[sudosysgen]

The Soviet Union was still the #2 economy too. And while it was behind in microprocessors, it was ahead in other branches, for example phage therapy and some fields of metallurgy. So it is correct to say that it was #2.

[codekansas]

Per what measure? Are you counting the United States and Western Europe as the #1 economy collectively?

[sudosysgen]

Using either GNP or GDP, the USSR was the State with the second biggest economy for most of its existence.

[frank2]

Sure, if you believe the figures published by the USSR's government.

[newen]

With around the same population as the US too.

[sudosysgen]

Indeed, it was only very slightly more populous than the US.