Which nations make most of their billions off of fish sales?
What country hosts the gambling capital of the world?
Find out as we look at the 15 Richest Countries In The World.
#15 San Marino One of the smallest nations around the world,
the Republic of San Marino only has a population of a little more than 33 and a half thousand
people.
The expanse of the country is small as well at just 24 square miles.
But size isn’t everything, as San Marino ranks among the strongest economies today.
With a GDP per capita of 50.9 thousand dollars, it’s no wonder this rich little country
is the only nation in the world with more cars than there are people!
#14 Austria The nation of Austria boasts a strong, well-developed
social market economy that has elevated the country’s wealth among the elite.
Thanks to the work of labour movements, the citizens of this European country have enjoyed
moderate wages since the 1940s with more than half of the country’s salary and wage earner’s
belonging to unions.
Tourism also plays a major part in Austria’s economy, accounting for at least ten percent
of the country’s gross domestic product, or GDP.
Making a majority of its products to trade with surrounding EU countries, nearly 66%
of Austrian imports and exports are made within their home continent.
At a GDP per capita of 51.7 thousand dollars and a population of 8.75 million people, Austria
maintains its hold with one of the most stable and successful economies worldwide.
#13 Netherlands The Dutch have led Europe as one of the most
consistent producers in the agricultural, fishing, shipping and trading industries since
the 16th century.
A population of 17 million people inhabit the Netherlands and the country churns out
a GDP per capita of 52.9 thousand dollars!
In addition to its seaward domination, the Dutch people have also been fortunate to have
generated huge revenue from the discovery of natural gas resources in 1959.
The Netherlands have an open trade economy that allows them to prosper by relying on
foreign trade.
Their economy is notable across the globe for its low unemployment levels, decent surplus
and stable industrial relations.
The Netherlands expects to have hit a budget surplus of .8 percent in 2018 and its unemployment
rates are definitely below 5 percent.
Numerous other factors like the countries social programs and well protected employee
rights keep Dutch workers happy and the nation of the Netherlands near the top of the world’s
wealthiest.
#12 Sweden From 1995 to 2017, the national debt-to-GDP
ratio of Sweden dropped from 80 to 41 percent!
This economic stabilization represents the long road to recovery Sweden’s endured since
being hit with a severe financial crisis in the 90s.
The government has continuously maintained control over public spending and has received
three separate “AAA” [Triple A] ratings from the top credit agencies in the world.
But this change didn’t just arise from hard work and good luck, as the Swedish government
introduced inventive regulations to boost the economy.
These included the advent of utgiftstak, a public spending ceiling, and överskottsmålet,
a surplus goal for the country to aim towards.
These regulations keep the national debut in check and receive support from most all
Swedish politicians.Thanks to this strategy, the current GDP of Sweden has surged to an
impressive 53.87 thousand dollars per capita!
#11 Australia The success of the Australian economy stands
sturdy atop many pillars that are to thank for their placement on this list.
A rich source of minerals as the global leader in aluminum and opal, the land down under
also exports diamonds, gold, iron ore, nickel, and silver around the world.
The nation has a steady supply of natural gas and oil, too.
It’s massive plains host enormous plantations of grains, industrial crops and herds of livestock.
Australia has the second largest population of sheep and is the second largest exporter
of beef, with the country’s food exports being among the most profitable of any region.
High quality education, an excellent tourism industry and an immigration policy aimed at
attracting higher performing workers rather than diverse ones all assist in making Australian
wealth as stable as it’s become.
However, one of the most important factors is the country’s relatively low population.
With so few bodies spread across the large expanse of Australia, the GDP per capita is
up to 56.7 thousand dollars!
#10 Denmark The nation of Denmark is enjoying its long
history of wealth that came from the ability to constantly adapt.
Beginning with the Treaty of Kiel, after losing much of their country’s land, population,
and economical standing, Denmark was on mission to rebuild.
Employing an array of property reforms, new farming techniques, and improvements to the
government infrastructure all helped push the nation in the right direction.
Suddenly Denmark had become a farmer’s haven, as the country had developed an entire economy
based on agriculture.
By the time 1950 rolled around, the farm-based nation was the only one of its kind, producing
65% of the GDP via agriculture with up to 50 percent of the population being employed
by farmers.
But then the industrial age came, and by 1972, only 4 percent or less worked in agriculture.
An oil crisis quickly ended that movement and Asian countries moved in to take that
market, leaving the Danish to now switch to the service industry!
Hundreds of thousands of citizens required reeducation for these new jobs, but overall,
Denmark’s quick action paid off as the nation remains successful today, boasting a GDP of
61.2 thousand dollars per capita!
#9 Singapore Unlike many other countries on this list,
Singapore can attribute most of their economic success to a singular entity: Lee Kuan Yew.
As the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew is recognized as the founding
father of the nation as he governed Singapore for three decades.
With no natural resources and sparse land, the small island country had its work cut
out for it since attaining independence in 1965.
But under Lee’s direction, Singapore grew swiftly thanks to its dedicated workforce
and focus on external trade.
Today the nation is a shadow of the “third world” label it once was given.
Instead it serves as a worldwide frontrunner in education, entertainment, finance, innovation,
technology and tourism.
