China is set to overtake the US as the biggest economy globally by 2026, according to a GMI poll.

Forty one per cent of respondents said China would be the world's leading economy in 20 years, while 35 per cent chose the US, 10 per cent favoured Japan and 6 per cent went for India.

But just 1 per cent of respondents felt the UK would be the world's biggest economy by 2026.

Population size and low labour costs were significant assets for both China and India, according to the poll.

However, high levels of bureaucracy and corruption were two problems that both nations needed to overcome, the survey added.

China's economy grew by 10.2 per cent in the first quarter of 2006 after expanding by 9.5 per cent last year.

The online poll was conducted on behalf of the BBC.