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Over the past few decades, the world economy has been influenced by so many factors, i.e. oil, wars, drought and technology amongst others. Whereas, there are those countries which have made significant improvement in their economies, some of the ones known super powers are slowly moving down the list. Discussed herein are top ten countries considered to be financially powerful thus rich, that is in respect to CIA World Factbook as well as Wikipedia which is gauged by GDP per capita. In financial terms, GDP and acronym for Gross Domestic Product- refers to the value of goods generated by a particular country. GDP per capita signifies the value that an average individual generates.

1. Luxembourg – $80,800

Luxembourg is a minute country that has a population that does not exceed 500,000. Many regard it as the present day European miracle. It is the 8th smallest country in the world. But, the question that a majority of people are begging is where does a country that measures 50 x 30 miles get all its wealth from? Foremost, there are over 250 financial institutions located in that tiny country. It is the only country that has got the largest concentration of banks within the European Union and most likely the whole world. Other than being the richest country, its residents are sharp as well. All elementary schools offer French and German is offered from the middle school. Once in high school, the main language is English, despite that fact that they speak Letzebuergesh.

2. Qatar – $75,900

Located in UAE, a purely Arabic speaking country with a population not exceeding a million individuals is Qatar. It achieved its independence in 1971 from the British colonialists. Initially it was a poor country but all that changed significantly with the discovery of oil and natural gas which are the country’s major revenue earners. It is the only country that does not impose income tax in the world and is still capable of providing the most basic of services to its citizens for free.

3. Norway- $55,600

Despite not forming part of the European Union, Norway is one of the most developed nations in Europe. Its main revenue comes from oil and natural gas. However, it has one of the highest costs of living, i.e. 30% above United States in spite of its wealth.

4. Kuwait – $55,300

At number four is Kuwait, a small country in the Middle East that is constantly faced with conflicts. Kuwait directly translates to “Fortress built near water” in Arabic terms. It is located on the coast of the Persian Gulf and neighbors Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Despite its size, Kuwait boasts of being number five in terms of oil reserves. It is also a few of the countries that do not tax its citizens as most of its revenue is generated from oil exports. In addition to having free economy, the country has a fast paced economic growth unlike other countries.

5. United Arab Emirates – $55,200

United Arab Emirates is rich in oil and natural gas than any other country. This has enabled it to have one of the highest developed economies of the world. The country has so much money that they even lack ideas as to what to do with it. There are several artificially built Islands and some of the most magnificent buildings the world has to offer.

In business terms, emerging markets are countries or nations with communal or business interests in the course of swift growth as well as industrialization. Presently, it is thought that there are approximately 28 emerging economies in the world. Economies in Brazil, China and India are regarded as the largest in the world today. According to leading economists in the world, the term has kind of outlived its usefulness. However, a new term is yet to be coined.

To give you a better impression of these economies, the article discusses into detail the top ten emerging economies in the world today.

1. China

Since the liberalization of China in 1978, the economy has managed to grow in leaps and bound and is currently the fastest and largest economy in the world. Currently, China has the second highest nominal GDP in the world which stands at 34.o6 trillion Yuan or $4.99 trillion. However, the per capita income in China stands at a mere $3,700 and places China approximately at number 100 in the world. The primary industry injects 10.6% into China’s economy, secondary industry contributes 46.8% and tertiary industry injects 42.6% in the economy. China would be second largest economy in the world today after the United States if PPP was accounted for as part of the economic growth.

A report by the Global Wealth Report estimates that by the year 2015, China will have overtaken Japan as the second largest economy in the world.

2. India

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that India’s ostensible GDP stood at approximately US$1.3 trillion. This has enabled India to be classified as the 11th biggest economy in the world today. This actually matches India per capita income which stands at US$1,000. When PPP – Power Purchasing Parity is considered, then India’s economy will be rated as the 4th largest in the globe. India boasts of having the second highest labor force in the world that stands at 467 million individuals. The agricultural sector managed to account for 28% of India’s GDP. On the other hand, the service and industrial segments of the economy injected approximately 54% and 18% correspondingly. The major cash crop products include rice, cotton, tea, potatoes, oilseed, sugar cane and wheat. The main industries in India include petroleum, software, and textile, cement, steel and mining.