Income inequality is unfortunately an issue, however education, healthcare, and life expectancy
rates are equally high.
And so, Singapore files into the elite ranks with a GDP of 61.23 thousand dollars per capita.
#8 United States Despite one of the most devastating recessions
to hit the United States in recent years, America is still very wealthy.
While the country currently has a national debt of nearly 20 trillion dollars, the GDP
per capita remains a strong 62 and a half thousand dollars per capita.
Given the U.S. population of more than 327 million people, the GDP per capita just barely
edges out the debt per capita, putting America ahead of its debts for the time being.
A service oriented and foreign trade focused nation, the majority of wealth in the states
relies on technological and scientific advancements brought to the retail and service industry
level.
High production and high spending levels keep the U.S. economy afloat.
After all, there’s nothing more American than spending some hard-earned cash.
#7 Qatar One of the wealthiest nations in the Middle
East, as well as the world, the nation of Qatar has flipped its natural resource reserves
into a path of success.
Rather than take the revenue generated by their high supply of fossil fuels and spend
it frivolously like other countries, Qatar has instead reinvested their profits into
other industries.
In addition to diversifying its economy, the country also retains a large amount of those
fuel reserves for their own use as well.
Boasting a GDP per capita of 67.8 thousand dollars, it was just four years ago that Qatar
would have been at the top of this list with a GDP of 98.8 thousand dollars a person!
The young residents of Qatar, which has a relatively youthful population, typically
spend their wealth on lavish purchases such as multimillion-dollar pieces of artwork and
exotic pets such as cheetahs.
#6 Ireland Unlike many of the countries on this list
that rely on exporting goods and their own natural resources, Ireland taps a different
resource to make their millions: the minds of their own citizens.
Dealing majorly in knowledge-based industries like financial services, life sciences and
high technology, the majority of Irish wealth comes from software, medical technology, information
and communications technology, and pharmaceutical companies.
Though the cost of living in the green and gold country is incredibly high, the people
of Ireland manage thanks to a whole bunch of well paying jobs.
The national GDP of the Celtic nation is about 75.2 thousand dollars per capita.
#5 Iceland In the chilly northern lands of Europe lies
the burgeoning economy of Iceland, buoyed above the lower 15 on this list by its excellent
sources of natural energy.
The difficult terrain of the country combine with a harsh climate to create the perfect
conductor of hydroelectric power.
This combined with a large resource of geothermal power make manufacturing plants in this nation
all the more productive.
Within the rapid waters that push Iceland’s hydroelectric generators are one of its main
exports...fish!
The fifth largest distributor of fish in the world, Iceland also exports fuels, metals,
and mining products to bring the GDP per capita of the small nation to 75.7 thousand dollars!
#4 Macao SAR Once a colony of Portugal, the small island
region of Macao now operates as an autonomous entity of China.
This special administrative region is as diverse as it is wealthy thanks to its position as
the gambling capital of the world.
With its famed Cotai Strip earning the nickname of the Las Vegas of Asia, it’s no wonder
this densely populated tourist destination produces a GDP per capita of 81.59 thousand
dollars.
Popular Las Vegas destinations have built new casinos in Macao since the government
opened the doors to new investors in 2002.
Today, the sovereign Asian state hosts gorgeous casinos from the Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts,
and the MGM Mirage.
#3 Norway This lightly populated Nordic country is large
and chock full of natural resources.
Relying heavily on fish and oil, Norwegian GDP is an astounding 82.37 thousand dollars
per capita.
Much of the countries revenue comes from these trades but what generates even more wealth
for the nation’s population is the way in which it’s taxed.
Money brought into the Norwegian government through oil operations taxation has been entered
into a state-run fund and diversely invested to generate revenue for the future of the
country.
This oil fund called the Government Pension Fund Global currently owns 1.3 percent of
global stocks and is worth $195,000 per Norwegian citizen.
#2 Switzerland Whether looking at their banking or their
chocolate, one major factor fuels the progress of Swiss economic success: innovation.
With their main exports being precious gems and metals, pharmaceuticals, and machinery,
Switzerland specializes in making highly sought-after, luxury items.
Along with being luxurious, the Swiss are known for efficiency with the invention of
world-changing goods like Velcro, Cellophane, Milk Chocolate, Antihistamines, Fondue, Aluminum
Foil, Numbered Bank Accounts and of course the Swiss Army Knife.
Also lending to their impressive 83.58 thousand dollar per capita GDP is their neutrality.
For one and a half centuries, Switzerland has remained politically and internationally
impartial, allowing it to profit from most all potentially partnering nations.
#1 Luxembourg The small European nation of Luxembourg tops
this list thanks to hosting growing tech companies such as Amazon and Skype within its borders.
In addition, many finance corporations and private banks call this Green Heart of Europe
home, guaranteeing low unemployment rates.
And at the heart of the European Union with surrounding countries like Germany, Belgium
and France, exporting, importing, and hiring all come much easier for the small nation
which hosts less than a million native Luxembourgers.
Thanks to this perfect blend of elements, Luxembourg proudly enjoys a GDP of 113.95
thousand dollars per capita!
Which country do you expect to move up the rankings in the next 5 years?
Let us know in the comments section below.