By 2030, most European economies will be growing, but the balance of power will remain largely unchanged. The leaders will remain the same, while the gap between wealthy countries and EU candidate nations will only widen. Learn more about which European countries will become the wealthiest and what this means for living and working abroad

Per capita GDP adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP) remains the key indicator for assessing the well-being of countries in Europe. It is this indicator that allows us to compare not only the size of economies but also the actual standard of living in different countries.

According to forecasts by the International Monetary Fund, this indicator will rise across the region by 2030. However, an analysis by Euronews shows that the income gap between countries will remain significant, especially between the leaders and EU candidate countries.

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How will Europe’s economic map change by 2030?

By 2030, Europe’s economic landscape will remain relatively stable, despite growth in key indicators in most countries. The main reason is the synchronized development of economies: when all countries increase their GDP per capita, this does not lead to a significant reshuffling of positions in the rankings.

Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) plays a key role in this analysis. Unlike nominal GDP, it accounts for price differences between countries, thus more accurately reflecting the real standard of living. This is why countries with strong but expensive economies may appear less “wealthy” compared to nations where costs are lower.

Another key finding is that the gap between countries is not narrowing. High-income leaders continue to hold a significant advantage, while countries with lower indicators—particularly EU accession candidates—remain far behind, even in the long term.

Ranking of European countries by GDP per capita (PPP) in 2025 and forecast for 2030. Source: IMF World Economic Outlook / Euronews

Which countries will top the ranking of the richest in 2030?

The leaders of the European ranking by GDP per capita will remain largely unchanged by 2030, though there will be one significant change at the top. According to International Monetary Fund forecasts, Ireland will take first place, overtaking the current leader—Luxembourg.

Per capita GDP in Ireland is expected to reach approximately $182,000, while in Luxembourg it will be around $167,000. Both countries are significantly ahead of the rest of Europe, forming a separate group of economic leaders with the highest income levels.

The top five also consistently includes Norway, Switzerland, and Denmark. Their figures exceed $100,000 per person, and, unlike Ireland, these economies demonstrate a more balanced structure without significant influence from multinational corporations.

At the same time, it is important to consider a unique feature of Ireland: its high GDP figure is largely attributable to the presence of large multinational companies. As economists note, in this case, gross national income (GNI) may more accurately reflect the actual level of the population’s well-being than GDP.

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Europe’s largest economies are far from leading in terms of income

Despite their economic scale, Europe’s largest countries are not among the leaders in terms of per capita income. According to International Monetary Fund projections, Germany will rank only 12th in 2030, France — 15th, and the United Kingdom — 16th.

Even lower on the list will be Italy (18th place) and Spain (22nd place), which will be the weakest among the region’s five largest economies in this regard. This situation clearly demonstrates that the size of an economy does not necessarily mean high per capita income.

The difference is particularly noticeable in purchasing power indicators. For example, in Germany, GDP per capita will be about $86,000, while in Spain it will be approximately $66,000. This creates a gap of about 31%, even among Europe’s leading economies.

The reason for this lag lies in the structure of the economy, population size, and spending levels. Large countries have a strong total GDP, but due to their larger populations, this figure is “diluted” when calculated per person.

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The bottom of the ranking – EU candidate countries

The lowest positions in the GDP per capita ranking by 2030 are predominantly held by EU candidate countries. Among them are Ukraine, Kosovo, and Moldova, which remain at the bottom of the list even in the long term.

In most of these countries, GDP per capita will not exceed $50,000, and in some cases will remain below $30,000. By comparison, this is roughly half the level of even the weakest economies among EU countries.

The gap with developed countries remains significant and systemic. It is explained not only by differences in growth rates but also by structural factors: less developed economies, lower levels of investment, and limited access to the EU market.

At the same time, there are exceptions. Turkey, despite its candidate status, is performing better—by 2030, it could rise to approximately 29th place, surpassing even some EU countries, including Bulgaria, Latvia, and Greece.

Comparison of GDP per capita (PPP) in European countries in 2025 and forecast for 2030. Source: IMF World Economic Outlook / Euronews

Why does the ranking of the richest countries remain almost unchanged?

The main reason for the stability of the ranking is the synchronized growth of economies. Most European countries are simultaneously increasing their GDP per capita, so even a significant improvement in indicators does not guarantee a rise in the ranking.

Another factor is the structure of the economy. Leading countries, such as Ireland or Luxembourg, have strong financial and corporate sectors that ensure consistently high incomes.

Other countries, even those with a large overall GDP, cannot quickly close the gap due to a different economic model.

In addition, price levels and costs also influence rankings. This is why the PPP indicator remains key: it demonstrates the real well-being of the population, rather than just “dry” economic figures.

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We remind you! New economic indicators show which countries have been able to increase their GDP and which have lost ground due to inflation and slowing growth. Ranking of the richest countries in the world in 2026 — follow the link.

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