The US states richer than entire countries
Daniel Coughlin
05 October 2020
The states that outclass whole nations economically
America's GDP hit a staggering $20.49 trillion in 2019, beating every other economy on the planet. The US is so incredibly wealthy, many states are actually richer than entire countries, including affluent nations such as Switzerland and Saudi Arabia. Click or scroll through to see the states that are wealthier than nations.
Oregon: $251.6 billion...
The 25th richest state, Oregon has a lucrative mix of traditional industries such as construction, forestry and mining, and cutting-edge industries from IT to advanced and hi-tech manufacturing. Its GDP of $251.6 billion is greater than that of...
...is richer than Iraq: $246.9 billion
The oil-rich country is in a fragile position at the moment, as the effects of a global collapse in oil prices are combined with coronavirus and ongoing social turmoil.
Louisiana: $263.9 billion...
The economy of Louisiana is fueled by the state's energy industry, along with tourism, agriculture and fisheries – Louisiana is one of the world's leading producers of crawfish and catfish. Last year, its GDP totaled $263.9 billion, surpassing...
...is richer than the Czech Republic: $259.7 billion
This landlocked Central European nation is has been thriving economically for the past few years. However, like most other nations, the economy is set to contract this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, with GDP falling at the sharpest rate on record in the second quarter.
Connecticut: $285.6 billion...
Connecticut certainly lives up to its reputation as an affluent place. The Nutmeg State's key sectors of finance, insurance and real estate generate vast sums of money – its GDP of $285.6 billion eclipses that of...
...is richer than Vietnam: $282.4 billion
The southeast Asian country has a socialist-oriented mixed economy that has seen rapid growth during the past 30 years or so. A major agricultural exporter and manufacturer, Vietnam has become a prime tourist destination too.
Missouri: $332.1 billion...
Healthcare, retail and advanced and hi-tech manufacturing are key industries in the Show-Me State, which is also a major producer of soybeans, pork, dairy products and corn. Last year, its GDP hit $332.1 billion, outperforming...
...is richer than Finland: $289.2 billion
A wealthy country, Finland has a highly industrialized mixed economy. The principal industries in the Nordic nation include advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, chemicals and the more traditional forestry and agriculture.
Wisconsin: $347.3 billion...
Renowned for its dairy products, Wisconsin has a substantial farming industry, but manufacturing, IT and tourism are crucial to its economic wellbeing too. The 21st richest state, last year Wisconsin's GDP was $347.3 billion, beating...
...is richer than Bangladesh: $343.3 billion
Boasting one of the fastest-growing economies on the planet, Bangladesh has a GDP of $343.3 billion. The dominant industries in the developing Asian country include natural gas extraction, garment manufacturing and agriculture.
Arizona: $366.2 billion...
Advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, mining and tourism are the mainstays of Arizona's flourishing economy, but agriculture and construction are also important. In 2019, the state's GDP amounted to $366.2 billion, greater than that of...
...is richer than Colombia: $352.8 billion
Latin America's fourth biggest economy, Colombia is a major manufacturing country and oil exporter. The nation's other money-spinning industries include mining and agriculture, as well as tourism.
Indiana: $377.1 billion...
An industrial powerhouse, Indiana is America's number one steel producer and a major manufacturer of products including vehicles, machinery, and electrical equipment. Last year, the Hoosier State had a GDP of $377.1 billion, beating two places...
...is richer than New Zealand and Ukraine: $372.1 billion
Indiana's economy outclasses not just one but two high-income economies. While very different, the economies of both New Zealand and Ukraine are dominated by services, manufacturing and agriculture.
Tennessee: $380.1 billion...
Richer than you may think, Tennessee has a number of important industries that generate massive amounts of money. These include advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. Last year's GDP is recorded at $380.1 billion, which outshines...
...is richer than Egypt: $331.4 billion
Egypt had impressive GDP growth last year at 5.6% and it has so far managed to sustain growth in the first half of 2020, thanks to net exports and investment.
Minnesota: $380.9 billion...
The North Star State has a diverse economy, with a lucrative mix of industries that turn over hundreds of billions of dollars annually. They range from agriculture and mining to biomedical engineering and retail. In 2019, Minnesota's GDP was $380.9 billion, which is larger than that of...
