China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $4.44T for Japan, ranking 2/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.
China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $9.16T (206.5% of GDP) in Japan.
China vs Japan GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
China
|
Japan
|
|
| 2025 | $19,498,039,388,043 | $4,435,162,999,977 |
| 2024 | $18,729,668,435,848 | $4,190,008,188,359 |
| 2023 | $18,270,356,654,533 | $4,384,854,269,962 |
| 2022 | $18,316,765,021,690 | $4,447,976,207,315 |
| 2021 | $18,201,698,719,564 | $5,225,933,520,753 |
| 2020 | $14,996,414,166,715 | $5,189,197,543,645 |
| 2019 | $14,560,167,101,283 | $5,245,755,000,479 |
| 2018 | $14,147,765,772,964 | $5,154,293,721,630 |
| 2017 | $12,537,559,062,283 | $5,038,231,631,661 |
| 2016 | $11,456,024,084,962 | $5,110,357,383,254 |
| 2015 | $11,280,814,787,469 | $4,534,438,580,495 |
| 2014 | $10,674,533,168,257 | $4,985,763,289,561 |
| 2013 | $9,743,124,247,267 | $5,272,297,037,397 |
| 2012 | $8,673,664,713,189 | $6,333,803,928,788 |
| 2011 | $7,671,757,207,851 | $6,279,422,550,219 |
| 2010 | $6,192,564,874,453 | $5,811,578,109,447 |
| 2009 | $5,189,577,094,998 | $5,336,765,697,589 |
| 2008 | $4,667,346,414,522 | $5,160,197,175,876 |
| 2007 | $3,604,055,822,572 | $4,624,670,179,655 |
| 2006 | $2,791,498,472,804 | $4,648,058,930,707 |
| 2005 | $2,317,551,298,052 | $4,875,648,486,366 |
| 2004 | $1,984,196,551,300 | $4,941,485,123,807 |
| 2003 | $1,683,903,309,844 | $4,573,413,206,709 |
| 2002 | $1,489,821,682,051 | $4,245,946,980,572 |
| 2001 | $1,355,036,590,252 | $4,438,792,748,062 |
| 2000 | $1,223,754,919,971 | $5,042,381,838,343 |
| 1999 | $1,103,843,203,576 | $4,688,983,449,627 |
| 1998 | $1,037,134,141,760 | $4,150,359,076,370 |
| 1997 | $967,753,570,435 | $4,579,780,793,432 |
| 1996 | $868,523,936,530 | $5,021,441,618,840 |
| 1995 | $738,190,896,228 | $5,639,649,753,986 |
| 1994 | $566,929,539,493 | $5,104,063,486,348 |
| 1993 | $446,557,291,212 | $4,632,480,515,091 |
| 1992 | $428,502,354,788 | $4,064,529,567,505 |
| 1991 | $384,510,452,962 | $3,724,887,648,862 |
| 1990 | $361,560,229,446 | $3,252,994,239,867 |
| 1989 | $348,380,566,802 | $3,174,934,735,896 |
| 1988 | $312,888,888,889 | $3,191,546,727,316 |
| 1987 | $273,455,156,951 | $2,635,094,473,494 |
| 1986 | $301,310,144,928 | $2,164,729,071,349 |
| 1985 | $310,064,625,850 | $1,457,070,301,468 |
| 1984 | $260,442,857,143 | $1,374,165,212,365 |
| 1983 | $231,130,268,199 | $1,297,622,008,229 |
| 1982 | $205,480,916,031 | $1,183,132,285,328 |
| 1981 | $196,218,253,968 | $1,271,443,597,067 |
| 1980 | $191,487,500,000 | $1,153,159,955,513 |
