California has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth largest economy, according to recent data released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, BBC reported.
The state’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached $4.10trn in 2024, edging past Japan’s $4.01trn.
Governor Gavin Newsom hailed the milestone, saying California is “setting the pace” for global economic growth. The state now ranks behind only the United States as a whole, China, and Germany, according to BBC.
The announcement comes amid Newsom’s ongoing criticism of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies and his concerns about the long-term stability of California’s economy.
