Economic Growth in the United States, India, and China over the Past CenturyReal GDP per capita from 1910 to 2010, measured in 2005 dollars, is shown for the United States, India, and China. Equal percentage changes in real GDP per capita are drawn the same size. India and China currently have a much higher growth rate than the United States. However, China has only recently attained the standard of living achieved in the United States in 1910, while India is still poorer than the United States was in 1910.

Sources: Angus Maddison, January 2003; J. Bolt and J. L. van Zanden, “The First Update of the Maddison Project; Re-Estimating Growth Before 1820,” Maddison Project Working Paper 4, January 2003, http://www.ggdc.net/maddison/maddison-project/home.htm.