Here’s How Much the Average Person Makes in 30 Countries Around the World

The average per capita income worldwide is $10,298, according to the World Bank — and the differences in income between the poorest countries and richest countries in the world is staggering. Per capita annual incomes worldwide range from $280 in Burundi to $82,230 in Norway, with the U.S. in between at $56,180.

GOBankingRates looked at the average per capita income in 30 countries around the world, comparing incomes in some of the richest and poorest countries in each continent. All data is based on the World Bank and OECD National Accounts data files measuring the Gross National Income (GNI) in each country for 2016, the latest year for which the data is available. The GNI is defined by the OECD as the gross domestic product, plus net receipts from abroad of wages and salaries and of property income, plus net taxes and subsidies receivable from abroad.

Find out which counties are the poorest, and which countries have the wealthiest people.

Per capita income: $11,960

Argentina currently has the third-highest per capita income in South America. The country reached its highest GNI per capita in 2013, when it peaked at $12,770. The average income has been up and down since then; it’s now roughly where it was in 2012. It might be a premium travel destination, but Argentina still makes for an affordable retirement option.

Per capita income: $54,420

Australia has the highest per capita income in the Oceania region. Income in the nation peaked in 2013 at $65,640, and has been dropping since then. Still, the average income in Australia is more than five times the worldwide average. The richest person in Australia is a mining magnate.

Per capita income: $21,020

The average income in the Bahamas is more than double the average worldwide income, but less than half the average income in the United States. The GNI per capita in the island nation peaked in 2007 at $23,860, and has been up and down since then.

A previous GOBankingRates study found that the Bahamas is one of the most expensive places to live in the world.

Per capita income: $3,070

Bolivia has the lowest per capita income in South America; the country’s average income is less than one-third of the worldwide average. Although the average income is low in Bolivia, it has been steadily increasing since 2003. It is now more than double what it was in 2008.

Per capita income: $8,840

Brazil’s GNI per capita peaked in 2013 at $12,730, and has been declining since then. From 2015 to 2016, the average income in Brazil dropped 12.3 percent. The average income in Brazil is now $1,458 below the worldwide average.

Per capita income: $43,660

Canada has the second-highest per capita income in North America. Canada’s GNI per capita peaked in 2013 at $52,620, and has dropped every year since then. Average income in Canada is now 17 percent less than what it was when it was at its peak.

Per capita income: $13,530

The GNI per capita in Chile peaked in 2013 at $15,350 and has fallen each year since. However, the average income in Chile is still over $3,000 more than the worldwide average.

Per capita income: $8,260

The per capita income in China is at its highest point ever; it’s been steadily increasing throughout recent history. The average income has been increasing so rapidly in recent years that it has more than doubled since 2009.

Per capita income: $3,460

Egypt has had a steady increase in per capita income since 2004, and it’s now the highest it’s ever been. The average income in the African nation has more than doubled since 2007 — but it’s still just barely more than a third of the worldwide average.

Even though wages are low, so is the cost of living: A 2017 GOBankingRates study found that Egypt is one of the cheapest countries to live in.

Per capita income: $660

The average per capita income in Ethiopia is less than one-ninth the worldwide average. However, it is the highest it’s ever been, and the GNI per capita has been steadily increasing since 2003. The average income in Ethiopia has more than doubled since 2008.

Per capita income: $38,950

The average person in France makes roughly double what they made in 1989, but less than what they made in 2011 when the GNI per capita was at its highest at $44,220. Incomes have been decreasing since then — with the exception of a slight increase in 2013. France is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but California still earns more in GDP.

Per capita income: $780

Haiti has the lowest per capita income in North America. The island nation had its highest GNI per capita in 2014, when it reached $820. Although it has dropped since then, the average income is now more than twice what it was in 2004.

Per capita income: $2,150

Honduras’ average income is now at its all-time high; the GNI per capita has been steadily increasing since 1994. However, the per capita income in the Central American nation is still low compared to the rest of the world: The average income in Honduras is less than one-fourth the worldwide average.

Per capita income: $1,680

Although the per capita income in India is much lower than the worldwide average, it is on the rise and has been steadily increasing since 2002. The average GNI per capita has been growing so rapidly in recent years that it has more than doubled since 2006.

