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15 richest nations in the world
There are some countries in the world that are really rich.
Forbes recently published a list of the richest countries in the world. While compiling the list, Forbes looked at GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power for 182 nations.
The PPP-adjusted GDP - preferred by economists when making international comparisons - takes into account the relative cost of living and inflation rates, rather than just exchange rates, which may distort real differences in worth.
Qatar
GDP (PPP) per capita: $88,222
Global ranking: 1
Qatar has the world's highest per capita GDP and proven reserves of both oil and natural gas. Qatar tops the list of world's richest countries.
In 2010, its economy grew by 19.40 per cent, the fastest in the world.
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15 richest nations in the world
The main drivers for this rapid growth are attributed to ongoing increases in production and exports of liquefied natural gas, oil, petrochemicals and related industries.
Qatar has the second-highest human development in the Arab world after the United Arab Emirates.
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15 richest nations in the world
Luxembourg
GDP (PPP) per capita: $81,466
Global ranking: 2
The country has a highly developed economy, with the world's highest GDP (nominal) per capita according to the IMF.
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15 richest nations in the world
The city of Luxembourg, the largest and capital city, is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the EU.
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15 richest nations in the world
Singapore
GDP (PPP) per capita: $56,694
Global ranking: 3
The economy depends heavily on the industry and service sectors. Singapore is a world leader in several areas: It is the world's fourth-leading financial centre, the world's second-biggest casino gambling market, and the world's third-largest oil refining centre.
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15 richest nations in the world
The port of Singapore is one of the five busiest ports in the world, most notable for being the busiest transshipment port in the world.
The country is home to more US dollar millionaire households per capita than any other country. The World Bank notes Singapore as the easiest place in the world to do business.
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15 richest nations in the world
Norway
GDP (PPP) per capita: $51,959
Global ranking: 4
Norway has extensive reserves of petroleum, natural gas, minerals, lumber, seafood, fresh water and hydropower.
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15 richest nations in the world
On a per-capita basis, it is the world's largest producer of oil and natural gas outside the Middle East, and the petroleum industry accounts for around a quarter of the country's gross domestic product.
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15 richest nations in the world
Brunei
GDP (PPP) per capita: $48,333
Global ranking: 5
Brunei has the second highest Human Development Index among the South East Asia nations after Singapore, and is classified as a developed country.
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15 richest nations in the world
According to the International Monetary Fund, Brunei is ranked fifth in the world by gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity.
Forbes also ranks Brunei as the fifth richest nation out of 182 nations due to its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields.
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15 richest nations in the world
United Arab Emirates
GDP (PPP) per capita: $47,439
Global ranking: 6
The UAE oil reserves are ranked as the world's sixth-largest and it possesses one of the most developed economies in the Middle East.
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15 richest nations in the world
It is the 35-largest economy at market exchange rates, and ranks among the world's wealthiest nations.
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15 richest nations in the world
The United States
GDP (PPP) per capita: $46,860
Global ranking: 7
The US economy is the world's largest national economy, with an estimated 2011 GDP of $15.1 trillion.
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15 richest nations in the world
The country accounts for 41 per cent of global military spending, and is a leading economic, political and cultural force in the world.
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15 richest nations in the world
Hong Kong
GDP (PPP) per capita: $45,944
Global ranking: 8
As one of the world's leading international financial centres, Hong Kong has a major capitalist service economy characterised by low taxation and free trade, and the currency, Hong Kong dollar, is the eighth most traded currency in the world.
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15 richest nations in the world
Hong Kong has one of the highest per capita income in the world. The dense space also led to a highly developed transportation network with public transport travelling rate exceeding 90 per cent, the highest in the world.
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15 richest nations in the world
Switzerland
GDP (PPP) per capita: $41,950
Global ranking: 9
In 2010, Switzerland had the highest wealth per adult of any country in the world (with $372,692 for each person). Switzerland also has one of the world's largest account balances as a percentage of GDP.
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15 richest nations in the world
Zurich and Geneva have respectively been ranked as the cities with the second- and third-highest quality of life in the world.
In 2010, the World Economic Forum ranked Switzerland as the most competitive country in the world, while ranked by the European Union as Europe's most innovative country by far.
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15 richest nations in the world
The Netherlands
GDP (PPP) per capita: $40,973
Global ranking: 10
The Netherlands has a capitalist market-based economy, ranking 13th of 157 countries according to the Index of Economic Freedom.
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15 richest nations in the world
In May 2011, the Netherlands was ranked as the "happiest" country according to results published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
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15 richest nations in the world
Australia
GDP (PPP) per capita: $39,764
Global ranking: 11
A highly developed country, Australia is the world's 13th-largest economy and has the world's fifth-highest per capita income.
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15 richest nations in the world
With the second-highest human development index globally, Australia ranks highly in many international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, health, education, economic freedom and the protection of civil liberties and political rights.
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15 richest nations in the world
Austria
GDP (PPP) per capita: $39,761
Global ranking: 12
Austria is one of the richest countries in the world. The country has developed a high standard of living and in 2011 was ranked 19th in the world for its Human Development Index.
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15 richest nations in the world
Austria has been a member of the United Nations since 1955, joined the European Union in 1995, and is a founder of the OECD.
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15 richest nations in the world
Ireland
GDP (PPP) per capita: $39,492
Global ranking: 13
Ireland was ranked the best place to live in the world according to a "quality of life" assessment by The Economist magazine.
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15 richest nations in the world
Republic of Ireland joined the euro in 1999, while Northern Ireland remained with the pound sterling.
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15 richest nations in the world
Canada
GDP (PPP) per capita: $39,171
Global ranking: 14
One of the world's most highly-developed countries, Canada has a diversified economy that is reliant upon its abundant natural resources and upon trade - particularly with the United States.
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15 richest nations in the world
It is a member of the G7, G8, G20, Nato, OECD, WTO, Commonwealth of Nations, Francophonie, OAS, Apec, and UN.
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15 richest nations in the world
Kuwait
GDP (PPP) per capita: $38,775
Global ranking: 15
The country has the world's fifth-largest oil reserves and petroleum products now account for nearly 95 per cent of export revenue and 80 per cent of government income.
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15 richest nations in the world
Kuwait is classified as a high income economy by the World Bank and is designated as a major non-Nato ally of the United States.