When we define the most powerful countries in the world, we talk about their military might, economic strength, political influence, and cultural impact globally. Power comes in many forms but they must include the above-mentioned factors.
The most powerful countries in the world dominate news headlines because they shape global policies in terms of economy and politics. When they talk, the rest of the world listens. They track their military budgets and foreign policies religiously. What are the most powerful countries in the world? Let’s find out their details.
Top 20 powerful countries in the world and their details
1. United States
The United States of America remains the most powerful country in the world with a GDP of about $21.4 trillion. The GDP accounts for 24% of global GDP at current market exchange rates. Washington DC is the capital. The North American country has the world’s most dominant economic and military power.
With a population of 334,805,269, the United States is the most racially diverse nation on earth with massive immigration into the country. Apart from being the world’s most importer and exporter of products, her influence spread across the face of the world economically, politically, culturally. The US is a major nuclear power and has veto power on the United Nations security council. Joe Biden is the country’s current President.
2. China
China is one of the world’s oldest country and their economic growth has been exceptional throughout the last few decades. With a GDP of $14.3 trillion, China ranks as the second-largest economy after the US. China is also the most populous country in the world with a record population of about 1,407,745,000 people.
Beijing is the capital. The country operates a socialist system with a market-based economy that has the highest number of persons with a personal net worth of at least $110,000, according to Credit Suisse’s global wealth report. The country is another major nuclear power and a permanent member of the United Nations security council that has a veto right. Xi Jinping is the current President of China.
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3. Russia
Russia comes third in the list of most powerful countries in the world despite currently being at war with Ukraine at the time of this report. However, the country has the record of the world’s largest country in terms of land size (over 17 sq. km) and also the world’s natural gas center.
It also has the second-most powerful military base in the world, according to Global Fire Power Index . Moscow is the capital. Russia has a GDP of $1.69 trillion and a population of 144,406,261. In addition, it has the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons. The country is a permanent member of the United Nations security council and has a veto right on the council. Vladimir Putin is the country’s current President.
4. Japan
Japan has the record of being the most densely occupied and urbanized country in the world. With a GDP of $5.15 trillion and population of 126,264,93. The capital is Tokyo. Japan has a parliamentary government with a constitutional monarchy.
Like the United Kingdom, the emperor holds his title as a symbol of national unity, but elected politicians hold actual decision-making power. Japan has the third largest economy in the world. The country is well known for its cultures and traditions which has also influenced comics, animation, and video games. Emperor Naruhito is the current ruler in the country.
5. Germany
Germany is the second-most populated country in Europe after Russia. The capital is Berlin. With a GDP of $3.89 trillion and a population of 83,092,962, the country is one of the globe’s leading importers and exporters. Germany also belongs to major international organizations, including the United Nations, the European Union, the Group of 20, NATO, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The country operates a parliamentary democracy and the current Chancellor is Olaf Scholz.
6. United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is made up of the island of Great Britain – which contains England, Scotland, Wales, and the northern portion of the island of Ireland. The country has exerted major international economic, political, scientific and cultural influence for centuries. Currently fifth in the world in sixth with a GDP of $2.88 trillion and a population of 66,836,327, the capital is London which holds the financial power in the country.
The United Kingdom is an exporter of technology, industry, pop culture, education, literature, and the English Language is the official global language. The country is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a close ally of the US. UK operates a parliamentary system where Queen Elizabeth II is the reigning monarch while Boris Johnson is the Prime Minister.
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7. France
France has a GDP of $2.73 trillion and a population of 67,248,926 which is why it is the seventh most powerful country in the world. The capital is Paris. France possesses a number of overseas territories around the world and has 12 time zones, which is the highest in the world.
The country’s armed forces are sixth in the world and second most powerful in Europe, trailing behind Russia. France is famous for its food, wine, and romantic culture. The country has a considerable international influence, especially in Africa, and has the fourth largest nuclear weapon arsenal in the world. Emmanuel Macron is the current President of France.
8. South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a nation with a GDP of $1.65 trillion and a population of 51,709,098. The capital is Seoul and the country has a long history of conflict with its neighbor, North Korea. South Korea has a high-tech, service-based economy which made it become an OECD member country that is highly industrialised. The country is a member of many international organizations, including the United Nations, G-20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum, and World Trade Organization. Moon Jae is South Korea’s current President.
9. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Middle East by landmass. The capital is Riyadh. However, millions of devout Muslims from around the world prefer to travel to Mecca, believed to be the birthplace of Prophet Mohammed, to participate in a pilgrimage each year. Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $793 billion and a population of 34,268,529. It is also the world’s largest petroleum exporter. The country is ruled by a monarch with assistance from 12 appointed ministers. The current king of Saudi Arabia is Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
10. United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, also known as UAE, is a federation of seven emirates on the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula. The capital is Abu Dhabi. The UAE has a GDP of $417 billion and a population of 9,770,526. Its two largest cities, Abu Dhabi and Dubai draw millions of tourists every year. The country depends on tourism, oil, pearl, and fishing for its revenue. Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid Al Maktoum is the current ruler of the UAE.
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11. Israel
Israel is the only Jewish nation and a small country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its small size, the country has played a big role in global affairs. With a GDP of $398 billion and a population of 9,054,000, Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals among its major exports.
In addition, millions of Christians worldwide travel to Jerusalem for pilgrimage each year. Israel claims Jerusalem as its capital but most countries recognise Tel Aviv as the nation’s capital and established their embassies there. The country operates a parliamentary system of government where Isaac Herzog is the President while Yair Lapid is the Prime Minister.
12. Canada
Canada is the second largest country in the world after Russia. The capital is Ottawa. Canada’s GDP is $1.74 trillion but has a sparse population of 37,593,384 despite its size. The government follows the British style of parliamentary democracy where the UK monarch is the country’s Head of State.
The British representative is a Governor-General appointed by the country’s Prime Minister. Canada is a high-tech industrial society with a high standard of living where it ranks third in the world in proven oil reserves and fourth-largest oil producer. The current Prime Minister is Justin Trudeau.
13. India
India is the world’s second most-populous nation after China with a population of 1,366,417,756. The capital is New Delhi. With a GDP of $2.87 trillion, India is the birthplace of Hinduism and Buddhism. India has a fast-growing, diverse economy with a large, skilled workforce as an important center of information technology services, business outsourcing services, and software workers.
However, due to its large population, the country has been ranked one of the poorest in the world based on income and gross national product per capita. The country is a federal republic with 29 relatively autonomous states and seven union territories. Narendra Modi is the current Prime Minister.
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14. Turkey
Turkey is a country that bridges Asia with Europe. The capital is Ankara. Turkey’s GDP is $761 billion with a total population of 83,429,607 people. The people are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslims but you can see the influence of Roman Catholism in the city of Istanbul. Increased privatization in finance and other sectors helped create a dynamic and resilient economy for foreign investments. The current President is Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
15. Italy
Italy is a south-central European country with a population of 59,729,081 people. Rome is the capital which also doubles as the country’s largest city. Italy is basically known for its cuisine, art, and fashion with a GDP of $2.01 trillion. Tourism is another major economy for the country as over 40 million tourists visit the country each year. Most people in Italy are Christians and Roman Catholic. The President is Sergio Mattarella.
16. Australia
Australia is a country that includes islands that have been occupied by indigenous people for over 40,000 years before the British settled in them. The capital is Canberra. With a GDP of $1.39 trillion and a population of 25,365,745, Australia is considered a wealthy nation with a market-based economy driven by the service sector and the export of commodities. Australia copies the British parliamentary system where the queen remains the ceremonial Head of State. The current Prime Minister is Anthony Albanese.
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17. Switzerland
Switzerland, officially called the Swiss Confederation, is a small country in Central Europe but one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The capital is Bern. Switzerland has a GDP of $732 billion and a population of 8,575,280. It has a strong economy that is powered by low corporate tax rates, a highly-developed service sector led by financial services, and high-tech manufacturing industry. In fact, the country is known for its top-notch banking sector. Switzerland operates the Federal Republic where Ignazio Cassis is its current President.
18. Spain
Spain is located in southwestern Europe and shares borders with Portugal. The capital is Madrid. The country has suffered a lot of economic woes over the years. However, it was able to recover through art, sports, tourism, housing, and construction. The country has a GDP of $1.39 trillion and a population of 47,133,521. Spain is a parliamentary democracy with a Prime Minister and the monarch as the chief Head of State. Felipe VI is the current king while Pedro Sanchez is the Prime Minister.
19. Brazil
Brazil is located in South America and is one of the world’s top tourist destinations. The capital is Brasilia. Brazil has a GDP of $1.88 trillion and a population of 211,049,519 people. Brazil’s economy is active in the agricultural, manufacturing, mining, and service sectors. It is also a top producer of coffee. The current President is Jair Bolsonaro.
20. Singapore
Singapore is a bustling metropolis in Southeast Asia and home to one of the world’s busiest ports. The capital is also named Singapore. With a GDP of $374 billion and a population of 5,943,190 people, the country is one of Asia’s four economic tigers in manufacturing and production in the electronics and pharmaceutical industries. Halimah Yacob is the current President and the first and only female to hold that position in the country’s history.
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