On the test stand
China and Russia: a statistical comparison
Deutsche Fassung
Abstract
Russia is Lilliputian compared with China. The gross domestic product of the most economically powerful country in the world is six times higher than that of Russia. This chasm will widen further, since China’s labour productivity continues to grow and its investment quota is double that of Russia. China not only produces the largest quantities of important raw materials and food-stuffs worldwide, but also the highest amount of industrial products. By contrast, the only areas where Russia overtakes China are agricultural products, mineral resources, iron and steel. When it comes to non-military industrial products, it falls well below its GDP ranking. While Russia’s growth is currently already slow, the Chinese gross domestic product will continue to grow less strongly in future due to the decline in the potential labour force. In addition, greater importance will be given to environmental standards in both states.
(Osteuropa 1-2/2020, pp. 121–139)