Ranked: The World’s Richest Countries (2006-2026)

How the Richest-Country Rankings Have Changed

Measured by economic output per person, the world’s richest countries tend to be small, developed states found mostly in Europe. One South American country, though, has followed the Gulf state approach to greater riches.

This visualization ranks the countries with the highest GDP per capita in 2006, 2016, and 2026 using projections from the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook. Figures are in current prices and have been adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP).

The Biggest Shifts in the Rankings

In 2006, Liechtenstein already stood atop global rankings, with the only GDP per capita ($112,499) to reach six figures. The small Alpine microstate was followed by nearby Luxembourg ($96,014) as well as Gulf petrostates like Qatar ($86,252) and the United Arab Emirates ($74,230).

Most of the world’s wealthiest countries by this measurement are small offshore financial hubs such as Singapore and Switzerland.

The table below ranks the world’s top 20 countries by PPP-adjusted GDP per capita in 2006.

Rank	Country	2006 GDP Per Capita (US $)
1	Liechtenstein	112,499
2	Luxembourg	96,014
3	Qatar	86,252
4	UAE	74,230
5	Macau	69,437
6	Brunei	67,149
7	San Marino	63,401
8	Kuwait	60,477
9	Singapore	59,942
10	Switzerland	54,488
11	Norway	53,542
12	Ireland	49,519
13	U.S.	46,217
14	Denmark	45,064
15	Iceland	44,331
16	Netherlands	43,358
17	Saudi Arabia	42,595
18	Austria	42,341
19	Bahrain	41,276
20	Belgium	40,108

Different countries saw their economic fortunes grow through different means. Singapore, for example, developed internationally competitive industries, including semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. Off the strength of these industries the country eventually rose to have the second-highest GDP per capita ($173,708) worldwide in 2026.

Guyana’s transformation, by contrast, began with a resource discovery that changed the country’s economic profile altogether.

How Oil Transformed Guyana

Oil production in Guyana only began in December 2019. As offshore output expanded, the impact extended beyond petroleum. Oil revenues have helped finance infrastructure and human capital programs, while public investment has supported construction and other domestic activity.

For a small economy, developing a major export industry can rapidly change output per resident. The country’s GDP per capita has grown more than anywhere else since 1990. By 2026, Guyana was projected to have a higher GDP per capita ($95,477) than any other country in the Western Hemisphere, including the United States ($94,430).

The challenge for Guyana is turning that windfall into lasting gains. Guyana has accumulated oil revenue in a Natural Resource Fund, helping balance current development needs with future savings. Investing effectively matters because oil prices can fluctuate sharply, and a higher national average does not automatically translate into better services or higher incomes for every household.

Leprechaun Economics in the 21st Century

Ireland’s climb reflects a different kind of international connection: the role of multinational companies. Profits generated by foreign-owned multinationals contribute to domestic production even when they ultimately flow to owners abroad. This can create a substantial gap between the size of the economy and the income retained by residents.

Corporate restructuring can also produce unusually large jumps. In 2015, the relocation of company balance sheets to Ireland, including intellectual property, drove a dramatic increase in reported GDP. The Irish government has even set up a parallel measurement of economic output to account for these multinational firms’ activities.

By 2026 Ireland’s GDP per capita ($159,129) is forecast to be the second-highest in Europe and third-highest worldwide.

Rank	Country	2026 GDP Per Capita (US $)
1	Liechtenstein	195,372
2	Singapore	173,708
3	Ireland	159,129
4	Luxembourg	156,719
5	Macau	140,423
6	Norway	115,548
7	Qatar	112,312
8	Switzerland	105,680
9	Taiwan	98,051
10	Brunei	97,858
11	Guyana	95,477
12	USA	94,430
13	Denmark	89,667
14	UAE	87,774
15	Netherlands	87,773
16	San Marino	87,141
17	Hong Kong	84,212
18	Iceland	82,730
19	Malta	82,421
20	Saudi Arabia	78,815

Learn More on the Voronoi App

To zoom in on one absent continent across these rankings, check out Richest Countries in Africa by GDP Per Capita (2025) on Voronoi.

• Source: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/ranked-the-worlds-richest-countries-2006-2026/