China vs. United States: A tale of two economies

The United States has had the world's largest economy for about 140 years. However, recently China has overtaken the US in terms of GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP) according to IMF.

Today's infographic contrasts everything about the two economies. While they are both comparable in size, they are both very different...

The United States has had the world's largest economy for about 140 years, and it roughly accounts for 22% of global GDP. However, in recent times China has overtaken the US by at least one measure of total economic strength, which is GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP).

Either way you slice it, the economies are the two strongest globally in absolute terms.

That's where the similarities end. While comparable in total size, the makeup of each economy is totally different. United States is a sophisticated and highly diversified economy that is based on services, finance, and consumption from the middle class. China has similar aspirations in the future, but right now it isresource-intensive growth engine making the transition from a manufacturing hub to a consumer-driven economy.

Today's infographic looks at the economic differences between each country: total reserves, foreign direct investment, demographics, imports, exports, GDP per capita, energy, education, and much more.

Original graphic by: SCMP