GDP per capita is one of the indicators that are used to understand how the economic level of a country and its inhabitants is. In general terms, the higher this index, the greater the availability of economic resources per person, which is usually interpreted as a sign of prosperity.
As with any average, It is necessary to carefully examine the factors that compose it. GDP per capita does not reflect key aspects such as quality of life, economic sustainability or equitable income distribution. That’s why, Their figures can be very far from the daily reality of many people.
Following the data of the International Monetary Fund, Luxembourg heads the list of the most prosperous countries, according to this indicator, with a per capita GDP near US $ 141,000. They are followed by Ireland (US $ 108,900), Switzerland (US $ 104,890), Singapore (US $ 92,900), and Iceland (US $ 90.200), among others.
Although the US is the powerful economy of the world to date, in this ranking it occupies the seventh place, with a GDP per capita of just over US $ 89,100.
When observing the top of the list, it is important to keep in mind that many of these countries are financial centers with favorable tax regimes. This has motivated numerous international companies to maintain their profits in these territories, which significantly increases wealth; consequently, The indicator can reflect a strong concentration of this without necessarily translated into a distribution among the population.
In addition to financial centers, there are also countries whose wealth is promoted by hydrocarbon exploitation. Qatar (10th position), United Arab Emirates (23rd) and Saudi Arabia (43º) They are an example of economies that have climbed thanks to their oil exports.
In America, the case of Guyana stands out, which occupies the 41st position. This country has risen rapidly in the ranking after important oil findings Costa outside (offshore), which has triggered its production, and therefore, Your GDP per capita.
The International Monetary Fund placed Colombia in the group of countries with a GDP per capita between US $ 2,500 and US $ 10,000. Specifically, the figure is around US $ 8,000. Although for many this figure does not reflect its economic reality, the most worrying thing is that, according to the projections of the multilateral organism, Colombia will be one of the few Latin American countries that in 2030 will continue below the threshold of US $ 10,000; This contrasts with the expected advance in countries such as Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Panama, which are projected on that rank.
