China's GDP outgrows African nations 41-fold since 1980
Over the past four decades, China has experienced a rather exponential economic transformation as compared to African countries, specifically from the periods between 1980 to 2016.
In 1980, China's GDP per capita was just $194.80, lower than all but two African nations: Guinea-Bissau at $138.17 and Uganda at $99.18.
By 2016, China’s GDP per capita had soared to $8,117.27, a remarkable 41-fold increase. This growth surpassed nearly all African countries except for Equatorial Guinea, which had a GDP per capita of $9,217.89 (though its wealth is highly unevenly distributed), and the Seychelles at $15,060.99.
In contrast, Uganda and Guinea-Bissau had significantly improved their economic standings by 2016. Uganda’s GDP per capita rose to $580.38, marking nearly a six-fold increase, while Guinea-Bissau’s reached $648.90, a nearly fivefold improvement.
Despite its rapid growth, China’s GDP per capita in 2016 remained slightly lower than Mexico's $8,443.69 and Russia's $8,748.37. It still lagged far behind higher-income nations, with the US at $57,588.54, Australia at $49,896.68, Canada at $42,348.95, and the UK at $40,412.03.
Recent data from the IMF's April 2024 World Economic Outlook report shows that China's GDP per capita is $13,136 (nominal).
