493 $395,077,301,248
1993 $446,557,291,212 $435,083,713,851
1992 $428,502,354,788 $460,290,556,901
1991 $384,510,452,962 $517,962,962,963
1990 $361,560,229,446 $517,014,446,228
1989 $348,380,566,802 $506,631,299,735
1988 $312,888,888,889 $554,828,660,436
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/russia | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Russia by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Russia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $15,145 $47,405
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $14,403 $44,269
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $15,888 $40,939
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $12,637 $38,638
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $10,280 $31,491
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $11,640 $30,964
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $11,399 $28,629
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $10,835 $25,778
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $8,804 $24,012
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $9,427 $23,994
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $14,277 $25,688
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $15,941 $26,020
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $15,402 $24,274
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $14,305 $22,790
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $10,675 $20,490
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $8,563 $19,390
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $11,635 $20,164
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $9,101 $16,648
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $6,920 $14,912
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $5,323 $11,822
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $4,102 $10,227
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $2,975 $9,255
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $2,378 $8,037
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $2,100 $7,361
2000 $969 $2,964 $1,772 $6,825
1999 $881 $2,690 $1,331 $5,914
1998 $835 $2,483 $1,835 $5,465
1997 $787 $2,297 $2,738 $5,700
1996 $713 $2,088 $2,644 $5,518
1995 $613 $1,884 $2,666 $5,613
1994 $476 $1,680 $2,662 $5,734
1993 $379 $1,471 $2,931 $6,420
1992 $368 $1,276 $3,099 $6,862
1991 $334 $1,105 $3,490 $7,858
1990 $319 $991 $3,494 $8,028
1989 $311 - $3,430 -
1988 $284 - $3,778 -
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/russia | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $15,145 in Russia, ranking 68/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Russia ranks 50th at $47,405.

Economic indicators

China Russia
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$2.17T
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
4.34%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$15,145
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
68/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$47,405
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
50/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$440B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
20.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$3,067
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
98/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$10,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$650B
2023
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
426,000
2025
Number of billionaires
450
2025
140
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
25.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
36.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
16%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
2.43%
2024
Population
1402578808
141906741

