Earning the most money does not mean you have the most money. Which country is the richest in 2025?

Earning the most money does not mean you have the most money. Which country is the richest in 2025?

Why earning US$100 does not necessarily mean it’s better than RM100

The above is an assumption that both person stay in the expensive city; New York and Kuala Lumpur. Frankly, there are still lots of choices below RM10 per meal. However, trying to find something below US$10 will not be easy yeah. There’s tax and there’s tips too. However, we are not speaking about Malaysia today. Let’s just look at the countries where the people earns the most and also how far their money can stretch.

GDP per person (meaning highest average)

Switzerland is top, followed by Singapore and 3rd is Norway. If we adjust this for price differences, then Switzerland will drop to 5th. Singapore will be top. (Yes, I have written this a few times, SGD is the most powerful currency in the world. Whether you are comparing it to Pound, USD, Euro or AUD.). Norway will drop to 4th.

If we look at adjustment for prices and hours worked, something interesting happens too. Switzerland stays the same, at 5th. Singapore drops to 8th! This meant that they really do earn a lot more than others but their working hours could also be longer too… Norway is now 1st in the world.

In other words, it’s true that on average their earnings are lower and after adjusting for prices, they drop to 4th but when it comes to maybe quality of life and also the ability to afford things, they are back at the top. Their salary could be rising as fast if not faster than inflation of goods and services.

Where’s Malaysia?

If we take the average of GDP per capita, depending on when you get your data, it could put us at below US$10,000 or above US$10,000 now. Yes, ringgit has appreciated or USD has depreciated. However, when we look into the purchasing power parity, no matter which date source you look at, it shows that our purchasing power (if we are talking about buying things inside Malaysia) is very good.

Here’s what IMF data shows:

Well, if you are not happy with these numbers yet, do not be too worried too. Still lots of opportunities to make it better. Singapore is right down there, beside Johor. Can find work there. Switzerland could be harder but we can always study there and try to work there after graduation too. University tuition fees are lower than the UK and the US as it’s subsidized by the government and yes, the government is rich. If you are studying in Norway university, you even get a one year allowance to find employment there. So, yes they are happy to have you working there. In other words, earn good money and enjoy good quality of life for your earnings.

Me? Aiya, I am 49 this year. Malaysia is where I will continue to work, stay and play. Yes, I am still in Nagoya now with my family. Somehow earning Ringgit is pretty good versus the Japanese yen.

Get updated all the way for the latest news. Sign up for daily investment news updates (FREE since Nov 2013 and FOREVER). 

Alternatively, Follow me on Telegram here.

Please LIKE kopiandproperty.com FB page to get daily updates about the property market beyond kopiandproperty.com articles.

Else, follow me on Twitter here.