Gallop polled 1,007 U.S. adults Feb.11-14 and found 4 in 10 respondents saying China leads the world's economies, while only 3 out of 10 respondents said the U.S. economy was greater.

In May 2000, 65 percent said the United States led all others, the report said.

As opinions ebb and flow, Europe, Japan and other nations could be perceived as more dominant. But, in the switch recorded in the poll, "nearly all the movement away from the United States … has gone to China," the report said.

The opinions reflect low consumer confidence in the United States and steady gains made in China in the last few decades, the report said.

Since 1978, China's economy has expanded on average 9.6 percent a year, the report said.