California has officially outpaced Japan to become the fourth-largest economy in the world, according to new data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The Golden State’s gross domestic product (GDP) surged to $4.10 trillion in 2024, edging out Japan’s $4.01 trillion, and trailing only Germany, China, and the U.S. as a whole.
Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the milestone, stating, “California isn’t just keeping pace with the world – we’re setting the pace.” The announcement underscores the state’s economic might, powered by leading sectors in manufacturing, agriculture, technology, and entertainment, as well as its global trade hubs—the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Still, California’s robust economic diversity—spanning Silicon Valley to Hollywood and the Central Valley’s agricultural heartland—continues to reinforce its status as a powerhouse of global commerce and culture.