...is richer than Qatar and Kuwait: $347 billion
Believe it or not, Minnesota is wealthier than two of the world's biggest oil exporters: Qatar and Kuwait. Together they have a GDP of $347 billion. Qatar is the richer of the pair and boasts the tenth-highest GDP per capita on the planet.
Colorado: $390.3 billion...
Advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, healthcare, tourism and food processing are the most important industries in the Centennial State. In 2019, Colorado's GDP climbed to $390.3 billion, topping that of...
...is richer than Denmark: $364.6 billion
Colorado and Denmark are very similar in population size, but the American state is more productive. Denmark's mixed economy is based on advanced and hi-tech manufacturing and services, as well as hi-tech agriculture.
Maryland: $428.3 billion...
An affluent state, Maryland has a rich diversity of industries. IT, advanced and hi-tech manufacturing and biomedical engineering pull in the most money, but commercial fishing and tourism are also important. In 2019, Maryland's GDP reached $428.3 billion, surpassing...
...is richer than Singapore: $391.9 billion
Singapore's GDP isn't too far off that of Maryland, though many people might assume it would be richer. Advanced and hi-tech manufacturing and services drive the economy, which is considered the most business-friendly in the world.
Michigan: $541.6 billion...
Though Michigan's auto industry is a shadow of its former self, the state has buoyant advanced and hi-tech manufacturing sectors, and its agricultural and tourism industries are thriving. Last year, Michigan's GDP was $541.6 billion, which is greater than that of...
...is richer than Norway: $438.6 billion
One of Europe's wealthiest nations, Norway is rolling in money. The country produces more oil than any other nation on the continent, enriching its coffers hugely, and has strong shipping, fishing, forestry and tourism industries.
Washington: $599.6 billion...
The Evergreen State has more than its fair share of profitable industries. Major names like Starbucks, Amazon and Microsoft are headquartered there, and sectors from advanced and hi-tech manufacturing to mining are flourishing. Washington's GDP of $599.6 billion tops that of...
...is richer than Thailand: $547.4 billion
The GDPs of Thailand amounts to $547.4 billion, and the country's key industries include advanced and hi-tech manufacturing and services, as well as tourism, which has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Virginia: $554.2 billion...
The economy of Virginia is enviably diverse and the state's varied industries generate enormous sums of money. Advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, services, defense and agriculture are the key sectors. Last year, Virginia's GDP was $554.2 billion, larger than that of two Middle Eastern countries...
...is richer than Iran and Bahrain: $536.4 billion
While Iran is the ninth largest oil-producing nation in the world, Bahrain is heavily dependent on oil exports, although it's a much smaller player globally. Despite their combined oil wealth, the two countries' GDPs are nearly $20 billion lower than that of Virginia.
North Carolina: $587.7 billion...
Three sectors are crucial to North Carolina's economy: agriculture, financial services and manufacturing. The Old North State has more textile factories than any other and is a major center for furniture-making. Last year, its GDP totaled $587.7 billion, outpacing two European nations...
...is richer than Ireland and Hungary: $582.9 billion
These two advanced EU economies took a battering following the global financial crisis, but had been on the road to recovery until recently. Ireland in particular had been the fastest-growing economy in Europe, although like much of the world it has fallen into recession following the coronavirus pandemic, posting a record quarterly slump of -6.1% in the second quarter of this year.
Massachusetts: $595.6 billion...
America's 11th most affluent state, moneyed Massachusetts has a highly sophisticated economy. The state's biggest industries include financial services, healthcare and higher education, and its GDP is an impressive $595.6 billion, surpassing...
...is richer than Belgium: $553.8 billion
Considered the informal capital of the European Union, the small country of Belgium may only have a population of just over 11 million but it's one of the biggest economies in Europe, with a diversified economy consisting of services, manufacturing, transport, and hi-tech industries.
Georgia: $616.3 billion...
Georgia has a fantastically diverse economy. Prominent sectors in the state include advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, services and even movies and TV. Georgia's GDP is more than 32 times greater than that of its namesake country, which totals just $18.9 billion, and also beats...
