The maps below all show countries that were richer than the United States in inflation adjusts GDP per capita terms in 1980 based on the IMF’s Gross domestic product (GDP), Constant prices, Per capita, purchasing power parity (PPP) international dollar, ICP benchmark 2021.More about it at the bottom of the page. The year was rather unique due to the 1979-80 oil crisis. This temporarily increased inflation adjusted GDP per capita in some countries such as the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Libya to levels higher than they are today.Overall, in 1980 there were 15 countries that were richer than the US in $PPP inflation adjusted terms and today there are only 10. Countries Richer Than The US in 1980 & Still Richer TodayQatar vs US GDP Per CapitaSwitzerland vs US GDP Per CapitaLuxembourg vs US GDP Per CapitaNorway vs US GDP Per CapitaCountries Richer Than The US in 1980 & Poorer TodayUAE vs US GDP per CapitaSaudi Arabia vs US GDP per CapitaLibya vs US GDP per CapitaBahrain vs US GDP per CapitaDenmark vs US GDP per CapitaIceland vs US GDP per CapitaNetherlands vs US GDP per CapitaAustria vs US GDP per CapitaBelgium vs US GDP per CapitaGermany vs US GDP per CapitaCountries Poorer Than The US in 1980 & Richer TodayOf the 10 countries richer than the US today 6 of them were poorer (or had no data) in 1980. Here are the countries for which we have data.Singapore vs US GDP Per CapitaIreland vs US GDP Per CapitaGuyana vs US GDP Per CapitaThe countries without data for 1980 are: Brunei Darussalam Principality of Liechtenstein Macao Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of ChinaSome Extra ComparisonsUK vs US GDP Per CapitaCanada vs US GDP Per CapitaIreland vs UK GDP per CapitaHere are the numbers for all countries:CountryGDP Per Capita In 1980GDP Per Capita In 2025United Arab Emirates$166,452$72,386Qatar$164,972$104,873Saudi Arabia$104,974$64,037Switzerland$55,240$83,755Libya$52,052$15,378Luxembourg$51,759$130,697Bahrain$50,652$59,408Norway$46,032$91,503Denmark$37,449$72,694Iceland$37,105$69,010The Netherlands$36,588$72,070Austria$36,350$64,195Belgium$35,217$65,078Germany$35,144$63,081United States$35,131$76,842Canada$34,808$56,174United Kingdom$27,664$54,681Singapore$27,322$134,620Ireland$22,495$126,823Guyana$6,941$80,779LiechtensteinNo data$172,478MacaoNo Data$113,762Brunei DarussalamNo Data$81,022The World Bank Explains how these numbers are derived:This indicator provides values for gross domestic product (GDP) expressed in constant international dollars, converted by purchasing power parities (PPPs). PPPs account for the different price levels across countries and thus PPP-based comparisons of economic output are more appropriate for comparing the output of economies and the average material well-being of their inhabitants than exchange-rate based comparisons. Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. The core indicator has been divided by the general population to achieve a per capita estimate. This indicator is expressed in constant prices, meaning the series has been adjusted to account for price changes over time. The reference year for this adjustment is 2021. The PPP conversion factor is a currency conversion factor and a spatial price deflator. PPPs convert different currencies to a common currency and, in the process of conversion, equalize their purchasing power by eliminating the differences in price levels between countries, thereby allowing volume or output comparisons of GDP and its expenditure components.