List of continents by GDP

Asia is the largest continental economy by both GDP Nominal and PPP in the world. With $40.02 trillion in nominal terms, Asia accounts for 36.5% of the world GDP. In ppp terms, its shares go close to 49% with Int. $90.98 trillion. North America has the 2nd highest continental economy in nominal terms, while Europe is the 2nd highest continental economy in ppp methods. Only these three continents have crossed the ten trillion milestones. Asia, North America, and Europe together share about 91.5% of the global economy on a nominal basis and 89% on a ppp basis. In nominal data, South America is at 4th position while in ppp data, Africa is at 4th position. Oceania is the smallest continental economy in the world.

Northern America ($31 tn) has the highest economy among subregions, followed by Eastern Asia ($25.69 tn) and Western Europe ($11.1 tn). These three subregions together share about 61.9% of the global economy. In ppp terms, Eastern Asia replace Northern America at top position and Southern Asia replaces Western Europe at 3rd position. Eastern Asia includes China and Japan, the 2nd most and 3rd largest economies in the world. Northern America includes the United States, the largest economy in the world. Micronesia is the smallest subregion, followed by Polynesia, having just above $1 bn GDP.

With $1,810 billion, Asia will be the top contributor of the total global gdp increment in 2021, followed by North America ($1,795 bn) and Europe ($960 bn). In ppp terms, Asia accounts for 58.2% of the total global increase.

As per the UN, Asia's share had increased from 15.07% in 1970 to 37.69% in 2022. The contribution of Africa and Oceania has also increased in the global economy. The share of Europe has declined from 40.46% in 1970 to 28.73% in 2022. Among subregions, Eastern Asia is the highest share gainer, 9.61% in 1970 to 24.84% in 20122. Conversely, Eastern Europe lost most: 14.78% in 1970 to 4.12% in 2022.

Grouping of continents and subregions are as per United Nations Statistics Division.