How it’s possible Mississippi and other states that Americans perceive as very poor have a higher GDP per capita than countries we perceive as rich like France

Question

US States by GDP per capita: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_GDP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_and_territories_by_GDP)

Countries by GDP per capita: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(nominal)_per_capita)

In: 322

Answer 1

This entire discussion is what Twain was talking about when he said “There are lies, Damned lies, and statistics”.

The capitol city of Mississippi does not have a functional water system. Regardless of the numbers on income, Mississippi is a third world nation when it comes to quality of life and public services. Black citizens of Mississippi can, on average, expect to be paid significantly less than whites citizens and have lower access to health care and other vital services.

The wealth generated by Mississippi’s GDP does not reach its citizens and its black citizens are especially isolated from any wealth generation.