Skip to content

Economy of Japan vs Marshall Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Japan has a GDP of $4.03T compared to $290M for the Marshall Islands, ranking 4/197 and 193/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.51T in government debt (236.1% of GDP), compared to $38.4M (13.2% of GDP) in the Marshall Islands.

Japan vs Marshall Islands GDP by year

Japan
Marshall Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Marshall Islands
2024 $4,027,597,523,551 $290,108,490
2023 $4,213,167,237,906 $263,761,322
2022 $4,262,463,317,797 $258,723,511
2021 $5,039,148,168,861 $261,245,544
2020 $5,054,068,005,376 $241,800,000
2019 $5,117,993,853,017 $232,900,000
2018 $5,040,880,939,325 $220,000,000
2017 $4,930,837,369,151 $213,700,000
2016 $5,003,677,627,544 $201,800,000
2015 $4,444,930,651,964 $183,700,000
2014 $4,896,994,405,353 $186,000,000
2013 $5,212,328,181,166 $186,400,000
2012 $6,272,362,996,105 $180,700,000
2011 $6,233,147,172,341 $172,300,000
2010 $5,759,071,769,013 $161,100,000
2009 $5,289,493,117,994 $151,200,000
2008 $5,106,679,115,127 $146,600,000
2007 $4,579,750,920,355 $150,500,000
2006 $4,601,663,122,650 $143,200,000
2005 $4,831,467,035,390 $138,000,000
2004 $4,893,116,005,657 $132,900,000
2003 $4,519,561,645,254 $131,128,500
2002 $4,182,846,045,874 $131,960,000
2001 $4,374,711,694,091 $122,406,100
2000 $4,968,359,075,957 $114,838,500
1999 $4,635,982,224,064 $113,352,100
1998 $4,098,362,709,531 $112,070,100
1997 $4,492,448,605,639 $109,884,700
1996 $4,923,391,533,852 $110,858,000
1995 $5,545,563,663,890 $120,230,000
1994 $4,998,797,547,741 $108,071,000
1993 $4,536,940,479,038 $99,461,000
1992 $3,980,702,922,118 $91,063,000
1991 $3,648,065,760,649 $82,507,000
1990 $3,185,904,656,664 $78,476,000
1989 $3,109,455,047,824 $72,798,000
1988 $3,125,724,434,401 $70,688,000
1987 $2,580,748,422,781 $62,983,000
1986 $2,120,083,812,110 $55,989,000
1985 $1,427,019,759,717 $43,879,000
1984 $1,345,824,500,837 $45,144,000
1983 $1,270,859,919,743 $41,749,000
1982 $1,158,731,426,906 $34,918,000
1981 $1,245,221,410,764 $31,020,000
1980 $1,129,377,244,854 $26,710,653
1979 $1,077,910,077,676 $25,545,346
1978 $1,035,611,588,217 $22,209,370
1977 $737,069,290,928 $20,210,069
1976 $598,883,902,156 $18,153,647
1975 $532,861,438,885 $16,691,301
1974 $490,035,789,970 $15,217,532
1973 $441,460,582,536 $11,607,366
1972 $324,933,841,269 $9,973,652
1971 $245,364,056,622 $9,116,810
1970 $217,223,652,719 $8,408,486
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/marshall-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Japan vs Marshall Islands by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Marshall Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Marshall Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,487 $52,039 $7,726 $8,195
2023 $33,836 $50,662 $6,793 $7,549
2022 $34,066 $47,192 $6,456 $7,431
2021 $40,095 $44,355 $6,315 $6,768
2020 $40,029 $42,426 $5,662 $6,137
2019 $40,416 $42,678 $5,292 $6,045
2018 $39,751 $42,142 $4,858 $5,232
2017 $38,834 $41,444 $4,593 $4,719
2016 $39,375 $40,597 $4,230 $4,366
2015 $34,961 $40,899 $3,764 $4,125
2014 $38,475 $39,555 $3,735 $3,931
2013 $40,899 $39,402 $3,678 $3,845
2012 $49,145 $37,606 $3,514 $3,590
2011 $48,760 $36,214 $3,319 $3,537
2010 $44,968 $35,336 $3,095 $3,473
2009 $41,309 $33,543 $2,907 $3,253
2008 $39,876 $35,274 $2,818 $3,118
2007 $35,779 $35,015 $2,892 $3,309
2006 $35,992 $33,632 $2,754 $3,110
2005 $37,813 $32,170 $2,659 $3,017
2004 $38,299 $30,832 $2,566 $2,880
2003 $35,387 $29,392 $2,539 $2,824
2002 $32,821 $28,624 $2,566 $2,825
2001 $34,406 $27,943 $2,394 $2,700
2000 $39,169 $27,288 $2,265 $2,490
1999 $36,610 $25,736 $2,258 $2,400
1998 $32,424 $25,508 $2,254 $2,422
1997 $35,638 $25,619 $2,231 $2,434
1996 $39,150 $24,999 $2,273 $2,583
1995 $44,198 $23,858 $2,491 $2,858
1994 $39,934 $22,823 $2,265 $2,617
1993 $36,345 $22,168 $2,112 $2,452
1992 $31,993 $21,825 $1,963 $2,293
1991 $29,428 $21,227 $1,811 $2,131
1990 $25,801 $19,912 $1,758 $2,102
1989 $25,266 - $1,670 -
1988 $25,500 - $1,670 -
1987 $21,142 - $1,543 -
1986 $17,452 - $1,425 -
1985 $11,809 - $1,162 -
1984 $11,207 - $1,245 -
1983 $10,652 - $1,199 -
1982 $9,780 - $1,046 -
1981 $10,583 - $969 -
1980 $9,669 - $868 -
1979 $9,301 - $859 -
1978 $9,012 - $771 -
1977 $6,473 - $724 -
1976 $5,310 - $672 -
1975 $4,776 - $638 -
1974 $4,448 - $602 -
1973 $4,061 - $472 -
1972 $3,031 - $416 -
1971 $2,321 - $390 -
1970 $2,101 - $373 -
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/marshall-islands | CC BY

