The Richest Countries In The World 2025 – WorldAtlas

Global Economic Prosperity Report 2025: An Analysis Through the Lens of Sustainable Development Goals

This report analyzes the world’s wealthiest nations, as measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita adjusted for Purchasing Power Parity (PPP), based on 2025 IMF data. The analysis focuses on how the economic structures of these leading countries align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

High GDP per capita figures often reflect successful implementation of policies that foster innovation, robust infrastructure, and diversified economies. However, sustainable prosperity also requires a commitment to social equity (SDG 10), environmental responsibility (SDG 13), and long-term resource management.

Top 10 Countries by GDP Per Capita (PPP) and SDG Alignment

1. Liechtenstein: $201,112
2. Singapore: $156,969
3. Luxembourg: $152,394
4. Ireland: $147,878
5. Qatar: $122,283
6. Norway: $106,694
7. Switzerland: $97,659
8. Brunei Darussalam: $94,472
9. Guyana: $94,189
10. United States: $89,598

Country-Specific Analysis

1. Liechtenstein

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Liechtenstein has transitioned from an agrarian to a highly industrialized economy. Its prosperity is built on a foundation of advanced manufacturing, with a focus on high-value exports like precision instruments and specialty machinery. Significant investment in research and development underpins this innovative industrial base.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The nation’s robust financial services sector, which contributes nearly 58% of GDP, provides stable, high-value employment. The economy’s strength is reflected in its low unemployment rate and AAA credit rating, indicating sustainable economic growth.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Strong economic integration with Switzerland and access to the EU market via EFTA and the EEA demonstrate effective international partnerships that drive its economic success.

2. Singapore

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Singapore’s status as a high-income economy is a direct result of strategic investments in world-class infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Its business-friendly environment fosters continuous innovation.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The “Singapore Green Plan 2030” is a clear commitment to sustainable development, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050. This initiative directly addresses the need for environmentally sustainable urban living.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Singapore ranks highest in the World Bank Human Capital Index, a testament to its focus on quality education. Initiatives like SkillsFuture ensure the workforce remains adaptable and highly skilled, driving long-term economic growth.

3. Luxembourg

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The Grand Duchy has successfully diversified its economy from steel production to a services-based model, anchored by a world-leading financial sector. This transition has ensured sustained economic growth and high-quality employment opportunities.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Luxembourg is actively building a resilient infrastructure for the future by developing strengths in ICT, data centers, and a pioneering space economy. This forward-looking strategy promotes technological advancement and economic diversification.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): As a key financial hub within the European Union, Luxembourg’s economy thrives on cross-border finance and international cooperation, operating within EU/OECD transparency standards.

4. Ireland

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Ireland’s “Celtic Tiger” transformation created a high-income, FDI-driven economy. Growth is anchored by high-productivity sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and finance, which provide skilled employment.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The economy is a prime example of attracting investment in innovative and high-tech industries, supported by a highly skilled, English-speaking workforce and access to the EU market.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The use of metrics like GNI* alongside GDP acknowledges that multinational activities can distort economic figures, reflecting an effort to gain a more accurate understanding of domestic living standards and underlying economic well-being.

5. Qatar

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Qatar’s wealth is founded on its vast natural gas reserves, making it a pivotal player in global energy markets.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Guided by Qatar National Vision 2030, the nation is actively pursuing economic diversification to reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons. This strategy aims to foster private-sector growth and develop non-oil industries, ensuring long-term economic stability.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Massive investment in the North Field LNG expansion projects will boost production capacity, while parallel investments in logistics, finance, and tourism are building a more diversified and resilient economic infrastructure.

6. Norway

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Norway exemplifies responsible resource management. Revenue from its petroleum sector is channeled into the Government Pension Fund Global, a sovereign wealth fund that insulates the domestic economy from energy price volatility and supports long-term, stable growth.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The fund’s proceeds are used to support a high-income welfare state, ensuring that natural resource wealth contributes to high living standards and social equity for all citizens.
• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): While a major fossil fuel exporter, Norway is also focused on the energy transition, investing in green technology and sustainable energy solutions to secure its future prosperity in a low-carbon world.

7. Switzerland

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Switzerland’s economy is a global leader in innovation. Its wealth is built on highly specialized, high-value industries such as pharmaceuticals, precision machinery, and medical technology, which are heavily reliant on R&D.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, which account for over half of all exports, make a significant global contribution to health and well-being.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Political stability, the rule of law, and a strong currency create a predictable and resilient economic environment, characterized by low inflation and high living standards.

8. Brunei Darussalam

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The nation’s high income per capita is primarily derived from its extensive oil and natural gas resources and a long-established LNG export industry.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Under the Wawasan Brunei 2035 framework, the country is pursuing economic diversification to create new growth engines and employment opportunities beyond the energy sector.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): Strategic investments in downstream petrochemical projects and industrial parks are broadening the manufacturing base and building a more resilient, diversified economy for the future.