...is richer than Sweden: $576.7 billion
Sweden is similar in population size to Georgia, and is one of the world's wealthiest nations. The Scandinavian country has a highly advanced mixed economy driven by services, advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, hydropower and forestry. However, it's not as rich as the Peach State.
New Jersey: $644.8 billion...
New Jersey is a mega-rich state and a center for healthcare, life sciences and biopharmaceutical companies, as well as IT, advanced manufacturing and financial services. Last year, its GDP was $644.8 billion, outperforming...
...is richer than Taiwan: $633.7 billion
Asia's seventh richest country by GDP, Taiwan is a high-income nation with an advanced economy based on advanced and hi-tech manufacturing. The electronics and IT industries are particularly strong in the Asian country.
Ohio: $698.5 billion...
Ohio has experienced a decline in manufacturing over the past several decades, but the state has diversified its economy with great success. Top industries these days include aerospace and defense, bioscience, renewable energy and services. Last year, Ohio's GDP hit $698.5 billion, surpassing...
...is richer than Poland: $643.3 billion
Though it has more than three times the population of Ohio, Poland has a weaker economy. Advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, steel-making and service industries are its major employers.
Pennsylvania: $813.5 billion...
Advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, food processing and services are the largest industries in prosperous Pennsylvania, which is America's sixth richest state. Its GDP of $813.5 billion is greater than that of...
...is richer than Switzerland: $740.7 billion
Think rich country and Switzerland is likely to spring to mind. The service sector dominates in the wealth-packed Alpine nation with financial services and tourism the key industries. Specialized manufacturing such as the production of high-end watches is also important, as are pharmaceuticals.
Illinois: $897.1 billion...
With Chicago at the helm, Illinois is one wealthy state. Its economy is extremely diverse and a number of industries are key, including advanced and hi-tech manufacturing, financial services and logistics. Last year, Illinois' GDP reached $897.1 billion, topping...
...is richer than Saudi Arabia: $790.1 billion
The Prairie State may not be sitting on vast reserves of oil but it's actually more than $100 billion better off than Saudi Arabia. This Gulf country is currently heavily oil-dependent, but it's busy diversifying its economy to reduce its reliance on the commodity, for example by opening its borders to tourists. Although plans to boost tourism had to be put on hold due to coronavirus, the kingdom plans to resume its tourist visa scheme by early 2021.
Florida: $1.09 trillion...
Tourism, agriculture and transportation are the linchpins of the Sunshine State's economy, which is the fourth largest in America. GDP in the state has surpassed $1 trillion, beating...
...is richer than the Netherlands: $954.9 billion
One of the wealthiest nations in Europe and the world, the Netherlands has a highly advanced economy. The main industries in the country range from services to hi-tech agriculture and natural gas production.
New York: $1.73 trillion...
America's third biggest state, New York's economy is dominated by the Big Apple. Financial services, real estate and advanced and hi-tech manufacturing pull in the most cash, but agriculture is also important to the state's economy. Last year, New York's GDP was $1.73 trillion, which tops...
...is richer than Australia: $1.48 trillion
Australia has one of the world's most developed advanced economies and one of the highest GDPs per capita. The chief money-spinning sectors include mining, services, agriculture, and advanced and hi-tech manufacturing.
Texas: $1.89 trillion...
Everything is big in the Lone Star State, including the economy. In fact, the Texan economy is the second largest in America. Key industries in the state range from energy – Texas has massive deposits of oil but is also a world leader in renewables – to aerospace and agriculture. Last year, the state's GDP hit $1.89 trillion, outpacing...
...is richer than Canada: $1.83 trillion
America's northern neighbor is a prosperous nation. Canada has a highly developed mixed economy, which is based on services and energy in the most part. Like Texas, the country has enormous reserves of oil and other natural resources.
California: $3.14 trillion...
California boasts America's largest economy. If the state was a sovereign country, it would be the fifth richest on the planet. Money flows freely in California, which is a hub for everything from the movie and IT industries to winemaking. Last year, its GDP soared to $3.14 trillion, surpassing...
...is richer than the UK: $2.83 trillion
The UK has the world's sixth largest economy, not counting California of course, and accounts for a hefty 3.18% of the planet's GDP. Industries in the highly advanced nation, which was the first in the world to industrialize, are diverse, and include financial services, aerospace, pharmaceuticals and retail.
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