How GDP of US States Compares to Countries Around the World

Hungary is home to 9.8 million people, more than triple the population of Kansas. Despite a larger population, Hungary and Kansas have similarly sized economies, at $153.1 billion and $148.5 billion, respectively.

Fighting for the Axis powers in WWII and occupied by Soviets until 1991, Hungary is now a democracy and member state of NATO and the EU — the latter of which has been a boon for the country’s economic development.

Kentucky generated $184.7 billion in economic output in 2017, closely in line with New Zealand’s $181.5 billion GDP. Kentucky’s population of 4.5 million is also closely aligned with New Zealand’s 4.8 million residents. New Zealand’s economy is driven largely by agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.

Of all the national economies in the world, Romania’s is the closest in size to that of Louisiana — despite having a population over four times the size of Louisiana. The southeastern European country’s GDP is $216.3 billion, and Louisiana’s is $226.6 billion.

Louisiana’s economy relies heavily on its energy sector. The 17 oil refineries in the state can process up to 3.3 million barrels of crude oil a day and account for about 20% of Americacn refining capacity.

Maine’s economy generated $55.6 billion in 2017, roughly the same as Azerbaijan, a country with a population more than seven times that of the northern New England state. Azerbaijan’s economy benefits from its oil reserves, but economic growth has been stifled in recent years by corruption. Poverty also remains a considerable challenge in the country.

Home to 31.6 million people, the Southeast Asian nation of Malaysia is over five times more populous than Maryland, a state with 6.1 million people. By GDP, however, the two are more closely matched. Maryland’s $363.0 billion economy is only slightly smaller than Malaysia’s $364.6 billion economy. Malaysia has a large tourism industry and is benefitting from a growing manufacturing sector.