How has the GDP of top economies changed over the years?

How has the GDP of top economies changed over the years? The US, the UK, France and — with the exception of a few turbulent years — Germany have dominated the global economy in the modern industrial age. But in this dynamic chronological chart by WawamuStats showing changes in GDP by country from 1960-2017, it is the Asian economies that have stood out over the past four decades (watch, runtime: 3:07). Japan skyrocketed past Germany in 1972, sustaining its position as the world’s second-largest economy for over three decades, only to be overtaken by another Asian powerhouse: China. Despite having to transition out of its command economy and overcome Mao’s hugely damaging Great Leap Forward, Beijing has achieved record growth rates, joining the US as the only country in world history whose GDP has surpassed the USD 10 tn mark.