Experts from the IMF (International Monetary Fund) annually conduct global surveys on GDP (Gross Domestic Product) per capita and, on their basis, determine the 10 richest countries in the world. At the same time, they note that the modern world economy is unstable, but despite this, the top ten leaders hardly change from year to year. In 2013, the following countries were named.
Qatar
"The pearl of the Persian Gulf", as the state of Qatar is called, has been leading the list of the richest countries in the world for several years in a row. The country is small, not everyone will find it on the map. Travelers learned about it only at the beginning of the last century. The state began dynamic development after gaining independence from England in 1971. Today Qatar boasts the highest standard of living among Muslim countries, with a per capita GDP of US $ 102,211. In many respects, the state owes this to the presence of rich natural resources on its territory.
Qatar may be known to many as the owner of the famous information channel "Al-Jazeera", as well as as a state that annually organizes international tennis tournaments, which are held in its capital, Doha.
Luxembourg
One of the smallest countries in Europe. Territory 2586 sq. km. The level of GDP per capita in Luxembourg is about $ 80,000 per year. The bulk of income is from the financial industry (in particular, the provision of banking services), as well as steel production. The state is a respected member of the European Union, ensuring the exemplary conduct of international monetary transactions. Most of the headquarters of the EU organizations are located here. Thanks to the offshore zone and favorable conditions for the placement of funds, Luxembourg attracted almost 1000 financial institutions and more than 200 world banks.
Singapore
Singapore, with its fantastic ultra-modern architecture of shopping and entertainment centers, a stunning mix of Asian and European cultures, rounds out the top three richest countries in the world. GDP per capita here is 60, 4 thousand dollars. The main source of income is the high-tech chemical and electronic industries.
Norway
Norway's GDP per capita in 2013 was $ 55,000. And all this thanks to its natural resources - oil, gas, forest, fishing. The state exports a significant part of the resources to many countries of the world. Norway is known for the lowest crime rate in Europe.
Brunei
"Islamic Disneyland" - this is the name of a small state located in Southeast Asia, for the wealth of its inhabitants and the fabulous wealth of the ruling sultan here. The local economy is based on the extraction and processing of oil and natural gas. The indicator of GDP per capita in Brunei is 54.4 thousand dollars.
USA
There is $ 49,922 in government revenue for every American per year in this country. Historically, the United States has been the world's most powerful superpower with a powerful economy. It is a leader in the production of high-tech products and in scientific research.
UAE
The United Arab Emirates lags just slightly behind the United States in terms of GDP per capita (by less than a thousand dollars). The Islamic State managed to achieve economic prosperity in a short time due to the skillful investment of funds from oil exports in the development of industry, agriculture (the local strawberries are eagerly awaited in Europe), tourism (the best hotels in the world are located here) and in the organization of free financial and economic zones …
Switzerland
Small territory and limited natural resources did not prevent Switzerland from becoming a highly developed industrial state. Here the GDP level is 45.4 thousand dollars for each inhabitant. The export industries include, first of all, high-precision mechanical engineering and mechanics, innovative pharmacology.
Switzerland's banking secrecy and political neutrality make the country an excellent destination for foreign investment.
Canada
The level of GDP per capita in Canada is 42, 7 thousand dollars. The country has a developed service sector, aerospace and automobile manufacturing, the raw materials sector, mining of gold, nickel, aluminum, and lead. Canada is not only the birthplace of hockey, but also the world's largest exporter of agricultural products.
Australia
Rounding out the top ten richest countries in the world, Australia is a member of many international organizations. There are 42.6 thousand dollars per capita here. The potential of mineral resources in the "land of kangaroos and immigrants" is 20 times greater than the average in the rest of the world. Australia has a third of the world's reserves of zirconium, uranium, bauxite. Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth are among the ten most comfortable cities in the world to live in.
Russia, despite practically inexhaustible natural resources, lags far behind the leading countries in terms of GDP per capita. But here's the paradox! - the number of people in the Russian Federation, whose fortune is estimated in millions and even billions of dollars, is significantly higher than in all of the above countries combined.
