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California’s Global Economic Rank Faces Challenges as Growth Slows

Despite becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy in 2024, California’s position is threatened by a cooling economy, currency shifts, and rising global competition.

Overview

  • California’s GDP reached $4.1 trillion in 2024, making it the fourth-largest economy globally, surpassing Japan for the first time.
  • The state’s economic growth slowed significantly in Q4 2024, with a 4% annualized rate, ranking 40th among U.S. states and trailing the national average of 4.8%.
  • A 10% appreciation of the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar in early 2025 could impact California’s nominal GDP ranking, potentially allowing Japan to reclaim the fourth spot.
  • India’s rapidly growing economy, projected to expand by 6.2% in 2025, is poised to overtake California’s GDP in the near future.
  • Adjusting for California’s high cost of living, the state’s global economic ranking drops to 12th, highlighting affordability challenges for residents and businesses.