Skip to content

Economy of Japan vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Japan has a GDP of $4.03T compared to $43.7B for Latvia, ranking 4/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.51T in government debt (236.1% of GDP), compared to $20.4B (46.8% of GDP) in Latvia.

Japan vs Latvia GDP by year

Japan
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Latvia
2024 $4,027,597,523,551 $43,684,254,432
2023 $4,213,167,237,906 $42,779,550,937
2022 $4,262,463,317,797 $38,003,198,509
2021 $5,039,148,168,861 $38,183,326,785
2020 $5,054,068,005,376 $33,379,927,435
2019 $5,117,993,853,017 $33,099,503,951
2018 $5,040,880,939,325 $33,247,935,477
2017 $4,930,837,369,151 $29,391,059,767
2016 $5,003,677,627,544 $27,117,105,060
2015 $4,444,930,651,964 $26,344,565,877
2014 $4,896,994,405,353 $30,277,203,767
2013 $5,212,328,181,166 $29,152,128,168
2012 $6,272,362,996,105 $27,116,149,949
2011 $6,233,147,172,341 $26,575,547,901
2010 $5,759,071,769,013 $23,468,324,572
2009 $5,289,493,117,994 $25,691,530,442
2008 $5,106,679,115,127 $34,135,200,994
2007 $4,579,750,920,355 $29,420,499,248
2006 $4,601,663,122,650 $20,434,922,247
2005 $4,831,467,035,390 $16,306,935,905
2004 $4,893,116,005,657 $13,827,070,379
2003 $4,519,561,645,254 $11,244,337,720
2002 $4,182,846,045,874 $9,249,030,241
2001 $4,374,711,694,091 $8,190,888,740
2000 $4,968,359,075,957 $7,761,252,607
1999 $4,635,982,224,064 $7,324,192,890
1998 $4,098,362,709,531 $6,974,112,951
1997 $4,492,448,605,639 $6,349,481,007
1996 $4,923,391,533,852 $5,799,465,288
1995 $5,545,563,663,890 $5,608,208,785
1994 $4,998,797,547,741 -
1993 $4,536,940,479,038 -
1992 $3,980,702,922,118 -
1991 $3,648,065,760,649 -
1990 $3,185,904,656,664 -
1989 $3,109,455,047,824 -
1988 $3,125,724,434,401 -
1987 $2,580,748,422,781 -
1986 $2,120,083,812,110 -
1985 $1,427,019,759,717 -
1984 $1,345,824,500,837 -
1983 $1,270,859,919,743 -
1982 $1,158,731,426,906 -
1981 $1,245,221,410,764 -
1980 $1,129,377,244,854 -
1979 $1,077,910,077,676 -
1978 $1,035,611,588,217 -
1977 $737,069,290,928 -
1976 $598,883,902,156 -
1975 $532,861,438,885 -
1974 $490,035,789,970 -
1973 $441,460,582,536 -
1972 $324,933,841,269 -
1971 $245,364,056,622 -
1970 $217,223,652,719 -
1969 $184,298,841,305 -
1968 $156,897,496,759 -
1967 $132,475,614,227 -
1966 $113,046,784,179 -
1965 $97,338,107,606 -
1964 $87,490,590,818 -
1963 $74,379,284,603 -
1962 $64,987,857,542 -
1961 $57,266,758,180 -
1960 $47,419,238,274 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Japan vs Latvia by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,487 $52,039 $23,409 $43,394
2023 $33,836 $50,662 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $34,066 $47,192 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $40,095 $44,355 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $40,029 $42,426 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $40,416 $42,678 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $39,751 $42,142 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $38,834 $41,444 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $39,375 $40,597 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $34,961 $40,899 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $38,475 $39,555 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $40,899 $39,402 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $49,145 $37,606 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $48,760 $36,214 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $44,968 $35,336 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $41,309 $33,543 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $39,876 $35,274 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $35,779 $35,015 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $35,992 $33,632 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $37,813 $32,170 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $38,299 $30,832 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $35,387 $29,392 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $32,821 $28,624 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $34,406 $27,943 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $39,169 $27,288 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $36,610 $25,736 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $32,424 $25,508 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $35,638 $25,619 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $39,150 $24,999 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $44,198 $23,858 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $39,934 $22,823 - $5,012
1993 $36,345 $22,168 - $4,722
1992 $31,993 $21,825 - $4,760
1991 $29,428 $21,227 - $6,762
1990 $25,801 $19,912 - $7,448
1989 $25,266 - - -
1988 $25,500 - - -
1987 $21,142 - - -
1986 $17,452 - - -
1985 $11,809 - - -
1984 $11,207 - - -
1983 $10,652 - - -
1982 $9,780 - - -
1981 $10,583 - - -
1980 $9,669 - - -
1979 $9,301 - - -
1978 $9,012 - - -
1977 $6,473 - - -
1976 $5,310 - - -
1975 $4,776 - - -
1974 $4,448 - - -
1973 $4,061 - - -
1972 $3,031 - - -
1971 $2,321 - - -
1970 $2,101 - - -
1969 $1,803 - - -
1968 $1,553 - - -
1967 $1,326 - - -
1966 $1,144 - - -
1965 $994 - - -
1964 $903 - - -
1963 $776 - - -
1962 $685 - - -
1961 $609 - - -
1960 $509 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

Japan's GDP per capita is $32,487, ranking 38/197, compared to $23,409 in Latvia, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Japan Latvia
Gross domestic product
$4.03T
2024
$43.7B
2024
GDP rank
4/197
2024
99/197
2024
GDP growth
0.1%
2023-2024
-0.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,487
2024
$23,409
2024
GDP per capita rank
38/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$9.51T
2024
$20.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
236.1%
2024
46.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$76,704
2024
$10,945
2024
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2024
53/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,653
2026
$17,033
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$6.31T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,732,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
42
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.9%
2020
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2020
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
44.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.74%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.54%
2024
6.88%
2024
Population
122677250
1829763

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.1% 236.1% 44.5% 46.8%
2023 39.2% 240.5% 43.1% 44.6%
2022 41.8% 248.2% 43.5% 44.4%
2021 42.5% 253.7% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 44.5% 258.4% 42.6% 44%
2019 37.3% 236.4% 39% 37.9%
2018 36.7% 232.4% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 36.7% 231.3% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 37.2% 232.4% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 37.3% 228.3% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 38.4% 233.3% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 38.8% 229.5% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 38.6% 226.1% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 38.6% 219.2% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 37.7% 205.9% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 38.7% 198.8% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 34.1% 180.9% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 33.1% 173% 34.8% 9%
2006 33.1% 174.1% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 33.5% 174.6% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 33.7% 169.5% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 35% 160% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 35.4% 154.1% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 35.2% 145.1% 35% 17.8%
2000 36% 135.6% 37% 15.1%
1999 35.6% 129.5% 40.4% 14.8%
1998 38.6% 116% 38.1% 9.81%
1997 33.1% 105% - -
1996 33.8% 98.1% - -
1995 33.4% 92.5% - -
1994 32.8% 84.4% - -
1993 32.1% 72.8% - -
1992 30.3% 66.8% - -
1991 29.3% 62.4% - -
1990 29.5% 63.2% - -
1989 29.2% 65.7% - -
1988 29.9% 71.9% - -
1987 30.6% 75.8% - -
1986 30.4% 74.1% - -
1985 30.4% 68.3% - -
1984 31.2% 65.6% - -
1983 31.8% 63.5% - -
1982 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

In 2024, Japan's government spending was $1.57T, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $19.4B, or 44.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 236.1% in Japan and 46.8% in Latvia, ranking 3/185 and 116/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Latvia
2024 -1.53% -1.82%
2023 -2.26% -3.38%
2022 -4.21% -3.94%
2021 -6.13% -5.71%
2020 -9.08% -3.85%
2019 -3.04% -0.39%
2018 -2.47% -0.77%
2017 -3.1% -0.85%
2016 -3.6% -0.41%
2015 -3.68% -1.57%
2014 -5.62% -1.74%
2013 -7.61% -0.58%
2012 -8.2% 0.18%
2011 -8.99% -3.38%
2010 -9.08% -6.56%
2009 -9.69% -7.14%
2008 -4.11% -3.29%
2007 -2.9% 0.63%
2006 -3.03% -0.48%
2005 -4.44% -1.06%
2004 -5.31% -1.04%
2003 -7.43% -1.67%
2002 -7.34% -2.59%
2001 -6.2% -2.03%
2000 -7.28% -2.57%
1999 -6.75% -3.54%
1998 -10% -0.66%
1997 -3.53% -
1996 -4.87% -
1995 -4.3% -
1994 -3.76% -
1993 -2.39% -
1992 0.57% -
1991 1.67% -
1990 1.96% -
1989 1.23% -
1988 0.49% -
1987 -0.36% -
1986 -1.36% -
1985 -1.37% -
1984 -2.62% -
1983 -3.95% -
1982 -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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

In 2024, Japan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $61.6B, equivalent to 1.53% of GDP. This compares to Latvia's deficit of $797M, or 1.82% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.67% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Latvia
2024 2.74% 1.27%
2023 3.27% 8.94%
2022 2.5% 17.3%
2021 -0.23% 3.28%
2020 -0.02% 0.22%
2019 0.47% 2.81%
2018 0.99% 2.53%
2017 0.48% 2.93%
2016 -0.13% 0.14%
2015 0.8% 0.17%
2014 2.76% 0.62%
2013 0.34% -0.03%
2012 -0.04% 2.26%
2011 -0.27% 4.37%
2010 -0.73% -1.08%
2009 -1.35% 3.53%
2008 1.38% 15.4%
2007 0.06% 10.1%
2006 0.25% 6.54%
2005 -0.28% 6.75%
2004 -0.009% 6.19%
2003 -0.26% 2.94%
2002 -0.92% 1.94%
2001 -0.74% 2.49%
2000 -0.68% 2.65%
1999 -0.34% 2.36%
1998 0.66% 4.64%
1997 1.75% 8.45%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.44%, compared with 4.28% in Latvia. In 2024, inflation was 2.74% in Japan and 1.27% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $7.89M
Miscellaneous $6.96M
Machinery & equipment $5.54M
Metals $4.64M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.62M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.07M
Chemicals & pharma $1.68M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.05M
Wood & paper products $672K
Raw agricultural goods $9K
Latvia
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $31M
Machinery & equipment $12.8M
Raw materials & minerals $10.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.24M
Government & miscellaneous services $4.72M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.14M
Raw agricultural goods $2.84M
Chemicals & pharma $2.83M
Business & finance services $2.22M
Transport & tourism services $2.11M

Balance of trade

Japan Latvia
Current account balance
$194B
2024
-$688M
2024
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2024
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.82%
2024
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$719B
2024
$23.4B
2024
Goods exports
$694B
2024
$20.1B
2024
Service imports
$246B
2024
$5.86B
2024
Service exports
$228B
2024
$8.42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
66.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
65.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Japan Latvia
Economic freedom 70.3 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 31/197
Property rights 94.2 88.8
Government integrity 81.1 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 70.9
Tax burden 63 70.9
Government spending 52 42.7
Fiscal health 41.7 80.8
Business freedom 77.8 80.7
Labor freedom 65.9 60.5
Monetary freedom 74.3 76.3
Trade freedom 76.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Latvia
2026 70.3 71.6
2025 70.2 71.4
2024 67.5 71.5
2023 69.3 72.8
2022 69.9 74.8
2021 74.1 72.3
2020 73.3 71.9
2019 72.1 70.4
2018 72.3 73.6
2017 69.6 74.8
2016 73.1 70.4
2015 73.3 69.7
2014 72.4 68.7
2013 71.8 66.5
2012 71.6 65.2
2011 72.8 65.8
2010 72.9 66.2
2009 72.8 66.6
2008 73 68.3
2007 72.7 67.9
2006 73.3 66.9
2005 67.3 66.3
2004 64.3 67.4
2003 67.6 66
2002 66.7 65
2001 70.9 66.4
2000 70.7 63.4
1999 69.1 64.2
1998 70.2 63.4
1997 70.3 62.4
1996 72.6 55
1995 75 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Latvia
Services, % of GDP
69.8%
2023
64.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2023
18.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.94%
2023
4.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46T
2024
$40.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$55,490
2024
$42,660
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.23T
2024
$5.14B
2024
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2024
98/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$191B
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$16.2B
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$203B
2024
$257M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.2%
2024
20.9%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/latvia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.

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.