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When people think about the richest countries in the world, they usually think about GDP (Gross Domestic Product). GDP shows how big a country’s economy is, but it does not tell us how rich the people living in that country are.
A country can have a very large economy, but its citizens may still have a low standard of living. That is why per capita income is a better way to understand how comfortable people’s lives really are.
Why Per Capita GDP and PPP Matter
Per capita GDP means the total income of a country divided by its population.
When it is adjusted using PPP (Purchasing Power Parity), it also includes the cost of living and prices of goods in that country.
Because of this, PPP-based per capita income gives a clearer picture of people’s real buying power and lifestyle.
Top 10 Richest Countries in 2025 (Per Capita Income – PPP)
| Rank | Country | Income (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liechtenstein | 201,112.3 |
| 2 | Singapore | 156,969.1 |
| 3 | Luxembourg | 152,394.6 |
| 4 | Ireland | 147,178.2 |
| 5 | Macau SAR | 132,648.3 |
| 6 | Qatar | 122,283.2 |
| 7 | Norway | 106,694.1 |
| 8 | Switzerland | 97,659.2 |
| 9 | Brunei Darussalam | 94,472.4 |
| 10 | Guyana | 94,189.3 |
Liechtenstein ranks number one because it has a very small population, strong industries, and a powerful financial system.
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What Is India’s Rank?
India’s per capita income is still low compared to many countries.
- Nominal per capita GDP: about $2,880
- PPP-adjusted per capita GDP: about $12,130
With these numbers, India ranks around 124th out of nearly 200 countries in per capita income.
However, India performs much better in total economic size. By total GDP, India is the fourth-largest economy in the world, behind the United States, China, and Germany.
The Poorest Country in 2025
According to the 2025 PPP per capita income ranking, South Sudan is the poorest country in the world.
- Per capita GDP (PPP): about $716.25
- South Sudan became an independent country in 2011
Years of conflict, weak infrastructure, and political problems have slowed its economic growth.
Conclusion
The richest countries are not always the ones with the biggest economies. Countries with high per capita income usually offer a better standard of living to their people.
For countries like India, the main challenge is to ensure that economic growth benefits every citizen, not just the overall economy.
About the Author:
Chirag Pandey
Chirag Pandey – Content & Prompt Writer
I am a skilled content writer with a knack for creating clear, engaging, and research-driven content. With expertise in data science and biotechnology, simplifies complex topics into compelling articles, blogs, news and story.A cricket enthusiast and strategic thinker and, Passionate about storytelling and SEO, I delivers content that informs and captivates readers.
