America is still by far the biggest kid on the economic block. GDP is forecast to grow to $16.7 trillion in 2013. That's nearly double the size of the world's second largest economy -- China -- which is valued at $8.94 trillion.

Related: What's ahead for the U.S. economy in 2014

The strength of the U.S. recovery this year has allowed the Federal Reserve to begin reducing the amount of cash it has been pumping into the economy.

But many Americans aren't yet feeling the benefits of the upturn. The pain is particularly acute for the long term unemployed, while limited wage growth and rising mortgage rates are hurting others.