GDP per capita

Last updated: 2025-04-29

The list of purchasing power-adjusted GDP:GDP Per capita:per capita for the OECD:OECD countries provides a rough comparison of living standards across countries. Measured this way, Sweden was the fourth-richest OECD country in the 1970s.

Purchasing power-adjusted GDP

Each year, the OECD:OECD compiles a table ranking its member countries according to their purchasing power-adjusted GDP:GDP Per capita:per capita. “Purchasing power-adjusted” means that a country’s GDP per capita has been adjusted for price levels in order to improve comparability. The list therefore shows the value of countries’ production adjusted for both price levels and population size.

From Strong Growth to a Lower OECD Ranking

From the late 1970s until the early 1990s, the growth rate of Swedish GDP:GDP was weaker than that of most industrialised countries. During the deep Recession:recession in 1991-1993, Swedish GDP contacted by about 4 percent, which resulted in a sharp fall to 11th place in the OECD:OECD comparison in 1993. Since then, the Swedish economy has performed better. However, in terms of its position relative to other countries, Sweden has not improved in the ranking.

When comparing the purchasing power-adjusted GDP:GDP Per capita:per capita, it is important to note that the differences between some countries are very small. In addition, GDP data is often revised, which can lead to rapid changes in the ranking.