3. Russia

Russia’s economy stands at number 12 in the world if graded by the nominal GDP and the 7th biggest economy globally if ranked using Power Purchasing Parity – PPP. Russia is regarded as a market economy as it is endowed with vast natural mineral resources such as oil and natural gas. Russia’s economic growth has been mainly boosted by political stability and increased local consumption. By the end of 2008 Russia’s economic growth stood at 7% per annul. The growth is attributed by non-trade services as well as increased domestic consumption. Oil and natural gas were mainly exported. The average salary in Russia presently is close to $1000 per month. This is a significant increase given that the average salary once was below $500.

4. Brazil

Brazil’s economy is currently the 8th largest in the world if gauged with GDP and the 9th biggest when measured with Purchasing Power Parity. The economy is mainly being driven by the relatively free market as well as inward-oriented economy. In Latin America, Brazil has the largest economy. With an annual GDP growth rate of approximately 5%, Brazil is one of the fastest growing nations in the globe.

5. Turkey

Turkey’s economy stands at 17th position globally when measured by nominal GDP 15th largest economy when gauged using power purchasing parity. Turkey is a member of the G-20 major economies. The reforms that were initiated by the then Prime Minister in 1983 are what have greatly contributed to Turkey’s economy. The economic growth in Turkey has been mainly boosted by its close ties with other emerging nations thus providing it with a thriving market to sell its products.

1. New York Stock Exchange

Country: United States

Domestic Marker Cap: $ 11,837 Billion

The New York Stock Exchange, the world’s largest stock exchange, is located on Wall Street, in New York, USA. The average daily trading on this stock exchange is about $ 170 Billion. It merged with the completely electronic stock exchange Euronext in 2007. Started in 1792, it was first called the New York Stock & Exchange Board. It trades in the continuous auction format, where traders act as agents and execute stock transactions on behalf of investors. The total capitalisation of listed companies on the NYSE is $ 12.25 trillion.

2. Tokyo Stock Exchange

Country: Japan

Domestic Market Cap: $ 3,306 Billion

Located in Tokyo, Japan, the Tokyo Stock Exchange has 2414 listed companies. It has a combined market capitalization of US$3.1 trillion and was founded in 1878. The London Stock Exchange (LSE) and the TSE are now developing jointly traded products and sharing technology which makes it beneficial for both economies.

3. NASDAQ

Country: United States

Domestic Market Cap: $ 3,239 Billion

“NASDAQ” originally stood for “National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations. It is the largest electronic screen-based equity securities trading market in the United States. It has more than 3800 companies listed and has the maximum trading volume as compared to any stock exchange in the world.

4. Euronext

Country: Belgium, France, Holland, Portugal

Domestic Market Cap: $ 2,869 Billion

Euronext is a European Stock Exchange, based in Paris. It had a market capitalisation of US$2.26 trillion. Its merger with NYSE made it the first electronic stock exchange. Formed in the year 2000, it has 1400 companies listed. Currently, the trading volume is USD 25 Trillion.

5. London Stock Exchange

Country: United Kingdom

Domestic Market Cap: $ 2,796 Billion

Founded in 1801, The London Stock Exchange, is among the largest stock exchanges in the world. It has 3000 companies listed and is part of the London Stock Exchanges Group. It is also referred to as the William Morris. It has the maximum number of foreign companies listed and is completely electronic.

These brands are powerful because they are both financially strong as well as popular among consumers.

1. Google

This brand is valued at about 66 billion dollars and is undoubtedly the most powerful brand in the world. This search engine was started by Sergey Brin and Larry Page in 1996. Google is known for its unique innovations and mind-boggling growth rate. Google has become so big that the term is now in the dictionary.

2. General Electric

General Electric has been valued at about 61 billion dollars which makes it the second most powerful in the world. GE looks into a number of spheres including industrial technology, information technology, financial services, oil, films and much more. GE is very popular in India as well.

3. Microsoft

Microsoft Corporation earns about 44 billion dollars on a yearly basis and its brand value is about 54 billion dollars. Bill Gates owns the brand and founded it in 1975. Microsoft provides employments to over 75,000 people across the globe and Gates is both feared and admired by competitors.

4. Coca-Cola

This brand has been valued at approximately 44.134 billion dollars which makes it the fourth most powerful in the world. The company was incorporated in 1892 by Asa Griggs Candler. It was later bought by Woodruff and Bradley. While it may not be the most powerful in the world, it is definitely the most well-known.

5. China Mobile

The brand has been valued at about 41 billion dollars and is the country’s largest mobile operator. It has over 290 million subscribers and its turnover is almost as much as Vodafone year after year. China Mobile is extremely popular in Hong Kong and is the largest there.