Richest Countries of 2015 - Global Finance Magazine (2024)

Current International Dollars: 56,815.63

Robust public finances, a vibrant financial services sector, its location at the heart of the European Union yet its independence in economic and monetary affairs have ensured high standards of living in this country, where per capita GDP (PPP) in 2015 was estimated at nearly US$57,000 despite an economic readjustment due to the Swiss Central Bank’s decision to let the Swiss Franc appreciate against the Euro.

Current International Dollars: 57,676.79

Hong Kong enjoys the unique status of being the gateway to China’s huge economy while also having a robust framework of rules and regulations and a first class financial services industry. Per capita GDP (PPP) in 2015 is estimated at nearly US$58,000.

Current International Dollars: 67,201.88

The UAE is ahead of other countries similarly reliant on hydrocarbon exports in its attempt to diversify the country’s economic base. The government has expended great effort in improving the UAE’s ability to attract Foreign Direct Investment, particularly in highly innovative, technology-intensive sectors. Per capita GDP (PPP) in 2015 remains among the world’s ten highest at an estimated US$67,000.

Current International Dollars: 67,619.10

The oil sector has pushed Norway’s standards of living higher and higher in the last two decades. In 2015, the country’s per capita GDP (PPP) is estimated at nearly US$68,000. The recent fall of oil prices, however, presents a challenge to the Norwegian economy. Norwegian authorities have plenty of tools to cope with it, including an independent monetary policy and a sound institutional and macroeconomic framework, but there is no doubt that Norway is now facing a more uncertain environment than it has in a long time.

Current International Dollars: 71,600.96

Lower oil prices are a threat to this economy so heavily reliant on hydrocarbon exports. Nevertheless, the government’s five-year development plan, capital spending push and fiscal reforms are ensuring continued economic growth in the non-oil sectors and, for the time being, keeping up the country’s very high per capita income (PPP), of nearly US$72,600 in 2015.

Current International Dollars: 80,335.27

Its rich endowment of oil and gas resources has afforded this small Sultanate one of the world’s highest incomes per capita (PPP), estimated by the IMF at more than US$80,000 in 2015. With the recent decline in energy prices, Brunei’s economic foundations have been somewhat shaken. Therefore the government is pushing to diversify the economy and hopes to launch a new stock exchange by 2017 in order to strengthen the country’s capital markets.

Current International Dollars: 84,821.40

The city-state’s solid fundamentals and large current account surplus are sustaining the economy and fostering moderate growth even at a time when the fragility of the global economy and high household debt present a risk to this very open, trade-oriented economy. Incomes (PPP) remain the third highest in the world, estimated at nearly US$85,000 in 2015.

Current International Dollars: 94,167.01

Largely thanks to a strong and vibrant financial services sector, Luxembourg can count on a wealthy and stable economy, low public debt, and robust institutions, affording it the second highest per capita GDP (PPP) in the world, estimated at more than US$94,000 in 2015. Tightening banking regulations across Europe and the world represent the one source of uncertainty going forward.

Current International Dollars: 146,011.85

With the infrastructure push for the 2022 FIFA Soccer World Cup further lifting its already rapidly-growing economy, and its reliance on gas exports shielding it, at least to some extent, from lower oil prices, Qatar continues to dominate the list of countries with the highest incomes per capita (PPP) in the world, with more than US$146,000 in 2015.