U.S. Media: By tracking changes in the share of global GDP held by major economies from 1820 to 2025 using purchasing power parity (PPP) data, it reveals a 200-year cycle of economic hegemony shifting from Asia to Europe, then to the United States, and now returning to Asia.
In 1820, China led with a 28.6% share; however, it subsequently declined due to lagging industrialization. The British Empire reached its peak of 23.8% in 1845, benefiting from early-mover advantages. The United States achieved its modern historical high of 29.7% in 1944 during World War II.
By 2025, China is projected to return to first place with a 21.8% share, while India is expected to reach a record-high 9.0%, bringing the combined share of China and India to 30.8% of global GDP; the U.S. share is forecasted to drop to 14.7%, the EU to 12.3% (peaking at 17.9% in 2007), Japan shrinking from 8.6% in 1990 to 3.4%, Russia/Soviet Union falling from 10.2% in 1956 to 2.9%, and the UK declining from nearly one-quarter during its imperial era to just 1.9%.
Whether Asia's resurgence can be sustained depends on how China addresses challenges related to population aging and productivity growth.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1872671354150912/
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