World map showing GDP real growth rates for 2007.
The list of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (real) growth rate shows the increase in value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year -- not taking into account Purchasing power parity and taking into account inflation. It is a measure of economic development.
All figures are from the CIA World Factbook unless otherwise specified.
Top ten economies (PPP) are listed in bold. Data are not available for Nauru and Vatican City.
[edit] 5 Fastest Growing On each Continent
[edit] North America
North America, even though one of the slowest growing continents, has stable growth. Most of the faster growing economies are in the Caribbean.
[edit] South America
South America has a Boom and Bust growth with high followed by recession growth, most notable in Brazil, however growth has been stabilizing and the whole continent is growing.
| Country |
% Growth |
Date of information |
World Rank |
Continent Rank |
 Argentina |
8.70% |
2007 est. |
20 |
1 |
 Venezuela |
8.30% |
2007 est. |
25 |
2 |
 Peru |
7.50% |
2007 est. |
33 |
3 |
 Uruguay |
7.20% |
2007 est. |
40 |
4 |
 Colombia |
6.50% |
2007 est. |
53 |
5 |
[edit] Africa
Africa has seen the fastest growing but also the slowest growing/declining. From the oil fields which made Angola the 3rd fastest country in the world, to Zimbabwe the slowest growing and declining country in the world. Oil in Africa has create 'wealth spots' were a few countries have exceeded their neighbors in wealth. Out of the 10 fastest growing countries in the world: 3 were African. Some countries have in the past been the fastest growing in the world. Equatorial Guinea reached 75% growth in 2004 because of oil reserves.
| Country |
% Growth |
Date of information |
World Rank |
Continent Rank |
 Angola |
16.30% |
2007 est. |
4 |
1 |
 Sudan |
12.80% |
2007 est. |
6 |
2 |
 Equatorial Guinea |
12.70% |
2007 est. |
7 |
3 |
 Ethiopia |
11.4% |
2007 est. |
10 |
4 |
 Liberia |
8.50% |
2007 est. |
21 |
5 |
[edit] Europe
Europe has had one of the most stable growth rates in the world. The east especially has seen an increase in GDP after the fall of Communism. If the Caucasus were included, Europe would be one of the fastest growing continents in the world [16]. Most countries are growing at a medium speed however many smaller countries exceed 7% and grow exceptionally faster than their neighbors. Out of the 10 fastest growing countries in the world, one is in Europe[17].
| Country |
% Growth |
Date of information |
World Rank |
Continent Rank |
 Liechtenstein |
11.00% |
2007 est. |
10 |
1 |
 Cyprus (if considered part of Europe: part of EU) |
10.60% |
2007 est. |
11 |
2 |
 Slovakia |
10.40% |
2007 est. |
15 |
3 |
 Russia |
8.10% |
2007 est. |
26 |
4 |
 Lithuania |
8.00% |
2007 est. |
28 |
5 |
[edit] Asia and Oceania
Overall in the 20th century, Asia was seen as the area with most growth. The trend is expected to continue into the 21st century, with the majority of economic growth in the region being powered by the rapidly expanding economies of China and India, coupled with significant growth occurring in certain parts of South, South-East and especially East Asia. The only exceptional growth in Oceania has been on Vanuatu. Out of the 10 fastest growing countries in the world, half of that number are located in Asia[18].
[edit] Declining
Some countries have negative growth, most often due to ongoing wars, political problems or hyperinflation. These countries include Palestinean territories, Zimbabwe, Fiji, Chad and Puerto Rico.
| Country |
% Decline |
Date of information |
World Rank |
Reason(s) |
 Palestinian territories |
-8.0% |
2007 est. |
215 |
Various Problems. |
 Zimbabwe |
-6.0% |
2007 est. |
214 |
Irresponsible leadership, land reforms and extreme hyperinflation (+100,000.00%) |
 Fiji |
-3.1% |
2007 est. |
213 |
Coups, unstable government |
 Chad |
-1.3% |
2007 est. |
212 |
Ongoing conflicts in east of Chad/Darfur |
 Puerto Rico (Territory under U.S.A) |
-1.2% |
2007 est | | 
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