GDP per capita ranking 1961 — the top 20 economies
The twenty largest economies by GDP per Capita (Nominal) in 1961, ranked by the exact World Bank figures. The leader: United States (3,059.16). A total of 113 economies reported a value that year.
The leader, United States, stood at 3,059.16. The twentieth economy, Austria, reported 1,036.73 — a 3× spread inside the top 20 alone. Of 113 economies reporting that year, these twenty are the ones usually quoted.
| # | Country | current US$ (1961) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 3,059.16 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 2,364.75 |
| 3 | Sweden | 2,304.47 |
| 4 | Canada | 2,246.08 |
| 5 | Luxembourg | 2,241.36 |
| 6 | Switzerland | 2,187.93 |
| 7 | Australia | 1,880.48 |
| 8 | Bermuda | 1,774 |
| 9 | Israel | 1,696.25 |
| 10 | Norway | 1,563.21 |
| 11 | The Bahamas | 1,555.05 |
| 12 | Denmark | 1,530.54 |
| 13 | Iceland | 1,489.77 |
| 14 | United Kingdom | 1,472.39 |
| 15 | France | 1,401.87 |
| 16 | Belgium | 1,367.79 |
| 17 | Finland | 1,341.5 |
| 18 | Germany | 1,315.91 |
| 19 | Netherlands | 1,254.42 |
| 20 | Austria | 1,036.73 |
Where are they now?
The top five of 1961 and their rank in the latest published year:
| Country | Rank in 1961 | Rank today |
|---|---|---|
| United States | #8 | #11 |
| New Zealand | #21 | #33 |
| Sweden | #12 | #20 |
| Canada | #20 | #30 |
| Luxembourg | #1 | #3 |
Other years
Frequently asked questions
Which country had the largest GDP per capita in 1961?
United States, with 3,059.16 (current US$).
How many countries are included?
113 economies reported a value for NY.GDP.PCAP.CD in 1961. Coverage widens over time — earlier years include fewer reporting economies.