A previous GOBankingRates study found that India is the cheapest country to live in in the world.

Per capita income: $36,190

The average income in Israel is at its all-time high, with average incomes rising steadily since 2002. In just the past five years (2011 to 2016), the average GNI per capita has risen 14.6 percent.

Per capita income: $31,590

Average income in Italy hovered around $37,700 from 2008 to 2011, but it has been declining since then. The average per capita income in Italy is now the lowest it has been since 2004.

A 2017 GOBankingRates study found that Italy is one of the most expensive countries to live in.

Per capita income: $38,000

Income in Japan steadily increased until 1996, but growth hasn’t been as consistent in the past 20 years. Average per capita income in Japan hit its highest point in 2012, but has been decreasing ever since. Thanks to its exchange rate, Japan is a good place for U.S. travelers to explore while the dollar is still strong.

Per capita income: $400

Madagascar has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the world. The highest the GNI per capita has ever been in the African country was $460, and that high was reached in 1980. It most recently peaked at $440 in 2014, but has dropped the last two years.

Per capita income: $9,760

Even though the per capita income in Mauritius is $538 below the worldwide average, the nation still has the highest per capita income in Africa. Income in Mauritius rose steadily from 2002 to 2013, but has remained about the same since then.

Per capita income: $9,040

The per capita income in Mexico peaked in 2014 at $10,190. It is now back to around where it was in 2011, when the GNI per capita was $9,170.

A previous GOBankingRates study found that Mexico is the fifth cheapest country to live in.

Per capita income: $39,070

New Zealand’s per capita income has declined the last couple of years; it peaked in 2014 at $41,530. However, the per capita income is 21 percent more than what it was in 2011.

Per capita income: $82,330

Norway is the richest country in the world, but the average income has actually been declining over the last couple of years. The GNI per capita peaked in 2014 at $104,860 and dropped to $93,560 in 2015. The current per capita income in Norway is the lowest it has been since 2007.

Even though people in Norway make a high income, it’s one of the most expensive places to live in the world, a previous GOBankingRates study found.

Per capita income: $9,720

The average per capita income in Russia has dropped more than 34 percent between its peak in 2013 and 2016. Although income has been declining in recent years, the average income in Russia is now more than double what it was in 2005. The richest Russians make their billions through heavy industries like mining.

Per capita income: $51,880

Singapore has the highest GNI per capita in all of Asia, and an average per capita income that is more than five times the worldwide average. The GNI per capita reached its highest point in Singapore in 2014, when it peaked at $55,720.

Even though people in Singapore make higher incomes on average than the rest of Asia, it’s also one of the most expensive Asian countries to live in — second only to Japan — a previous GOBankingRates study found.

Per capita income: $5,480

The GNI per capita in South Africa peaked in 2012 at $7,610, and has been declining steadily since then. The income in the African country is now the lowest it has been since 2005.

Per capita income: $27,520

Spain’s average per capita income is roughly half the average per capita income in the U.S., but more than double the worldwide average. GNI per capita in Spain was at its highest in 2009, when the average was $32,770. Income has decreased in the European nation every year since then.

Per capita income: $5,640

Income in Thailand rose from 2001 to 2014, reaching a peak of $5,750. Fortunately, while the average income has decreased over the last two years, it has decreased less than 2 percent. The average GNI per capita in Thailand is just over half the worldwide average.

Per capita income: $11,180

The GNI per capita in Turkey peaked in 2014 at $12,590, and dropped over the next two years. Still, the average income in Turkey is $882 more than the worldwide average.

Per capita income: $56,180

The United States has the highest per capita income in North America. The average income in the U.S. is currently at its peak; it has been rising steadily since 2009. The GNI per capita in the U.S is now more than double what it was in 1994. Americans on average make five times more than the worldwide average income, and Jeff Bezos makes the most of anybody.

Per capita income: $15,230

Uruguay has the highest per capita income in South America, but the average income is actually down compared to what it was in 2014. That year, Uruguay’s GNI per capita peaked at $16,230. It has been declining since then.