California ranks as the 4th largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, behind only the United States, China, and Germany.

Quick scoop

California’s GDP was reported at about $4.1 trillion in 2024 when it moved into 4th place, and state reporting later put it at $4.25 trillion in 2025. That means California’s economy is larger than Japan’s, which it passed.

What that means

  • California is not a country, but its economy is big enough to be compared with national economies.
  • It has stayed near the top of global rankings for several years, moving from 5th to 4th most recently.
  • The ranking can shift slightly depending on exchange rates, data source, and whether the comparison uses nominal GDP.

At a glance

Rank Economy
1 United States
2 China
3 Germany
4 California
5 Japan