California Becomes World’s 4th-Largest Economy

California now ranks as the world’s fourth-largest economy, surpassing Japan, according to international and domestic trackers.

California’s gross domestic product reached $4.1 trillion in 2024, surpassing Japan’s $4.01 trillion and ranking behind only the U.S., China, and Germany.

Data showed that if California were its own country, its 6% GDP growth rate in 2024 would surpass the U.S. (5.3%), China (2.6%), and Germany (2.9%), making it the world’s fastest-growing major economy.