That claim doesn’t match the data.
*GDP per capita PPP, 2026 estimates:*
Country GDP per capita PPP Source
**United States** $89,991 Worldometer/IMF
**China** $29,352 Worldometer/IMF
8074
So the US is still ∼3x higher than China on a PPP basis.
*What did happen since 2008:*
China closed the gap fast. In 2008 China’s GDP per capita PPP was ∼$7,800, the US was ∼$48,000. By 2026 China is at ∼$29k, US at ∼$90k. China grew a lot faster, but it hasn’t “left the US in the dust.”
*Why the confusion happens:*
1. *Total GDP PPP*: China overtook the US in total GDP PPP around 2014. With 4.3x more people, it’s easy to mix total GDP with per capita GDP.
2. *Growth rate*: China grew >10% in 22 years between 1961-2024. The US had negative growth 7 times in that period. So China’s catch-up looks dramatic in charts. eeaf