TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is projected to rank 23rd globally in per capita GDP growth over the next five years, surpassing Germany and placing it among the world’s top 25 economies in terms of income gains.

Forecasts from Visual Capitalist show that Eastern Europe will be the fastest-growing region from 2026 to 2030. In contrast, developed economies are expected to grow more slowly but still lead in absolute per capita GDP gains.

Among the top 25 countries by percentage growth, Moldova ranks first at 53%, followed by Guyana, Turkmenistan, Serbia, and Armenia. In terms of absolute per capita GDP, the top five are Liechtenstein NT$1.25 million (US$39,400), Iceland, Ireland, Qatar, and Switzerland.

At 23rd, Taiwan has a projected absolute per capita GDP growth of NT$277,000 (US$8,700) over five years, surpassing Germany, the largest economy in Europe, at NT$258,000 (US$8,100). In Asia, Taiwan is sixth, behind Qatar, Singapore, Macau, the UAE, and Hong Kong.

Per capita GDP, which is obtained by dividing a country’s total GDP by its population, is an economic measure used to track trends in income levels and economic growth across nations, per the World Bank. 

However, GDP per capita does not measure a country’s overall standard of living or well-being. It also does not account for factors important to general welfare, such as income distribution, environmental costs, or non-economic aspects of life, per the IMF.