GDP Per Capita Calculator
Use this tool to calculate the GDP Per Capita for a country or region based on its Total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its Total Population.
Enter the values for Total GDP and Total Population below. Ensure both values are non-negative numbers and that the population is greater than zero.
Enter Economic Data
Understanding GDP Per Capita
What is GDP Per Capita?
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Per Capita is a widely used measure of a country's economic output per person. It is calculated by dividing the total GDP by the total population.
Formula:
GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
It serves as an indicator of average productivity or average living standards, though it doesn't reflect income distribution.
Total GDP Explained
Total GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is the total monetary or market value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period (usually a year).
Total Population Explained
Total population refers to the total number of inhabitants of a country or region at a specific point in time.
GDP Per Capita Examples
Click on an example to see the step-by-step calculation:
Example 1: Large Developed Economy
Scenario: Calculate GDP per capita for a country with high total output and large population.
1. Known Values: Total GDP = $20,000,000,000,000 (20 Trillion), Total Population = 300,000,000 (300 Million).
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: $20,000,000,000,000 / 300,000,000
4. Result: ≈ $66,667
Conclusion: The GDP per capita is approximately $66,667.
Example 2: Smaller Developed Economy
Scenario: Calculate GDP per capita for a country with moderate total output and smaller population.
1. Known Values: Total GDP = $500,000,000,000 (500 Billion), Total Population = 10,000,000 (10 Million).
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: $500,000,000,000 / 10,000,000
4. Result: = $50,000
Conclusion: The GDP per capita is $50,000.
Example 3: Large Developing Economy
Scenario: Calculate GDP per capita for a country with large total output but also a very large population.
1. Known Values: Total GDP = $5,000,000,000,000 (5 Trillion), Total Population = 1,000,000,000 (1 Billion).
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: $5,000,000,000,000 / 1,000,000,000
4. Result: = $5,000
Conclusion: The GDP per capita is $5,000.
Example 4: Small Island Nation
Scenario: Calculate GDP per capita for a country with small total output and small population.
1. Known Values: Total GDP = $1,000,000,000 (1 Billion), Total Population = 500,000 (0.5 Million).
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: $1,000,000,000 / 500,000
4. Result: = $2,000
Conclusion: The GDP per capita is $2,000.
Example 5: Historical Data
Scenario: Calculate historical GDP per capita (using hypothetical past data).
1. Known Values: Total GDP = $100,000,000 (100 Million), Total Population = 10,000 (10 Thousand).
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: $100,000,000 / 10,000
4. Result: = $10,000
Conclusion: The historical GDP per capita was $10,000.
Example 6: City-Level Estimate
Scenario: Estimate GDP per capita for a large city (if city-level GDP data were available).
1. Known Values: City GDP Estimate = $800,000,000,000 (800 Billion), City Population = 8,000,000 (8 Million).
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: $800,000,000,000 / 8,000,000
4. Result: = $100,000
Conclusion: The estimated city-level GDP per capita is $100,000.
Example 7: Scenario with Round Numbers
Scenario: Simple calculation with easy numbers.
1. Known Values: Total GDP = $1,000,000,000,000 (1 Trillion), Total Population = 50,000,000 (50 Million).
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: $1,000,000,000,000 / 50,000,000
4. Result: = $20,000
Conclusion: The GDP per capita is $20,000.
Example 8: Low Income Economy
Scenario: Calculate GDP per capita for a country with lower total output and significant population.
1. Known Values: Total GDP = $50,000,000,000 (50 Billion), Total Population = 100,000,000 (100 Million).
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: $50,000,000,000 / 100,000,000
4. Result: = $500
Conclusion: The GDP per capita is $500.
Example 9: High Income, Small Population
Scenario: Calculate GDP per capita for a country with high total output relative to its population.
1. Known Values: Total GDP = $700,000,000,000 (700 Billion), Total Population = 5,000,000 (5 Million).
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: $700,000,000,000 / 5,000,000
4. Result: = $140,000
Conclusion: The GDP per capita is $140,000.
Example 10: Using Scientific Notation (Conceptual)
Scenario: Calculate using very large numbers often represented in scientific notation (calculator handles standard numbers).
1. Known Values: Total GDP ≈ 2.2 x 10¹³ USD, Total Population ≈ 3.3 x 10⁸ people.
2. Formula: GDP Per Capita = Total GDP / Total Population
3. Calculation: (2.2 x 10¹³) / (3.3 x 10⁸)
4. Result: ≈ 6.67 x 10⁴ = $66,700
Conclusion: The GDP per capita is approximately $66,700.
Understanding Economic Indicators
GDP per capita is a key economic indicator, but it's important to consider other factors like income inequality, cost of living, and quality of life when evaluating the overall well-being of a population.
Common Units Reference
Total GDP is typically measured in a country's local currency or a standard currency like the US Dollar (USD). GDP Per Capita will be in the same currency unit as the Total GDP.
| Value | Typical Units |
|---|---|
| Total GDP | Currency (e.g., USD, EUR, JPY) |
| Total Population | Number of People |
| GDP Per Capita | Currency per Person (e.g., USD per person) |
Frequently Asked Questions about GDP Per Capita
1. What does GDP Per Capita measure?
It measures the average economic output (GDP) produced per person in a country or region over a specific period, usually a year.
2. Why is GDP Per Capita used?
It's a simple metric used to compare the economic performance and average productivity levels between different countries or regions. It's often considered an indicator of average living standards, though with limitations.
3. What are the limitations of GDP Per Capita as an indicator of well-being?
It's an average and doesn't show how wealth is distributed within a country (income inequality). It also doesn't account for non-market activities, environmental impact, quality of life factors, or the cost of living.
4. Is GDP Per Capita the same as average income?
Not exactly. GDP per capita is a measure of *output* per person, while average income measures the average *earnings* per person. While correlated, they capture different aspects of the economy.
5. How is Total GDP calculated?
GDP can be calculated using three main methods: the expenditure approach (sum of all spending), the production approach (sum of value added at each stage of production), or the income approach (sum of all incomes earned). Official statistics use combinations of these.
6. What units should I use for Total GDP?
Enter the Total GDP in the monetary unit you want the result to be in (e.g., US Dollars, Euros, your local currency). Be consistent.
7. Can GDP Per Capita decrease?
Yes. If Total GDP grows at a slower rate than the population, or if Total GDP shrinks while population grows or stays stable, GDP per capita will decrease.
8. Where can I find reliable data for Total GDP and Total Population?
Reliable sources include national statistical offices, international organizations like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the United Nations.
9. Does this calculator use nominal or purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP?
This calculator performs a simple division based on the numbers you input. The result's meaning (nominal vs. PPP) depends entirely on whether the Total GDP value you enter is nominal GDP or GDP adjusted for PPP.
10. What happens if I enter zero for the population?
The calculator will show an error because division by zero is mathematically undefined. GDP per capita requires a population greater than zero.
