California Overtakes Japan in Global GDP Rankings

California just made history, officially surpassing Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy, Governor Gavin Newsom proudly announced. The state’s economy hit an impressive $4.1 trillion in 2024, according to early numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Japan, by comparison, recorded a GDP of $4.02 trillion during the same period, based on International Monetary Fund data.

Now, only the United States, China, and Germany have larger economies than California — and the Golden State is growing faster than all three, boasting a 6% growth rate last year.

“California isn’t just competing — we’re leading,” Newsom declared in a news release. “Our strength comes from investing in people, pushing for sustainability, and embracing innovation.”

However, the governor didn’t shy away from highlighting looming threats. Newsom warned that President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies could put California’s booming economy at risk. Last week, he even filed a lawsuit against Trump’s use of emergency powers to enforce global tariffs, claiming they were hurting families and businesses across the state.

With a population of about 40 million people and economic engines like Silicon Valley, real estate, and finance driving its success, California accounted for 14% of the entire U.S. GDP in 2024.

“California’s economy powers America,” Newsom emphasized. “And it must be protected.”