Cyprus Ranks Mid-Table in Global Wealth List 2025
The Global Wealth Divide: Switzerland Tops, Burundi Bottoms in New Economic Ranking
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A complete assessment of 178 countries has placed Switzerland at the pinnacle of global wealth, while Burundi languishes at the bottom, highlighting stark disparities in economic well-being worldwide. The influential ranking, which considers income at market exchange rates, purchasing power adjusted for local prices, and earnings adjusted for both prices and working hours, offers a nuanced view of global prosperity.
Switzerland’s Reign and the Cost of Living
Switzerland leads the pack in nominal GDP per person, boasting average earnings exceeding $100,000 last year. Singapore and Norway follow closely, with figures of $90,700 and $86,800 respectively. Though, the report also underscores Switzerland’s status as one of the most expensive nations globally, tempering the impact of its high salaries on the everyday lives of its citizens.
Purchasing Power and Working Hours Reshape the leaderboard
when purchasing power, adjusted for local costs, is factored in, Singapore surges to the forefront. Further adjustments for working hours see Norway reclaim the top spot for the second consecutive year, with Qatar and Denmark rounding out the top three.
The united States, despite being the world’s largest economy by total GDP, ranks fourth, seventh, and sixth across the three key measures. In comparison, Britain occupies the 19th, 27th, and 25th positions.
Burundi’s Economic Reality at the Other Extreme
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Burundi is identified as the poorest nation. With a population predominantly under 17 years old, incomes in Burundi represent a mere 0.15 percent of Switzerland’s. The report illustrates this disparity by noting that a single Swiss income could support 100 Burundians after adjusting for price differences.
Cyprus: A Middle Ground in Global Economics
Cyprus, according to the British publication, positions itself considerably above the lowest-income nations but falls short of the global elite. The island nation’s GDP per person at market exchange rates stands at $26,700,rising to $42,400 when adjusted for price differences. When both prices and working hours are considered, Cyprus reaches $59,500, reflecting its relatively affordable cost of living and balanced work patterns compared to some higher-ranked economies.
Greece’s Economic Performance: A Comparative Look
Neighboring Greece ranks just below Cyprus on the initial measure, with a GDP per person of $24,800.Though, it performs slightly better when adjusted for price differences, reaching $44,100. Greece’s figure drops to $38,400 when factoring in both prices and working hours, indicating a heavier work burden relative to income.
Structural Factors Influencing Rankings
the Economist’s analysis also sheds light on structural differences between countries that influence these economic indicators. In economies with lower female workforce participation, such as Saudi Arabia and Turkey, earnings are concentrated among a smaller segment of the population, which can inflate per-hour income figures.
Demographic Shifts and Their Economic Impact
Countries with unusually old or young populations also experience shifts in their rankings. As a notable example, Italy’s higher proportion of retirees and nigeria’s large non-working-age population mean a smaller working cohort supports a larger one in both nations.
Guyana’s Remarkable Ascent and US Performance
Guyana has achieved the most notable overall climb in this year’s rankings, advancing an average of 17 places. This surge is attributed to an oil boom that has boosted average incomes by over 40 percent year-on-year. The United States also saw a slight improvement, rising an average of 1.6 places,although The Economist pointed to the impact of tariffs on living standards.