The Mountain To Climb | Oliver W. Kim

Economics PhD Student, UC Berkeley

The Mountain To Climb Nov 28, 2025 At , when will reach 2023 GDP per capita in ? With this tool, you can calculate how long it will take for developing countries to reach higher income levels–the mountain to climb, so to speak–under a range of growth scenarios, ranging from the pessimistic to the optimistic. The figures lay bare the harsh logic of compounding economic growth, and the staggering levels of inequality between countries. (Data is current as of 2023.) Some stark examples: At its average historical growth rate, it will take over 300 years for to reach the 2019 GDP per capita…

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