The state’s rapid growth, fueled by tech and clean energy, has made it the world’s fourth-largest economy
The US state of California’s economy has overtaken Japan’s to become the fourth-largest in the world, the office of the state’s governor, Gavin Newsom, has announced.
California’s nominal GDP reached $4.1 trillion in 2024, edging out Japan’s $4.02 trillion, according to data from the International Monetary Fund and the US Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released earlier this week. The state now trails only the US itself at $29.18 trillion, China at $18.74 trillion, and Germany at $4.65 trillion.
“California isn’t just keeping pace with the world – we’re setting the pace,” Newsom declared in a statement on Wednesday. “Our economy is thriving because we invest in people, prioritize sustainability, and believe in the power of innovation.”
The Golden State also outpaced the top three economies in growth, expanding by 6% last year compared to the US average of 5.3%, China’s 2.6%, and Germany’s 2.9%, the announcement read. Over the past four years, California’s economy grew at an average nominal rate of 7.5%.
Analysts attribute the state’s rapid gains to its booming technology, entertainment, and clean energy sectors. California, the most populous US state with nearly 40 million residents, is also a leader in manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism.
Meanwhile, Japan’s economy has struggled. Despite a slight uptick in GDP last quarter, the IMF this week cut its growth forecast for Japan to 0.6% for 2025, down from the 1.1% projected earlier this year, following just a 0.1% increase in 2024. Economists cite Japan’s shrinking workforce, stagnant labor productivity and rapidly rising commodity prices as the major obstacles to sustained growth.
“Japan’s economic fundamentals remain weak,” analysts at Deloitte said this week, warning that without significant reforms to boost innovation and efficiency, the country’s long-term prospects will continue to decline.
They warned that external pressures may also add to Japan’s economic troubles. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump imposed a 24% tariff on Japanese exports, although most tariffs have been paused until July. The 10% baseline tariff remains in place, along with a 25% duty on cars. The tariffs are expected to further weigh down Japan’s export-reliant economy, given that the US was the country’s largest export market in 2024.
Meanwhile, California has formally pushed back against Trump’s tariffs. The state became the first to sue the Trump administration over the new duties, arguing the measures would harm key California industries, including agriculture and technology.
“We’re not going to sit back while reckless trade wars endanger the livelihoods of millions of Californians,” Newsom stated.
However, the state grapples with significant social problems. The state’s poverty rate rose from 11.7% in fall 2021 to 13.2% in early 2023, with nearly one-third of residents living at or near the poverty line, according to the California Poverty Measure, developed by the Public Policy Institute of California and the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality.
Homelessness remains a pressing issue, with voter frustration mounting over the state’s inability to address the crisis effectively. A recent poll from Politico and UC Berkeley’s Citrin Center indicated that over a third of California voters support local laws permitting police to arrest individuals camping outside if they refuse shelter.
