The following is a comparison between the United States of America (USA) and China, two large countries of the world. Let’s read.
USA and China – country comparison
Flags
GDP
• The United States has a larger nominal GDP and a higher GDP per capita than China, while China’s GDP is larger in PPP terms.
| 2025 (IMF) | USA | China |
|---|
| Currency | United States Dollar | Chinese Yuan |
| GDP (nominal, USD) | $30.77 trillion | $19.63 trillion |
| GDP per capita (nominal, USD) | $89.99 thousand | $13.97 thousand |
| GDP (PPP, international $) | $30.77 trillion | $41.24 trillion |
| GDP per capita (PPP, international $) | $89.99 thousand | $29.35 thousand |
Population
| 2025 estimate | USA | China |
|---|
| Population | 347.3 million | 1.416 billion |
| Population aged 0-14 | 17% | 15% |
| Population aged 15-64 | 65% | 70% |
| Population aged 65 and older | 18% | 15% |
| Total fertility rate, per woman | 1.6 | 1 |
Life
| USA | China |
|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (2023/UN) | 79.3 | 77.95 |
| Human Development Index rank (2023) | 17th | 78th |
| Human Development Index value | 0.938 | 0.797 |
Overview
• Both the United States and China are large countries, with the United States being slightly larger in terms of total area.
• The United States and China rank third and second, respectively, in the world by population.
| USA | China |
|---|
| Area | approximately 9.8 million sq km | approximately 9.6 million sq km |
| Area rank | 3rd | 4th |
| Population | 347.3 million (2025 estimate) | 1.416 billion (2025 estimate) |
| Population rank | 3rd | 2nd |
| Capital city | Washington, D.C. | Beijing |
| Largest city | New York City | Shanghai |
| Most spoken language | English | Mandarin Chinese |
| Popular sports | American Football, baseball, and basketball | Table tennis, basketball, and badminton |
Geography
| USA | China |
|---|
| Region | North America | East Asia |
| Forest cover (2023) | 33.9% | 24% |
| Total number of time zones | 11 | 1 |
| Highest mountain peak | Denali/Mount McKinley (6,190 m/20,310 ft) | Mount Everest (29,032 ft/8,849 m) |
| Major rivers | Missouri, Mississippi, Yukon, Rio Grande, Arkansas, Colorado, etc. | Yangtze, Yellow, Amur, Mekong, Brahmaputra, Pearl, etc. |
| Longest river | Missouri River | Yangtze River |
| Largest island | Hawaii Island (10,430 sq km) | Hainan (35,190 sq km) |
| Largest lake | Lake Superior (shared with Canada); Lake Michigan (entirely within the United States) | Qinghai Lake |
(Also read: USA and Russia – country comparison | USA vs Russia)
Tourism
| USA | China |
|---|
| Popular places to visit | New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Yellowstone National Park, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon, etc. | The Great Wall Of China, The Terracotta Army, Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, etc. |
| International tourist arrivals | 72.4 million (2024) | 65.7 million (2019) |
| Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 26 | 60 |
| Busiest airport | Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport | Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport/Shanghai Pudong International Airport |
The Great Wall of China
Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River