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Russia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Russia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 36.9% 20.3%
2023 32.7% 82% 35.7% 19.5%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 35.2% 18.5%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 34.9% 16.5%
2020 34.8% 69% 39.2% 19.2%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 33.8% 13.7%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 32.6% 13.6%
2017 32% 53.9% 34.8% 14.3%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 36.6% 14.8%
2015 31% 40.8% 35.3% 15.3%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 34.9% 15.1%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 34.7% 12.3%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 34% 11.2%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 33.3% 10.3%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 35.5% 10.1%
2009 25.2% 34% 38.6% 9.92%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 32% 7.45%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 31.9% 8.03%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 29% 9.8%
2005 18% 25.9% 29.5% 14.9%
2004 17.6% 26% 29.6% 20.8%
2003 18% 26.4% 32.6% 28.3%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 33.8% 37.6%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 31.5% 44.4%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 30.7% 55.9%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 34.3% 92.4%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 39.7% 135.2%
1997 11.5% 20.4% - 51.5%
1996 11% 21.2% - 51.9%
1995 11.1% 21.4% - 53.7%
1994 12.4% - - 63.5%
1993 13.4% - - 92.4%
1992 14.6% - - 116%
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 (1982–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Russia spent $802B, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 20.3% in Russia, ranking 34/185 and 175/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Russia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Russia
2024 -7.34% -1.6%
2023 -6.71% -2.22%
2022 -7.32% -1.34%
2021 -5.9% 0.78%
2020 -9.56% -3.99%
2019 -6% 1.93%
2018 -4.2% 2.92%
2017 -3.34% -1.47%
2016 -3.33% -3.67%
2015 -2.5% -3.39%
2014 -0.67% -1.07%
2013 -0.82% -1.16%
2012 -0.3% 0.38%
2011 -0.1% 1.43%
2010 -0.36% -3.19%
2009 -1.72% -5.89%
2008 -0.02% 4.55%
2007 0.06% 5.59%
2006 -1.13% 7.8%
2005 -1.38% 7.6%
2004 -1.49% 4.57%
2003 -2.36% 1.35%
2002 -2.84% 0.67%
2001 -2.56% 2.99%
2000 -2.81% 3.11%
1999 -2.3% -3.59%
1998 -1.08% -7.42%
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% -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - 0.15%
1939 - 0.12%
1938 - 0.16%
1937 - 0.12%
1936 - 0.1%
1935 - 0.07%
1934 - 0.25%
1933 - 0.58%
1932 - 0.06%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - -1.62%
1929 - -0.4%
1928 - -0.4%
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 - 0.69%
1911 - 1.26%
1910 - 1.52%
1909 - -0.15%
1908 - -0.83%
1907 - -0.86%
1906 - -3.19%
1905 - -7.72%
1904 - -5.13%
1903 - 1.04%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - 0.14%
1900 - -0.36%
1899 - 0.66%
1898 - 0.03%
1897 - 0.34%
1896 - 1.3%
1895 - 0.7%
1894 - 1.43%
1893 - 0.63%
1892 - -1.16%
1891 - -0.97%
1890 - 0.01%
1889 - 1.34%
1888 - 0.88%
1887 - 0.14%
1886 - -0.84%
1885 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/russia | 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 Russia's deficit of $34.9B, or 1.6% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Russia ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.89% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.21% of GDP for Russia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Russia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Russia
2024 0.2% 8.4%
2023 0.2% 5.9%
2022 2% 13.7%
2021 0.9% 6.7%
2020 2.5% 3.4%
2019 2.9% 4.5%
2018 2.1% 2.9%
2017 1.6% 3.7%
2016 2% 7%
2015 1.5% 15.5%
2014 2% 7.8%
2013 2.7% 6.8%
2012 2.6% 5.1%
2011 5.4% 8.4%
2010 3.3% 6.8%
2009 -0.7% 11.6%
2008 5.9% 14.1%
2007 4.7% 9%
2006 1.5% 9.7%
2005 1.8% 12.7%
2004 3.9% 10.9%
2003 1.1% 13.7%
2002 -0.8% 15.8%
2001 0.7% 21.5%
2000 0.4% 20.8%
1999 -1.4% 85.7%
1998 -0.8% 27.7%
1997 2.8% 14.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 13.4% in Russia. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 8.4% in Russia.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $72.8B
Textiles & consumer goods $16.3B
Chemicals & pharma $9.78B
Metals $5.9B
Raw materials & minerals $4.25B
Miscellaneous $2.01B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.42B
Wood & paper products $1.18B
Raw agricultural goods $1.13B
Transport & tourism services $836M
Russia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $50.6B
Wood & paper products $5.11B
Metals $3.86B
Miscellaneous $2.37B
Machinery & equipment $2.31B
Animal & marine products $1.49B
Transport & tourism services $1.47B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.22B
Chemicals & pharma $955M
Manufacturing & construction services $768M

Balance of trade

China Russia
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$63.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
12/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+2.91%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$302B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$434B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$81.5B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$43.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
21.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Russia
Economic freedom 48.3 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 161/197
Property rights 40.9 18.6
Government integrity 42.3 22.8
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 22.8
Tax burden 69.3 81.9
Government spending 67.8 61.3
Fiscal health 4.4 94.4
Business freedom 68.7 51.4
Labor freedom 57.9 59.1
Monetary freedom 76.1 61.8
Trade freedom 73.4 69.4
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Russia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Russia
2026 48.3 50.3
2025 49 51.6
2024 48.5 52
2023 48.3 53.8
2022 48 56.1
2021 58.4 61.5
2020 59.5 61
2019 58.4 58.9
2018 57.8 58.2
2017 57.4 57.1
2016 52 50.6
2015 52.7 52.1
2014 52.5 51.9
2013 51.9 51.1
2012 51.2 50.5
2011 52 50.5
2010 51 50.3
2009 53.2 50.8
2008 53.1 49.8
2007 52 52.2
2006 53.6 52.4
2005 53.7 51.3
2004 52.5 52.8
2003 52.6 50.8
2002 52.8 48.7
2001 52.6 49.8
2000 56.4 51.8
1999 54.8 54.5
1998 53.1 52.8
1997 51.7 48.6
1996 51.3 51.6
1995 52 51.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 50.3 for Russia, ranking 161/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Russia
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
30.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
2.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$2.24T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$46,780
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$597B
2023
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
6/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
$9.37B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
-$9.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
-$170M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
2.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
12.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
26.3%
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/russia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2016–2024, 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.