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China vs Saudi Arabia GDP
China has held the lead throughout the published window. In 1960 Saudi Arabia stood at roughly 3% of China’s GDP; today the figure is about 7%, and the pair was closest in 1981 (94%).
| Year | China | Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 59,846,235,024.73 | 1,748,124,063.56 | 3% |
| 1970 | 92,752,930,873.19 | 5,377,333,333.33 | 6% |
| 1980 | 191,487,500,000 | 164,539,660,725.12 | 86% |
| 1990 | 361,560,229,445.51 | 117,630,173,564.75 | 33% |
| 2000 | 1,223,754,919,971.05 | 189,514,933,333.33 | 15% |
| 2010 | 6,192,564,874,453.29 | 528,207,466,666.67 | 9% |
| 2020 | 14,996,414,166,715.1 | 767,951,200,000 | 5% |
| 2025 | 19,498,039,388,042.6 | 1,276,942,933,333.33 | 7% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China pass Saudi Arabia in GDP?
It has not come to that. China has posted the larger GDP in every published year (1960–2025).
How do China and Saudi Arabia compare today?
China is ahead: 19,498,039,388,042.6 against 1,276,942,933,333.33 — the trailing economy stands at about 7% of the leader.
Are these GDP figures nominal or adjusted?
They are exactly as the World Bank publishes them — current US$ — with no inflation restatement, no PPP conversion and no interpolation for missing years.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: