The US GDP of $27.4 trillion (2024) is approximately 2.7 times larger than Japan's $4.2 trillion, making the US the world's largest economy by a significant margin. This gap reflects the US population being 2.5 times larger, higher per-capita productivity, and greater technological innovation sectors.
US GDP vs Japan GDP — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
World's largest nominal economy with $27.4 trillion in total output (2024)
World's third-largest economy with $4.2 trillion GDP focused on advanced manufacturing and robotics
Total GDP (2024). GDP Per Capita (2024). Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024). Population (2024). Tech Sector % of GDP (2024). Manufacturing % of GDP (2024). World Economic Share % (2024)
The US economy is substantially larger with greater growth momentum, higher per-capita income, and dominant tech sector influence. Choose the US economy for analyzing global economic leadership, tech innovation impact, and consumer spending power. Choose Japan's economy if studying advanced manufacturing efficiency, demographic challenges, or developed-nation stagnation patterns.
United States GDP: $30+ trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $30 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 2.0-2.5% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $925.8 billion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $4,175.4 billion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: €3,981 | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 15-20% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 5-8% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: Market-driven; highly transparent | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $31.821 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 2.1-2.5% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $89,000+ | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 23.64% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: ~20% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 0-0.5% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $30+ | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 2.5-2.7% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: €925.8 billion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 10-15% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $31.82 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 2.1% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 2.0% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 28-30% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $433.731 billion annualized | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 1 (United States) | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: #1 globally | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $31.8 trillion (real) | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $27.4 trillion | Japan GDP: $4.2 trillion
United States GDP: 2.5% | Japan GDP: 1.0%
United States GDP: $34 trillion | Japan GDP: $11.1 trillion
United States GDP: 11.8% | Japan GDP: 19.2%
United States GDP: 11.2% | Japan GDP: 8.7%
United States GDP: 2.7% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 12.1% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 26% | Japan GDP: 4.0%
United States GDP: 60 companies | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $27.4 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $81,285 | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 2.5% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $82,450 | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 11.2% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 12.5% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $0.14 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $27.9 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 8.1% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 130% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $28.9 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $2.1 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 123% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $285 billion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 336 million | Japan GDP: 122 million
United States GDP: $28.7 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $85,400 | Japan GDP: $63,902
United States GDP: $1.8 trillion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 32.8% | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: $81,695 | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 0.339 billion | Japan GDP: N/A
United States GDP: 135 companies | Japan GDP: N/A
How to choose between United States GDP and Japan GDP
US GDP vs Japan GDP — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for US GDP vs Japan GDP. Contains 78 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
US GDP vs Japan GDP — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for US GDP vs Japan GDP.
Why is the US GDP so much larger than Japan's?
The US GDP is 6.5 times larger primarily due to: (1) population difference of 335M vs 122M, (2) higher per-capita productivity at $81,858 vs $63,902, (3) larger tech sector contributing 11.2% of GDP vs 8.7%, and (4) consistent 2.5% growth vs Japan's 1.0%. The US also has greater consumption-driven growth with personal spending at $14.3 trillion annually.
Is Japan's economy declining relative to the US?
Yes, Japan's relative share has declined significantly. In 1995, Japan represented 18% of global GDP; by 2024, it's 4%. This reflects Japan's 'Lost Decades' with average 1.0% annual growth since 2000, demographic decline (population shrinking 0.5% yearly), and workforce contraction (1.2% annually), while the US grew 2.5% average annually and expanded its population.
Which economy is stronger in manufacturing?
Japan has stronger manufacturing dominance with 19.2% of GDP derived from industrial production vs the US at 11.5%. Japan leads globally in robotics (355,000 industrial robots, 47% worldwide), automotive production (11.3M vehicles annually), and advanced precision manufacturing. However, the US leads in high-value tech manufacturing and semiconductor design.
How do their fiscal health metrics compare?
The US has higher absolute debt at $34 trillion vs Japan's $11.1 trillion. However, as percentage of GDP, Japan's debt burden is 264% vs the US at 127%, making Japan's relative burden higher. The US has a higher debt-to-GDP ratio growth rate at 2.1% annually compared to Japan's 0.8%, creating long-term sustainability concerns for both nations.
What's the outlook for each economy through 2030?
The US is projected to grow 2.3-2.8% annually through 2030, driven by tech investment, AI adoption, and immigration supporting workforce growth. Japan faces 1.2-1.5% growth, constrained by aging population (median age 49.2 vs US 38.7), workforce decline, and limited immigration. The US economic share gap is expected to widen from 26.1% to 27.3% by 2030.
How to Choose Between United States GDP and Japan GDP
Total GDP (2024): United States GDP has $27.4 trillion, while Japan GDP has $4.2 trillion.
GDP Per Capita (2024): United States GDP has $81,858, while Japan GDP has $63,902.
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2024): United States GDP has 2.5%, while Japan GDP has 1.0%.
Population (2024): United States GDP has 335 million, while Japan GDP has 122 million.
Tech Sector % of GDP (2024): United States GDP has 11.2%, while Japan GDP has 8.7%.
Manufacturing % of GDP (2024): United States GDP has 11.5%, while Japan GDP has 19.2%.
World Economic Share % (2024): United States GDP has 26.1%, while Japan GDP has 4.0%.