Japan's GDP per capita is $32,487, ranking 38/197, compared to $7,726 in the Marshall Islands, ranking 96/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while the Marshall Islands ranks 139th at $8,195.

Economic indicators

Japan Marshall Islands
Gross domestic product
$4.03T
2024
$290M
2024
GDP rank
4/197
2024
193/197
2024
GDP growth
0.1%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$32,487
2024
$7,726
2024
GDP per capita rank
38/197
2024
96/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$8,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
139/197
2024
Government debt
$9.51T
2024
$38.4M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
236.1%
2024
13.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$76,704
2024
$1,022
2024
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2024
142/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,653
2026
$5,044
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
27.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2020
2.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
71.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.74%
2023-2024
5.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.54%
2024
9.82%
2021
Population
122677250
35058

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Marshall Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Marshall Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.1% 236.1% 71.6% 13.2%
2023 39.2% 240.5% 68.4% 18.2%
2022 41.8% 248.2% 67.7% 19.8%
2021 42.5% 253.7% 69.8% 20.1%
2020 44.5% 258.4% 67.8% 21.7%
2019 37.3% 236.4% 65.5% 25.1%
2018 36.7% 232.4% 60.5% 24.7%
2017 36.7% 231.3% 63.7% 26.5%
2016 37.2% 232.4% 56.8% 29.2%
2015 37.3% 228.3% 56.3% 33.9%
2014 38.4% 233.3% 49.2% 34.9%
2013 38.8% 229.5% 55% 33.4%
2012 38.6% 226.1% 53.2% 37.6%
2011 38.6% 219.2% 55.9% 35.9%
2010 37.7% 205.9% 59.2% 38.8%
2009 38.7% 198.8% 63.1% 41.2%
2008 34.1% 180.9% 64.3% 44.1%
2007 33.1% 173% 67.2% 42.2%
2006 33.1% 174.1% 61.2% 44.4%
2005 33.5% 174.6% 85.3% 45.8%
2004 33.7% 169.5% 54.5% 46.8%
2003 35% 160% 52.9% 43.7%
2002 35.4% 154.1% 55.2% 37.2%
2001 35.2% 145.1% 58.8% 32.7%
2000 36% 135.6% 56.5% 27.3%
1999 35.6% 129.5% 48.7% 26.1%
1998 38.6% 116% 50.5% 18.1%
1997 33.1% 105% 55% 8.73%
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/marshall-islands | CC BY

