How the World’s Richest Countries Could Rank in 2031
Key Takeaways
- Liechtenstein is projected to remain the world’s richest economy by GDP per capita in 2031, reaching $226,000, ahead of Singapore at $215,000.
- Guyana rises three places and Qatar two, while several European economies slip in the rankings.
- The U.S. is projected to rank 12th in both 2026 and 2031, with GDP per capita rising to $115,000.
The world’s richest economies are projected to grow wealthier by 2031, but faster growth in energy-rich countries could reshape the rankings.
This graphic compares GDP per capita in 2026 and 2031 using purchasing power parity (PPP), based on the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook. PPP adjusts for differences in price levels across economies, offering a more comparable measure of economic output per person.
Which Countries Will Be Richest in 2031?
Only two economies are projected to surpass $200,000 in GDP per capita by 2031. Meanwhile, Ireland moves into third place, overtaking Luxembourg, which falls to fifth.
The table below compares 2031 projections with 2026 levels, revealing where the biggest gains are expected.
| Rank | Country | GDP Per Capita ($ US) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026F | 2031F | Change | ||
| 1 | Liechtenstein | 198,987 | 226,009 | 14% |
| 2 | Singapore | 176,927 | 215,234 | 22% |
| 3 | Ireland | 149,642 | 182,089 | 22% |
| 4 | Macao | 141,442 | 173,925 | 23% |
| 5 | Luxembourg | 156,638 | 173,819 | 11% |
| 6 | Qatar | 103,804 | 170,374 | 64% |
| 7 | Guyana | 98,912 | 141,840 | 43% |
| 8 | Taiwan | 103,743 | 136,337 | 31% |
| 9 | Norway | 116,169 | 132,212 | 14% |
| 10 | Switzerland | 106,944 | 123,488 | 15% |
| 11 | Brunei | 98,028 | 122,045 | 25% |
| 12 | U.S. | 95,212 | 114,955 | 21% |
| 13 | UAE | 83,704 | 114,421 | 37% |
| 14 | Denmark | 92,876 | 108,271 | 17% |
| 15 | Hong Kong SAR | 85,843 | 103,316 | 20% |
| 16 | Netherlands | 88,202 | 102,282 | 16% |
| 17 | San Marino | 87,524 | 101,730 | 16% |
| 18 | Malta | 80,020 | 100,679 | 26% |
| 19 | Saudi Arabia | 74,295 | 93,860 | 26% |
| 20 | Iceland | 83,002 | 93,177 | 12% |
| 21 | Sweden | 78,476 | 93,010 | 19% |
| 22 | Germany | 78,664 | 92,034 | 17% |
| 23 | Belgium | 78,906 | 92,023 | 17% |
| 24 | Austria | 78,828 | 90,502 | 15% |
| 25 | South Korea | 70,251 | 87,745 | 25% |
Qatar stands out with a projected 64% increase in GDP per capita, the largest among the 25 economies shown. That would narrow its gap with Luxembourg from nearly $53,000 per person in 2026 to just $3,445 by 2031.
Guyana follows with a 43% increase, while the UAE is projected to gain 37%. Together, these economies account for the three largest percentage increases in the ranking, highlighting the growing economic output of energy exporters.
Why Some Rich Countries Are Pulling Ahead
The rankings reflect different drivers of economic growth. Financial hubs such as Singapore and Luxembourg benefit from high-value industries, while energy exporters like Qatar and Guyana stand to gain from expanding production.
However, Qatar’s outlook carries uncertainty. QatarEnergy aims to nearly double LNG production capacity by 2030, but Iranian strikes damaged 17% of its capacity. Shipping disruptions have also delayed expansion projects.
Even with these risks, energy-rich economies are projected to outpace several established European leaders. Luxembourg slips from third to fifth, while Norway and Switzerland each fall three places, despite projected GDP per capita gains of 11% to 15%.
The result is a shifting global wealth ranking, where rising GDP per capita does not necessarily translate into a higher position.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
To learn more about this topic, explore this graphic on the countries with the most ultra-rich residents.