From the point of view of most people total country GDP is meaningless (only certain businesses get a “cut” of the total country GDP and hence it matters to them), and per-capita GDP is what matters and even then how much it matters depends on the level of inequality in a country since when a few get most of the wealth that per-capita value (which is the median) is quite different from what actually most people get (the mode).
Technically GDP is just a measure of cash flow. So how much the government, private business and individuals spend all dumped together with all spending on imports subtracted. High GDP means lots of money changing hands but doesn’t necessarily care who’s hands, just that money is flowing.
Or it’s not actually the richest.
So you’re right. We are number 11 now
Edit: we are still number 1 by GDP.
From the point of view of most people total country GDP is meaningless (only certain businesses get a “cut” of the total country GDP and hence it matters to them), and per-capita GDP is what matters and even then how much it matters depends on the level of inequality in a country since when a few get most of the wealth that per-capita value (which is the median) is quite different from what actually most people get (the mode).
2 economist walking in the woods.
Economist 1 says to economists 2: I’ll give you $100 if you let me kick you in the balls.
Economist 2 says “sure”
Then economist 1 kicks economists 2 in the balls and gives him $100.
They continue walking and see a big pile of shit.
Economist 2 says to economist 1: I’ll give you $100 if you eat that pile of shit.
Economist 1 says “sure”, eats the pile of shit and economists 2 gives economists 1 his $100 back.
They continue walking, eventually economist 2 asks “What was the point of what we just did?”
Economist 1 responds “We just increased GDP by $200.”
*Country with the richest persons living in it
Technically GDP is just a measure of cash flow. So how much the government, private business and individuals spend all dumped together with all spending on imports subtracted. High GDP means lots of money changing hands but doesn’t necessarily care who’s hands, just that money is flowing.
Last I heard, China is.