In 2024, Japan's government spending was $1.57T, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while the Marshall Islands spent $208M, or 71.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 236.1% in Japan and 13.2% in the Marshall Islands, ranking 3/185 and 179/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Marshall Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Marshall Islands
2024 -1.53% 3.61%
2023 -2.26% 1.14%
2022 -4.21% 0.68%
2021 -6.13% 0.18%
2020 -9.08% 2.54%
2019 -3.04% -1.8%
2018 -2.47% 2.55%
2017 -3.1% 4.38%
2016 -3.6% 3.88%
2015 -3.68% 2.81%
2014 -5.62% 3.2%
2013 -7.61% -0.23%
2012 -8.2% -0.76%
2011 -8.99% 2.13%
2010 -9.08% 3.51%
2009 -9.69% 1.51%
2008 -4.11% 3.68%
2007 -2.9% 0.27%
2006 -3.03% 0.24%
2005 -4.44% -22.3%
2004 -5.31% -1.6%
2003 -7.43% 10.5%
2002 -7.34% 5.12%
2001 -6.2% 7.83%
2000 -7.28% 7.84%
1999 -6.75% 9.01%
1998 -10% 13.5%
1997 -3.53% 7.91%
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/marshall-islands | 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 the Marshall Islands' surplus of $10.5M, or 3.61% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while the Marshall Islands ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.59% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.55% of GDP for the Marshall Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Marshall Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Marshall Islands
2024 2.74% 5.2%
2023 3.27% 7.4%
2022 2.5% 2.8%
2021 -0.23% 2.2%
2020 -0.02% -0.7%
2019 0.47% -0.1%
2018 0.99% 0.8%
2017 0.48% 0.1%
2016 -0.13% -1.5%
2015 0.8% -2.2%
2014 2.76% 1.1%
2013 0.34% 1.9%
2012 -0.04% 4.3%
2011 -0.27% 5.4%
2010 -0.73% 1.8%
2009 -1.35% 0.5%
2008 1.38% 14.7%
2007 0.06% 2.6%
2006 0.25% 5.3%
2005 -0.28% 3.5%
2004 -0.009% 2%
2003 -0.26% -
2002 -0.92% -
2001 -0.74% -
2000 -0.68% -
1999 -0.34% -
1998 0.66% -
1997 1.75% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/japan/marshall-islands | CC BY

Over the past 21 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.62%, compared with 2.72% in the Marshall Islands. In 2024, inflation was 2.74% in Japan and 5.2% in the Marshall Islands.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.26B
Raw materials & minerals $4.17M
Miscellaneous $2.48M
Metals $2.09M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.51M
Chemicals & pharma $930K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $503K
Wood & paper products $93K
Precious metals & jewellery $42K
Animal & marine products $7K
Marshall Islands
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $17.9M
Animal & marine products $693K
Raw materials & minerals $89K
Metals $21K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21K
Machinery & equipment $11K

Balance of trade

Japan Marshall Islands
Current account balance
$194B
2024
$76.3M
2021
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2024
70/190
2021
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.82%
2024
+29.2%
2021
Goods imports
$719B
2024
$133M
2021
Goods exports
$694B
2024
$121M
2021
Service imports
$246B
2024
$73.1M
2021
Service exports
$228B
2024
$9.44M
2021
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
81.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
42.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Marshall Islands
Economic freedom 70.3 58
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 113/197
Property rights 94.2 n/a
Government integrity 81.1 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 n/a
Tax burden 63 n/a
Government spending 52 n/a
Fiscal health 41.7 n/a
Business freedom 77.8 n/a
Labor freedom 65.9 n/a
Monetary freedom 74.3 n/a
Trade freedom 76.2 n/a
Investment freedom 60 n/a
Financial freedom 60 n/a

Other economic metrics

Japan Marshall Islands
Services, % of GDP
69.8%
2023
67%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2023
13.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.94%
2023
19.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46T
2024
$319M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$55,490
2024
$9,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.23T
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$191B
2024
-$499K
2021
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$16.2B
2024
$1.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$203B
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
7.2%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.2%
2024
20.7%
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/marshall-islands | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  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.