| 1979 | $178,573,913,043 | $1,100,608,979,757 |
| 1978 | $149,788,617,886 | $1,057,419,758,047 |
| 1977 | $175,226,595,860 | $752,590,681,822 |
| 1976 | $154,196,810,059 | $611,495,350,304 |
| 1975 | $163,687,619,736 | $544,082,569,364 |
| 1974 | $144,418,433,058 | $500,355,087,138 |
| 1973 | $138,764,340,892 | $450,756,970,744 |
| 1972 | $113,871,930,714 | $331,776,379,992 |
| 1971 | $99,959,013,880 | $250,530,994,765 |
| 1970 | $92,752,930,873 | $221,798,003,144 |
| 1969 | $79,847,786,729 | $188,179,852,753 |
| 1968 | $70,980,323,819 | $160,201,483,788 |
| 1967 | $73,011,350,596 | $135,265,319,098 |
| 1966 | $76,854,053,259 | $115,427,351,851 |
| 1965 | $70,565,994,356 | $99,387,878,008 |
| 1964 | $59,821,862,703 | $89,332,989,729 |
| 1963 | $50,812,227,919 | $75,945,582,324 |
| 1962 | $47,310,737,754 | $66,356,388,224 |
| 1961 | $50,162,299,350 | $58,472,696,006 |
| 1960 | $59,846,235,025 | $48,417,804,545 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/china/japan | CC BY 
GDP per capita in China vs Japan by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
China
|
Japan
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2025 | $13,862 | - | $35,951 | - |
| 2024 | $13,293 | $27,105 | $33,797 | $52,039 |
| 2023 | $12,951 | $25,179 | $35,215 | $50,662 |
| 2022 | $12,971 | $23,032 | $35,548 | $47,192 |
| 2021 | $12,887 | $20,843 | $41,581 | $44,355 |
| 2020 | $10,627 | $18,267 | $41,099 | $42,426 |
| 2019 | $10,343 | $17,601 | $41,425 | $42,678 |
| 2018 | $10,086 | $16,298 | $40,645 | $42,142 |
| 2017 | $8,980 | $15,022 | $39,680 | $41,444 |
| 2016 | $8,255 | $14,157 | $40,215 | $40,597 |
| 2015 | $8,175 | $13,463 | $35,665 | $40,899 |
| 2014 | $7,781 | $12,942 | $39,173 | $39,555 |
| 2013 | $7,147 | $12,228 | $41,369 | $39,402 |
| 2012 | $6,405 | $11,420 | $49,627 | $37,606 |
| 2011 | $5,704 | $10,457 | $49,122 | $36,214 |
| 2010 | $4,629 | $9,411 | $45,378 | $35,336 |
| 2009 | $3,898 | $8,448 | $41,678 | $33,543 |
| 2008 | $3,523 | $7,713 | $40,294 | $35,274 |
| 2007 | $2,735 | $6,935 | $36,130 | $35,015 |
| 2006 | $2,129 | $5,946 | $36,354 | $33,632 |
| 2005 | $1,778 | $5,148 | $38,159 | $32,170 |
| 2004 | $1,531 | $4,505 | $38,678 | $30,832 |
| 2003 | $1,307 | $4,007 | $35,809 | $29,392 |
| 2002 | $1,164 | $3,591 | $33,316 | $28,624 |
| 2001 | $1,065 | $3,258 | $34,910 | $27,943 |
| 2000 | $969 | $2,964 | $39,753 | $27,288 |
| 1999 | $881 | $2,690 | $37,029 | $25,736 |
| 1998 | $835 | $2,483 | $32,835 | $25,508 |
| 1997 | $787 | $2,297 | $36,331 | $25,619 |
| 1996 | $713 | $2,088 | $39,930 | $24,999 |
| 1995 | $613 | $1,884 | $44,947 | $23,858 |
| 1994 | $476 | $1,680 | $40,774 | $22,823 |
| 1993 | $379 | $1,471 | $37,111 | $22,168 |
| 1992 | $368 | $1,276 | $32,667 | $21,825 |
| 1991 | $334 | $1,105 | $30,048 | $21,227 |
| 1990 | $319 | $991 | $26,345 | $19,912 |
| 1989 | $311 | - | $25,798 | - |
| 1988 | $284 | - | $26,037 | - |
| 1987 | $252.3 | - | $21,587 | - |
| 1986 | $282.4 | - | $17,819 | - |
| 1985 | $295 | - | $12,058 | - |
| 1984 | $251.2 | - | $11,443 | - |
| 1983 | $225.9 | - | $10,876 | - |
| 1982 | $203.7 | - | $9,986 | - |
| 1981 | $197.4 | - | $10,806 | - |
| 1980 | $195.1 | - | $9,872 | - |
| 1979 | $184.3 | - | $9,497 | - |
| 1978 | $156.7 | - | $9,202 | - |
| 1977 | $185.7 | - | $6,609 | - |
| 1976 | $165.7 | - | $5,422 | - |
| 1975 | $178.6 | - | $4,876 | - |
| 1974 | $160.4 | - | $4,542 | - |
| 1973 | $157.3 | - | $4,147 | - |
| 1972 | $132.1 | - | $3,095 | - |
| 1971 | $118.8 | - | $2,370 | - |
| 1970 | $113.3 | - | $2,145 | - |
| 1969 | $100.3 | - | $1,841 | - |
| 1968 | $91.6 | - | $1,586 | - |
| 1967 | $96.8 | - | $1,354 | - |
| 1966 | $104.5 | - | $1,168 | - |
| 1965 | $98.7 | - | $1,015 | - |
| 1964 | $85.7 | - | $922 | - |
| 1963 | $74.5 | - | $792 | - |
| 1962 | $71.1 | - | $699 | - |
| 1961 | $76 | - | $622 | - |
| 1960 | $89.7 | - | $519 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/china/japan | CC BY
China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $35,951 in Japan, ranking 34/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.
Economic indicators
|
China
|
Japan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$19.5T
2025 |
$4.44T
2025 |
| GDP rank |
2/197
2025 |
4/197
2025 |
| GDP growth |
4.96%
2024-2025 |
1.19%
2024-2025 |
| GDP per capita |
$13,862
2025 |
$35,951
2025 |
| GDP per capita rank |
77/197
2025 |
34/197
2025 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$27,105
2024 |
$52,039
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
77/197
2024 |
41/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$19.3T
2025 |
$9.16T
2025 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
99.2%
2025 |
206.5%
2025 |
| Government debt per person |
$13,756
2025 |
$74,248
2025 |
| Government debt per person rank |
47/185
2025 |
3/185
2025 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$10,414
2026 |
$22,962
2026 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$15.5T
2025 |
$7.61T
2025 |
| Number of millionaires |
5,305,000
2026 |
2,902,000
2026 |
| Number of billionaires |
539
2026 |
41
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
28.4%
2022 |
24.3%
2020 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.1%
2022 |
2.3%
2020 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
32.9%
2025 |
36.9%
2025 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
0%
2024-2025 |
3.17%
2024-2025 |
| Central bank interest rate |
3%
2025 |
0.75%
2025 |
| Unemployment rate |
4.57%
2022 |
2.5%
2025 |
| Population |
1403335670
|
122704252
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
China
|
Japan
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2025 | 32.9% | 99.2% | 36.9% | 206.5% |
| 2024 | 32.9% | 90.4% | 37.3% | 214.5% |
| 2023 | 32.7% | 84.1% | 37.8% | 220.3% |
| 2022 | 32.6% | 77.3% | 40.2% | 227.8% |
| 2021 | 31.9% | 72.1% | 41.3% | 222.7% |
| 2020 | 34.8% | 70.1% | 43.6% | 228.8% |
| 2019 | 33.6% | 59.8% | 36.4% | 206.3% |
| 2018 | 32.6% | 55.9% | 36% | 203.7% |
| 2017 | 32% | 53.9% | 35.9% | 203.1% |
| 2016 | 31.7% | 50% | 36.5% | 202.1% |
| 2015 | 31% | 40.8% | 36.6% | 200.1% |
| 2014 | 28.4% | 39.3% | 37.8% | 203.6% |
| 2013 | 28.1% | 36.4% | 38.4% | 201.2% |
| 2012 | 27.7% | 33.8% | 38.4% | 197.1% |
| 2011 | 26.6% | 33.2% | 38.4% | 190.6% |
| 2010 | 24.7% | 33.3% | 37.4% | 178.6% |
| 2009 | 25.2% | 34% | 38.3% | 172.9% |
| 2008 | 22.2% | 26.7% | 33.7% | 153.6% |
| 2007 | 17.9% | 28.7% | 32.8% | 150.4% |
| 2006 | 18.1% | 25.2% | 32.7% | 152.1% |
| 2005 | 18% | 25.9% | 33.2% | 153.4% |
| 2004 | 17.6% | 26% | 33.3% | 148.8% |
| 2003 | 18% | 26.4% | 34.6% | 140.2% |
| 2002 | 18.2% | 25.6% | 34.9% | 134.6% |
| 2001 | 17.2% | 24.3% | 34.7% | 126.8% |
| 2000 | 16.1% | 22.7% | 35.4% | 118.5% |
| 1999 | 14.9% | 21.6% | 35.2% | 113.5% |
| 1998 | 12.6% | 20.4% | 38.1% | 101.6% |
| 1997 | 11.5% | 20.4% | 32.4% | 91.3% |
| 1996 | 11% | 21.2% | 33.1% | 85.3% |
| 1995 | 11.1% | 21.4% | 32.8% | 80.7% |
| 1994 | 12.4% | - | 32.1% | 73.3% |
| 1993 | 13.4% | - | 31.4% | 63.2% |
| 1992 | 14.6% | - | 29.6% | 57.9% |
| 1991 | 16.5% | - | 28.6% | 54.1% |
| 1990 | 18.2% | - | 28.8% | 54.8% |
| 1989 | 18.6% | - | 29.2% | 65.7% |
| 1988 | 20.9% | 4.46% | 29.9% | 71.9% |
| 1987 | 23.4% | 3.6% | 30.6% | 75.8% |
| 1986 | 25.6% | 3.24% | 30.4% | 74.1% |
| 1985 | 25.8% | 3.31% | 30.4% | 68.3% |
| 1984 | 26.9% | 0.97% | 31.2% | 65.6% |
| 1983 | 28.3% | - | 31.8% | 63.5% |
| 1982 | 27.9% | - | 31.7% | 57.7% |
| 1981 | - | - | 31.5% | 52.8% |
| 1980 | - | - | 33.5% | 47.8% |
| 1979 | - | - | 33.2% | 43.8% |
| 1978 | - | - | 32.1% | 39% |
| 1977 | - | - | 30.4% | 31.1% |
| 1976 | - | - | 29.1% | 26.1% |
| 1975 | - | - | 28.5% | 20.9% |
| 1974 | - | - | 25.5% | 16.7% |
| 1973 | - | - | 23.3% | 15.9% |
| 1972 | - | - | 23.1% | 16.3% |
| 1971 | - | - | 21.8% | 12.6% |
| 1970 | - | - | 20.2% | 11.2% |
| 1969 | - | - | 19.8% | 11.4% |
| 1968 | - | - | 20.1% | 11.8% |
| 1967 | - | - | 19.9% | 11.4% |
| 1966 | - | - | 20.8% | 11.2% |
| 1965 | - | - | 20.4% | 9.78% |
