Comparing United States and European Union by Economy

The United States and the European Union are the two largest economies globally in nominal terms. As of 2026, together they account for 43.97% of global GDP in nominal terms and 28.28% in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms.

According to IMF projections for 2026, the United States is expected to have a nominal GDP of $31,821 billion, leading the European Union by $9,306 billion, or about 1.41 times the EU’s GDP of $22,515 billion at current exchange rates. In PPP terms, the gap is smaller, with the United States ahead by Int. $1,638 billion, or about 1.05 times the EU’s GDP (Int. $30,184 billion).

Estimates from the World Bank and IMF show that between 1960 and 2026, the United States has had a higher nominal GDP for 54 years, while the European Union has exceeded the United States for 13 years. 2011 was the most recent year in which the EU’s GDP was higher than that of the United States. The GDP ratio between the two economies was highest in favor of the United States in 1960, at 1.90×. In contrast, the European Union’s advantage peaked in 1980, when its GDP was 1.16× that of the United States. In PPP terms, the two economies have generally been close, although the United States has led most of the time.

As of 2026, the United States has a nominal GDP per capita nearly twice that of the European Union. Even after adjusting for purchasing power parity (PPP), the U.S. GDP per capita remains about 38% higher than the EU average. The United States has maintained a higher GDP per capita than the EU continuously since 1960.

Looking ahead, the United States is projected to grow at around 2% annually in the coming years, while the European Union may remain below the 2% mark. Historically, the European Union recorded its highest GDP growth rate of 7.03% in 1969 and its lowest rate of −5.58% in 2020. The United States recorded its highest GDP growth rate of 7.24% in 1984 and its lowest rate of −2.58% in 2009.

Between 1960 and 2024, the EU achieved growth above 5% in nine years. During the same period, the U.S. economy grew above 5% in ten years. GDP growth was negative in seven years for the United States, compared with six years for the European Union.

• GDP
• GDP per capita
• GDP growth

Projections by IMF

Estimates by World Bank