9. Guyana

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Guyana is experiencing unprecedented economic growth, driven by the rapid development of its offshore oil reserves. This has transformed it from a low-middle-income country into one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): A key policy challenge is to leverage oil revenues for sustainable development. The government is focused on investing in infrastructure, education, and skills training to diversify the economy and ensure that growth is inclusive and long-lasting.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): The establishment of the Natural Resource Fund is a critical mechanism for managing resource wealth transparently and equitably, aiming to convert finite natural resources into sustainable development benefits for the entire population.

10. United States

Economic Profile and SDG Contributions

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The U.S. remains the world’s largest economy, driven by a culture of innovation and leadership in technology, finance, and advanced manufacturing. High R&D intensity and world-leading universities are central to its economic dynamism.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): A deeply diversified, services-led economy provides a wide range of employment opportunities. Recent investment booms in fields like artificial intelligence are expected to sustain demand and capital spending, driving future growth.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): As a global hub for finance and technology, the U.S. plays a central role in global capital markets and innovation ecosystems, attracting talent and investment from around the world.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article, which focuses on national economic prosperity measured by GDP per capita, connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary connections are with goals related to economic growth, industry, innovation, and sustainable development strategies.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The entire article is centered on measuring and explaining the economic growth of nations, using GDP per capita as the main metric. It discusses the factors that drive high national incomes, such as specialized industries, robust financial sectors, and natural resource management, which are all components of economic performance.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The text repeatedly highlights the role of industrialization, innovation, and technology in achieving economic prosperity. It provides examples such as Liechtenstein’s transformation into an industrialized nation, Singapore’s investment in infrastructure, and the United States’ technological leadership and high R&D intensity.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The article links the wealth of several countries (Qatar, Norway, Brunei, Guyana) directly to their abundant oil and natural gas reserves. It also touches upon the energy transition, mentioning Norway’s focus on “green-technology niches” and its management of petroleum revenues for long-term sustainability.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: A direct link to climate action is made in the section about Singapore, which has launched the “Singapore Green Plan 2030” with the specific aim of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating the integration of climate goals into national economic strategy.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The importance of human capital is mentioned as a key driver of economic success. The article notes Singapore’s high ranking on the World Bank Human Capital Index, its investments in education, and its “SkillsFuture” initiative. It also refers to Ireland’s “highly skilled workforce” as a core economic asset.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth. The article is fundamentally an analysis of this target, ranking countries by their GDP per capita. It provides specific growth figures, such as Singapore’s historical average of 7% annual GDP growth and Guyana’s 43.6% jump in 2024.
2. Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article provides numerous examples, including:
   • Liechtenstein’s focus on high-value exports and R&D.
   • Luxembourg’s diversification from steel to a services economy based on finance and ICT.
   • Qatar’s “National Vision 2030” and Brunei’s “Wawasan Brunei 2035,” both aimed at diversifying their economies away from hydrocarbons.
   • The United States’ economy, described as “innovation-intensive.”
3. Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors…and encourage innovation. This is demonstrated by Liechtenstein’s heavy investment in R&D, Switzerland’s innovation-driven economy, and the USA’s high R&D intensity and leadership in technology and venture funding.
4. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. Singapore’s “Green Plan 2030” is a direct example of a national strategy that integrates climate goals (net-zero emissions) into its long-term development planning.
5. Target 4.4: Substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills…for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship. Singapore’s “SkillsFuture” initiative, designed to enhance workforce adaptability and skill development, directly addresses this target. The mention of Ireland’s “highly skilled workforce” also aligns with this goal.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that are used to measure progress towards the identified SDG targets:

• Indicator 8.1.1 (Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita): This is the primary indicator used throughout the article. Specific values for “GDP/Capita (PPP)” are provided for every country listed in the tables. The text also cites specific real GDP growth rates for Singapore and Guyana.
• Indicator 9.2.1 (Manufacturing value added as a proportion of GDP): The article implies this indicator when it states that industry contributes “over 40%” to Liechtenstein’s GDP, showing the significance of its industrial sector.
• Indicator 9.5.1 (Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP): While not providing specific percentages, the article’s emphasis on “heavy investment in research and development” in countries like Liechtenstein and the “high R&D intensity” in the United States points directly to this indicator as a measure of their innovation capacity.
• Policy and Strategy Indicators: The article references specific national plans that serve as indicators of commitment to certain goals. Examples include:
  • The “Singapore Green Plan 2030” as an indicator for Target 13.2.
  • Qatar’s “National Vision 2030” and Brunei’s “Wawasan Brunei 2035” as indicators of progress towards economic diversification (Target 8.2).
  • Singapore’s “SkillsFuture” initiative as an indicator for developing a skilled workforce (Target 4.4).
• Human Capital Index: The article mentions that Singapore “ranking highest in the World Bank Human Capital Index” is a direct measure related to the quality of education and skills in the workforce (relevant to SDG 4).

4. Table of Identified SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: worldatlas.com