| 1964 | - | - | 19.8% | 8.53% |
| 1963 | - | - | 20% | 8.66% |
| 1962 | - | - | 19.4% | 9.01% |
| 1961 | - | - | 18.2% | 8.44% |
| 1960 | - | - | 18.4% | 10.4% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/china/japan | CC BY
In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.63T, or 36.9% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 206.5% in Japan, ranking 26/185 and 3/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
Japan
|
|
| 2025 | -7.87% | -1.05% |
| 2024 | -7.11% | -1.67% |
| 2023 | -6.71% | -2.39% |
| 2022 | -7.32% | -4.23% |
| 2021 | -5.9% | -6.32% |
| 2020 | -9.56% | -9.04% |
| 2019 | -6% | -3.05% |
| 2018 | -4.2% | -2.44% |
| 2017 | -3.34% | -3.05% |
| 2016 | -3.33% | -3.58% |
| 2015 | -2.5% | -3.64% |
| 2014 | -0.67% | -5.58% |
| 2013 | -0.82% | -7.62% |
| 2012 | -0.3% | -8.22% |
| 2011 | -0.1% | -9.02% |
| 2010 | -0.36% | -9.05% |
| 2009 | -1.72% | -9.62% |
| 2008 | -0.02% | -4.07% |
| 2007 | 0.06% | -2.86% |
| 2006 | -1.13% | -3% |
| 2005 | -1.38% | -4.39% |
| 2004 | -1.49% | -5.26% |
| 2003 | -2.36% | -7.35% |
| 2002 | -2.84% | -7.22% |
| 2001 | -2.56% | -6.11% |
| 2000 | -2.81% | -7.17% |
| 1999 | -2.3% | -6.68% |
| 1998 | -1.08% | -9.91% |
| 1997 | -0.73% | -3.44% |
| 1996 | -0.73% | -4.75% |
| 1995 | -0.94% | -4.22% |
| 1994 | -1.68% | -3.7% |
| 1993 | -0.89% | -2.34% |
| 1992 | -1.22% | 0.56% |
| 1991 | -1.04% | 1.64% |
| 1990 | -0.72% | 1.91% |
| 1989 | -0.91% | 1.23% |
| 1988 | -2.22% | 0.49% |
| 1987 | -2.08% | -0.36% |
| 1986 | -1.82% | -1.36% |
| 1985 | -0.45% | -1.37% |
| 1984 | -1.44% | -2.62% |
| 1983 | -1.61% | -3.95% |
| 1982 | -1.33% | -3.81% |
| 1981 | - | -3.85% |
| 1980 | - | -4.66% |
| 1979 | - | -5% |
| 1978 | - | -5.79% |
| 1977 | - | -4.02% |
| 1976 | - | -3.89% |
| 1975 | - | -2.92% |
| 1974 | - | 0.38% |
| 1973 | - | 0.56% |
| 1972 | - | -0.13% |
| 1971 | - | 1.21% |
| 1970 | - | 1.74% |
| 1969 | - | 1.26% |
| 1968 | - | 0.88% |
| 1967 | - | 0.8% |
| 1966 | - | -0.34% |
| 1965 | - | 0.48% |
| 1964 | - | 0.85% |
| 1963 | - | 1.08% |
| 1962 | - | 1.49% |
| 1961 | - | 2.58% |
| 1960 | - | 1.85% |
| 1959 | - | 0.97% |
| 1958 | - | -0.1% |
| 1957 | - | 1.27% |
| 1956 | - | 1.39% |
| 1955 | - | -0.67% |
| 1954 | - | 0.7% |
| 1953 | - | 1.65% |
| 1952 | - | 2.22% |
| 1951 | - | 5.06% |
| 1950 | - | 6.99% |
| 1949 | - | 12.5% |
| 1948 | - | 7.53% |
| 1947 | - | 6.09% |
| 1946 | - | - |
| 1945 | - | - |
| 1944 | - | - |
| 1943 | - | 0.32% |
| 1942 | - | -0.13% |
| 1941 | - | -0.19% |
| 1940 | - | 0.31% |
| 1939 | - | 0.11% |
| 1938 | - | 0.45% |
| 1937 | - | 0.71% |
| 1936 | - | 0.34% |
| 1935 | - | 0.26% |
| 1934 | - | 0.34% |
| 1933 | - | 0.28% |
| 1932 | - | 0.31% |
| 1931 | - | 0.23% |
| 1930 | - | 0.19% |
| 1929 | - | 0.5% |
| 1928 | - | 0.42% |
| 1927 | - | 0.58% |
| 1926 | - | 0.65% |
| 1925 | - | 0.75% |
| 1924 | - | 0.84% |
| 1923 | - | 0.87% |
| 1922 | - | 0.89% |
| 1921 | - | 1.43% |
| 1920 | - | 1.19% |
| 1919 | - | 1.21% |
| 1918 | - | 1.58% |
| 1917 | - | 1.54% |
| 1916 | - | 1.37% |
| 1915 | - | 1.41% |
| 1914 | - | 1.31% |
| 1913 | - | 1.21% |
| 1912 | - | 1.27% |
| 1911 | - | 1.21% |
| 1910 | - | 1.57% |
| 1909 | - | 1.51% |
| 1908 | - | 1.63% |
| 1907 | - | 1.77% |
| 1906 | - | 0.46% |
| 1905 | - | -0.68% |
| 1904 | - | -0.81% |
| 1903 | - | 0.19% |
| 1902 | - | 0.44% |
| 1901 | - | 0.21% |
| 1900 | - | 0.53% |
| 1899 | - | 0.2% |
| 1898 | - | 0.6% |
| 1897 | - | 0.33% |
| 1896 | - | 0.88% |
| 1895 | - | 0.28% |
| 1894 | - | -0.24% |
| 1893 | - | 0.6% |
| 1892 | - | 0.63% |
| 1891 | - | 0.61% |
| 1890 | - | 0.74% |
| 1889 | - | 0.18% |
| 1888 | - | 0.13% |
| 1887 | - | 0.11% |
| 1886 | - | 0.03% |
| 1885 | - | 0.01% |
| 1884 | - | 0.001% |
| 1883 | - | 0.03% |
| 1882 | - | 0.001% |
| 1881 | - | 0.001% |
| 1880 | - | 0.004% |
| 1879 | - | 0.02% |
| 1878 | - | 0.02% |
| 1877 | - | -0.29% |
| 1876 | - | -0.42% |
| 1875 | - | 0.005% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/china/japan | CC BY
In 2025, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53T, equivalent to 7.87% of GDP. This compares to Japan's deficit of $46.7B, or 1.05% of GDP.
Over the past 44 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 43 of those years, while Japan ran a deficit in 39 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.08% of GDP for Japan.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
Japan
|
|
| 2025 | 0% | 3.17% |
| 2024 | 0.2% | 2.74% |
| 2023 | 0.2% | 3.27% |
| 2022 | 2% | 2.5% |
| 2021 | 0.9% | -0.23% |
| 2020 | 2.5% | -0.02% |
| 2019 | 2.9% | 0.47% |
| 2018 | 2.1% | 0.99% |
| 2017 | 1.6% | 0.48% |
| 2016 | 2% | -0.13% |
| 2015 | 1.4% | 0.8% |
| 2014 | 2% | 2.76% |
| 2013 | 2.6% | 0.34% |
| 2012 | 2.6% | -0.04% |
| 2011 | 5.4% | -0.27% |
| 2010 | 3.3% | -0.73% |
| 2009 | -0.7% | -1.35% |
| 2008 | 5.8% | 1.38% |
| 2007 | 4.8% | 0.06% |
| 2006 | 1.5% | 0.25% |
| 2005 | 1.8% | -0.28% |
| 2004 | 3.9% | -0.009% |
| 2003 | 1.2% | -0.26% |
| 2002 | -0.8% | -0.92% |
| 2001 | 0.7% | -0.74% |
| 2000 | 0.4% | -0.68% |
| 1999 | -1.4% | -0.34% |
| 1998 | -0.8% | 0.66% |
| 1997 | 2.8% | 1.75% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/china/japan | CC BY
Over the past 29 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 0.54% in Japan. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 3.17% in Japan.
Top exports between countries
|
China
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Machinery & equipment | $78.5B |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $32.8B |
| Chemicals & pharma | $11.9B |
| Metals | $8.67B |
| Raw materials & minerals | $8.23B |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $5.51B |
| Business & finance services | $4.99B |
| Miscellaneous | $3.86B |
| Transport & tourism services | $2.98B |
| Raw agricultural goods | $2.79B |
|
Japan
|
|
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value |
| Machinery & equipment | $68.6B |
| Chemicals & pharma | $22.8B |
| Metals | $11.8B |
| Transport & tourism services | $9.46B |
| Miscellaneous | $8.81B |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $6.25B |
| IT & IP services | $4.61B |
| Raw materials & minerals | $4.2B |
| Business & finance services | $2.04B |
| Precious metals & jewellery | $1.19B |
Balance of trade
|
China
|
Japan
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$735B
2025 |
$216B
2025 |
| Current account balance ranking |
1/190
2025 |
3/190
2025 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
+3.77%
2025 |
+4.86%
2025 |
| Goods imports |
$2.69T
2025 |
$729B
2025 |
| Goods exports |
$3.75T
2025 |
$725B
2025 |
| Service imports |
$623B
2025 |
$269B
2025 |
| Service exports |
$385B
2025 |
$246B
2025 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
16.9%
2025 |
22.9%
2024 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
21.1%
2025 |
22%
2024 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
China
|
Japan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 48.3 | 70.3 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 170/197 | 36/197 |
| Property rights | 40.9 | 94.2 |
| Government integrity | 42.3 | 81.1 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 38.6 | 97.9 |
| Tax burden | 69.3 | 63 |
| Government spending | 67.8 | 52 |
| Fiscal health | 4.4 | 41.7 |
| Business freedom | 68.7 | 77.8 |
| Labor freedom | 57.9 | 65.9 |
| Monetary freedom | 76.1 | 74.3 |
| Trade freedom | 73.4 | 76.2 |
| Investment freedom | 20 | 60 |
| Financial freedom | 20 | 60 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
China
|
Japan
|
|
| 2026 | 48.3 | 70.3 |
| 2025 | 49 | 70.2 |
| 2024 | 48.5 | 67.5 |
| 2023 | 48.3 | 69.3 |
| 2022 | 48 | 69.9 |
| 2021 | 58.4 | 74.1 |
| 2020 | 59.5 | 73.3 |
| 2019 | 58.4 | 72.1 |
| 2018 | 57.8 | 72.3 |
| 2017 | 57.4 | 69.6 |
| 2016 | 52 | 73.1 |
| 2015 | 52.7 | 73.3 |
| 2014 | 52.5 | 72.4 |
| 2013 | 51.9 | 71.8 |
| 2012 | 51.2 | 71.6 |
| 2011 | 52 | 72.8 |
| 2010 | 51 | 72.9 |
| 2009 | 53.2 | 72.8 |
| 2008 | 53.1 | 73 |
| 2007 | 52 | 72.7 |
| 2006 | 53.6 | 73.3 |
| 2005 | 53.7 | 67.3 |
| 2004 | 52.5 | 64.3 |
| 2003 | 52.6 | 67.6 |
| 2002 | 52.8 | 66.7 |
| 2001 | 52.6 | 70.9 |
| 2000 | 56.4 | 70.7 |
| 1999 | 54.8 | 69.1 |
| 1998 | 53.1 | 70.2 |
| 1997 | 51.7 | 70.3 |
| 1996 | 51.3 | 72.6 |
| 1995 | 52 | 75 |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/china/japan | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 70.3 for Japan, ranking 36/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
Other economic metrics
|
China
|
Japan
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
57.7%
2025 |
71.4%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
35.6%
2025 |
26.8%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
6.66%
2025 |
0.96%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$20T
2025 |
$4.73T
2025 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$29,160
2025 |
$58,920
2025 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$3.75T
2025 |
$1.37T
2025 |
| Total reserves ranking |
1/177
2025 |
3/177
2025 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$77.2B
2025 |
$172B
2025 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$42.6B
2024 |
$18.9B
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$192B
2024 |
$207B
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
1.9%
2024 |
n/a |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
0%
2020 |
16.1%
2020 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
40.5%
2024 |
27.7%
2024 |
GDP per capita map
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).
GeoRank.org/economy/china/japan | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- TradeMap (2016–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.
The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.
Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.
A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).
Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.
Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.
Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.
Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.