Mapping the world economy

A new map by the folks at HowMuch.net provides a fascinating perspective on the worldwide economy. The map represents each country relative to the size of its nominal gross domestic product, the type of GDP that is not adjusted for inflation. The larger the area, the larger the size of the economy.

Each area is divided into three sectors—services, industrial, and agricultural—to visualize which industries contribute most to the country's GDP.

The result is as follows: With a GDP upward of $17 trillion, the US comprises nearly a quarter of the world's economy. Using data from the CIA's World Factbook, HowMuch.net determined that most of that comes from the service sector (79.7 percent compared with a global average of 63.6 percent). Agriculture and industry make up below-average portions of the economy (1.12 percent and 19.1 percent compared with averages of 5.9 percent and 30.5 percent).

China, on the other hand, has struck more of a balance between its service and industrial sectors, with a lagging agriculture sector. HowMuch.net notes this is unusual considering other robust economies have service sectors that far outweigh industry and agriculture. HowMuch.net predicts that as China continues to grow, the service industry will expand while industry and agriculture shrink.

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