Skip to content

Economy of China vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 2/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

China vs Venezuela GDP by year

China
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Venezuela
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $119,802,963,258
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $102,376,526,556
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $89,013,255,585
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $56,614,976,855
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $42,838,020,721
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $73,014,084,091
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $102,021,093,965
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $115,883,275,163
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $112,915,034,262
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $125,449,241,571
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $214,689,614,733
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $258,930,655,486
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $372,592,062,768
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $316,482,190,800
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $393,192,354,511
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $329,787,628,928
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $315,953,388,511
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $230,364,012,576
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $183,477,522,124
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $145,513,489,652
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $112,451,400,425
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $83,620,628,582
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $92,893,587,734
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $122,911,036,747
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $117,146,466,003
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $97,972,842,462
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $91,336,763,255
1997 $967,753,570,435 $85,837,678,560
1996 $868,523,936,530 $70,543,211,119
1995 $738,190,896,228 $77,389,487,770
1994 $566,929,539,493 $58,418,666,667
1993 $446,557,291,212 $60,037,460,783
1992 $428,502,354,788 $60,416,519,620
1991 $384,510,452,962 $53,453,444,787
1990 $361,560,229,446 $48,606,952,195
1989 $348,380,566,802 $43,536,709,104
1988 $312,888,888,889 $60,226,413,793
1987 $273,455,156,951 $48,029,034,483
1986 $301,310,144,928 $60,516,123,711
1985 $310,064,625,850 $61,965,466,667
1984 $260,442,857,143 $59,867,743,468
1983 $231,130,268,199 $67,556,279,070
1982 $205,480,916,031 $67,736,744,186
1981 $196,218,253,968 $66,327,441,860
1980 $191,487,500,000 $59,116,511,628
1979 $178,573,913,043 $48,310,930,233
1978 $149,788,617,886 $39,316,279,070
1977 $175,226,595,860 $36,210,697,674
1976 $154,196,810,059 $31,419,534,884
1975 $163,687,619,736 $27,464,651,163
1974 $144,418,433,058 $26,100,930,233
1973 $138,764,340,892 $17,035,581,395
1972 $113,871,930,714 $13,977,727,273
1971 $99,959,013,880 $12,986,590,909
1970 $92,752,930,873 $11,561,111,111
1969 $79,847,786,729 $10,285,111,111
1968 $70,980,323,819 $10,034,444,444
1967 $73,011,350,596 $9,250,000,000
1966 $76,854,053,259 $8,781,333,333
1965 $70,565,994,356 $8,427,777,778
1964 $59,821,862,703 $8,192,413,793
1963 $50,812,227,919 $9,608,717,288
1962 $47,310,737,754 $8,814,309,884
1961 $50,162,299,350 $8,067,267,031
1960 $59,846,235,025 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Venezuela by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $4,218 -
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $3,617 -
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $3,155 -
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $2,005 -
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $1,506 -
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $2,523 -
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $3,423 -
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $3,791 -
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $3,670 -
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $4,103 -
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $7,096 -
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $8,656 -
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $12,607 -
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $969 $2,964 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $881 $2,690 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $835 $2,483 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $787 $2,297 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $713 $2,088 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $613 $1,884 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $476 $1,680 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $379 $1,471 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $368 $1,276 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $334 $1,105 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $319 $991 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $311 - $2,250 -
1988 $284 - $3,191 -
1987 $252.3 - $2,611 -
1986 $282.4 - $3,376 -
1985 $295 - $3,549 -
1984 $251.2 - $3,520 -
1983 $225.9 - $4,079 -
1982 $203.7 - $4,202 -
1981 $197.4 - $4,228 -
1980 $195.1 - $3,874 -
1979 $184.3 - $3,257 -
1978 $156.7 - $2,727 -
1977 $185.7 - $2,585 -
1976 $165.7 - $2,309 -
1975 $178.6 - $2,078 -
1974 $160.4 - $2,034 -
1973 $157.3 - $1,367 -
1972 $132.1 - $1,155 -
1971 $118.8 - $1,106 -
1970 $113.3 - $1,015 -
1969 $100.3 - $932 -
1968 $91.6 - $938 -
1967 $96.8 - $893 -
1966 $104.5 - $876 -
1965 $98.7 - $869 -
1964 $85.7 - $874 -
1963 $74.5 - $1,060 -
1962 $71.1 - $1,007 -
1961 $76 - $954 -
1960 $89.7 - $939 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

China Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$3.98B
2002
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
7.53%
2020
Population
1402578808
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 32.7% 82% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 34.8% 69% 11.2% 337%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 21% 206%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 32% 53.9% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 31% 40.8% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 38% 58.4%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 25.2% 34% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 18% 25.9% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 17.6% 26% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 18% 26.4% 32.2% 56%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 31% 48.2%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 31% 34.8%
1996 11% 21.2% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 12.4% - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 13.4% - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 14.6% - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 16.5% - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 18.2% - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 18.6% - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 20.9% 4.46% 33.2% 46.3%
1987 23.4% 3.6% 25.1% 58.3%
1986 25.6% 3.24% 21.5% 45.9%
1985 25.8% 3.31% 20.3% 34.1%
1984 26.9% 0.97% 19.7% 36.4%
1983 28.3% - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 27.9% - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 34/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Venezuela
2024 -7.34% -3.6%
2023 -6.71% -1.25%
2022 -7.32% -5.29%
2021 -5.9% -5.85%
2020 -9.56% -6.63%
2019 -6% -10.9%
2018 -4.2% -31%
2017 -3.34% -13.3%
2016 -3.33% -8.46%
2015 -2.5% -8.06%
2014 -0.67% -9.81%
2013 -0.82% -10.4%
2012 -0.3% -9.86%
2011 -0.1% -8.24%
2010 -0.36% -4.74%
2009 -1.72% -8.69%
2008 -0.02% -3.46%
2007 0.06% -2.82%
2006 -1.13% -1.6%
2005 -1.38% 4.09%
2004 -1.49% 2.47%
2003 -2.36% 0.17%
2002 -2.84% -1.48%
2001 -2.56% -4.59%
2000 -2.81% 4.45%
1999 -2.3% 0.74%
1998 -1.08% -4.49%
1997 -0.73% 2.58%
1996 -0.73% 7.94%
1995 -0.94% -5.86%
1994 -1.68% -11.2%
1993 -0.89% -2.92%
1992 -1.22% -6.37%
1991 -1.04% -2.28%
1990 -0.72% 3.84%
1989 -0.91% -0.91%
1988 -2.22% -9.24%
1987 -2.08% -7.47%
1986 -1.82% 0.82%
1985 -0.45% 6.97%
1984 -1.44% 5.33%
1983 -1.61% 1.24%
1982 -1.33% -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.96% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Venezuela
2024 0.2% 49%
2023 0.2% 338%
2022 2% 186.5%
2021 0.9% 1,589%
2020 2.5% 2,355%
2019 2.9% 19,906%
2018 2.1% 65,374%
2017 1.6% 438%
2016 2% 254.9%
2015 1.5% 121.7%
2014 2% 62.2%
2013 2.7% 40.6%
2012 2.6% 21.1%
2011 5.4% 26.1%
2010 3.3% 28.2%
2009 -0.7% 26%
2008 5.9% 31.4%
2007 4.7% 18.7%
2006 1.5% 13.7%
2005 1.8% 16%
2004 3.9% 21.7%
2003 1.1% 31.1%
2002 -0.8% 22.4%
2001 0.7% 12.5%
2000 0.4% 16.2%
1999 -1.4% 23.6%
1998 -0.8% 35.8%
1997 2.8% 50%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.32B
Textiles & consumer goods $979M
Chemicals & pharma $675M
Metals $345M
Raw materials & minerals $221M
Miscellaneous $114M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $63.1M
Wood & paper products $62.9M
Animal & marine products $9.24M
Precious metals & jewellery $6.73M
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $240M
Animal & marine products $9.65M
Metals $3.19M
Chemicals & pharma $1.14M

Balance of trade

China Venezuela
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$613B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$384B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Venezuela
Economic freedom 48.3 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 194/197
Property rights 40.9 0
Government integrity 42.3 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 5.1
Tax burden 69.3 73.4
Government spending 67.8 93
Fiscal health 4.4 29.1
Business freedom 68.7 31.1
Labor freedom 57.9 35.5
Monetary freedom 76.1 0
Trade freedom 73.4 43.2
Investment freedom 20 0
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Venezuela
2026 48.3 27.3
2025 49 27.6
2024 48.5 28.1
2023 48.3 25.8
2022 48 24.8
2021 58.4 24.7
2020 59.5 25.2
2019 58.4 25.9
2018 57.8 25.2
2017 57.4 27
2016 52 33.7
2015 52.7 34.3
2014 52.5 36.3
2013 51.9 36.1
2012 51.2 38.1
2011 52 37.6
2010 51 37.1
2009 53.2 39.9
2008 53.1 44.7
2007 52 47.9
2006 53.6 44.6
2005 53.7 45.2
2004 52.5 46.7
2003 52.6 54.8
2002 52.8 54.7
2001 52.6 54.6
2000 56.4 57.4
1999 54.8 56.1
1998 53.1 54
1997 51.7 52.8
1996 51.3 54.5
1995 52 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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 (1920–1997, 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 (2013–2024, 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.