The world is full of wealthy nations, and there are many different ways to define the richest. One common measure is GDP per capita. This represents a country’s total economic output divided by its population. In short, it’s a rough way to measure the average income and prosperity of people living in a country.
By that definition, smaller countries with high economic productivity often top the list. And in 2025, the number one spot goes to Singapore. According to the World Atlas, Singapore is the richest country in the world by GDP per capita in 2025, with a figure of $156,755 (£116,000) based on purchasing power parity (PPP). The country has come a long way since gaining independence in 1965. It once had some of the worst slums in the world and no natural resources, but all of that has now changed drastically for the better.
Smart Wealth explains that Singapore’s success comes down to several key factors.
These include strong and pragmatic leadership, a corruption-free government, a strategic port location, and open policies that attract foreign investment.
It also has a highly educated population, excellent infrastructure, and forward-thinking economic planning.
Much of Singapore’s growth was originally driven by manufacturing and trade, but services and finance are now also big contributors to its economy.
In 2023 alone, the country recorded total merchandise trade worth S$1.2 trillion, according to Smart Wealth.
Today, Singapore is home to around six million people and continues to focus on sustainable development.
Initiatives like the “Singapore Green Plan 2030” aim to reduce emissions and build a greener future.
But there’s something else about Singapore that might surprise people – it’s made up of 64 islands.
According to Secret Singapore, the country includes one main island and 63 smaller offshore islands.
Some, like Sentosa and St. John’s Island are popular with tourists, while others are used for military purposes or have been left untouched.
Many of these islands were created or expanded through land reclamation, a process that involves filling in parts of the sea to create more land.
Over the years, this land reclamation has allowed Singapore to build major infrastructure such as Changi Airport, new housing zones, and nature trails.
As a result, the tiny city-state now has far more usable space than it did at independence.