1. Liechtenstein
The nation with the highest per capita income in the world is Liechtenstein, a small country bordering Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein’s per capita income is about $80,000 per annum. The principality has an industrialised economy, with banking and financial services being the mainstay. Tourism too is a major revenue earner for the nation. The personal income tax rates in Liechtenstein too are exceedingly low: basic income tax rate is 1.2 per cent on income up to 200,000 Swiss Francs, and maximum is 5 per cent on income over 2 million Swiss Francs a year.
2. Bermuda
Bermuda is tourist’s delight, located in the North Atlantic Ocean. Bermuda’s per capita income is almost 50 per cent more than that of the United States. The tiny island nation’s per capita income stands at just above $78,000. It has the second highest PCI in the world. Bermuda is a major financial centre and is particularly attractive because of its low taxation rates. Financial services is the nation’s largest industry, followed by tourism.
3. Norway
Norway’s per capita income stands at $76,450, which is the third highest in the world. Norway has a mixed economy consisting of state-owned businesses and a robust free market. It’s a high developed and industrialized state. Fishing, petroleum, hydel power, minerals contribute heavily to the nation’s GDP.
4. Luxembourg
Luxembourg’s per capita income is at $75,880. That makes it the world’s fourth highest PCI. Luxembourg is located in Europe and is bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. The nation has highly developed industrial and financial sectors.
5. Qatar
The per capita income of Qataris is $60,000, the fifth highest in the world. Qatar is an Arab emirate located in the Persian Gulf. The nation’s economy mainly depends on its huge oil and natural gas reserves. There is no income tax in Qatar.
6. Switzerland
The Swiss enjoy a financially comfortable life, with a per capita income of $59,880. Switzerland ranks sixth in the World Bank’s per capita income rankings. Switzerland, a truly capitalist economy, has many giant banks and multinational corporations. It also has highly developed industries in sectors like pharmaceuticals, chemicals, machine parts, electronics, precision instruments, banking, tourism, etc. Dairy farming too is an age old industry in Switzerland. It has very low tax rates.
7. Denmark
Denmark’s per capita income is at $54,910. According to World Bank rankings, it is the world’s seventh highest PCI. Denmark has a highly industrialised economy, with robust agricultural and corporate sectors. Despite being one of the most competitive nations, the nation has a very weak financial regulatory system. Also, its labour laws are very lax and tilted heavily in favour of the employers.
8. Iceland
At $54,100, the per capita income of Iceland is the world’s eighth highest. Iceland has a very healthy power sector which helps it be a highly industrialised country. Apart from manufacturing, the nation is also taking big strides in the fields of software generation, biotechnology, tourism, and financial services.
9. Cayman Islands
The per capita income of Cayman Islands is more than $48,140 and less than $54,100, as per World Bank figures. It has the 11th highest PCI in the world. At number 9 is Channel Islands and in the 10th spot is Andorra. The Cayman Islands are situated in the Caribbean Sea. It is a major financial centre and also one of the world’s best known tax havens. The nation’s economic mainstays are tourism and financial services.
10. Ireland
The Irish have a per capita income of $48,140, ranking them twelfth in the world. Ireland too has made rapid strides in the field of information technology. Construction, apart from agriculture, too is an important part of the Irish economy.
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