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Economy of Japan vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Japan has a GDP of $4.44T compared to $1.04T for Poland, ranking 4/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.16T in government debt (206.5% of GDP), compared to $609B (58.8% of GDP) in Poland.

Japan vs Poland GDP by year

Japan
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Poland
2025 $4,435,162,999,977 $1,035,491,784,197
2024 $4,190,008,188,359 $917,767,106,147
2023 $4,384,854,269,962 $812,451,193,396
2022 $4,447,976,207,315 $695,607,470,875
2021 $5,225,933,520,753 $689,170,230,665
2020 $5,189,197,543,645 $605,914,237,904
2019 $5,245,755,000,479 $602,683,770,145
2018 $5,154,293,721,630 $594,616,632,477
2017 $5,038,231,631,661 $528,356,723,263
2016 $5,110,357,383,254 $473,259,623,976
2015 $4,534,438,580,495 $480,054,118,583
2014 $4,985,763,289,561 $542,134,167,179
2013 $5,272,297,037,397 $518,179,836,405
2012 $6,333,803,928,788 $498,148,649,703
2011 $6,279,422,550,219 $527,848,543,023
2010 $5,811,578,109,447 $478,111,630,684
2009 $5,336,765,697,589 $440,891,472,247
2008 $5,160,197,175,876 $535,612,030,672
2007 $4,624,670,179,655 $429,715,132,138
2006 $4,648,058,930,707 $345,897,630,736
2005 $4,875,648,486,366 $306,999,913,151
2004 $4,941,485,123,807 $256,268,656,145
2003 $4,573,413,206,709 $218,561,225,998
2002 $4,245,946,980,572 $199,694,463,256
2001 $4,438,792,748,062 $191,823,200,371
2000 $5,042,381,838,343 $172,953,527,033
1999 $4,688,983,449,627 $170,704,452,715
1998 $4,150,359,076,370 $175,282,269,667
1997 $4,579,780,793,432 $159,893,964,917
1996 $5,021,441,618,840 $160,813,026,223
1995 $5,639,649,753,986 $142,838,527,115
1994 $5,104,063,486,348 $110,803,635,288
1993 $4,632,480,515,091 $96,043,157,273
1992 $4,064,529,567,505 $94,337,050,693
1991 $3,724,887,648,862 $85,500,935,935
1990 $3,252,994,239,867 $65,977,748,211
1989 $3,174,934,735,896 -
1988 $3,191,546,727,316 -
1987 $2,635,094,473,494 -
1986 $2,164,729,071,349 -
1985 $1,457,070,301,468 -
1984 $1,374,165,212,365 -
1983 $1,297,622,008,229 -
1982 $1,183,132,285,328 -
1981 $1,271,443,597,067 -
1980 $1,153,159,955,513 -
1979 $1,100,608,979,757 -
1978 $1,057,419,758,047 -
1977 $752,590,681,822 -
1976 $611,495,350,304 -
1975 $544,082,569,364 -
1974 $500,355,087,138 -
1973 $450,756,970,744 -
1972 $331,776,379,992 -
1971 $250,530,994,765 -
1970 $221,798,003,144 -
1969 $188,179,852,753 -
1968 $160,201,483,788 -
1967 $135,265,319,098 -
1966 $115,427,351,851 -
1965 $99,387,878,008 -
1964 $89,332,989,729 -
1963 $75,945,582,324 -
1962 $66,356,388,224 -
1961 $58,472,696,006 -
1960 $48,417,804,545 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Japan vs Poland by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $35,951 - $28,420 -
2024 $33,797 $52,039 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $35,215 $50,662 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $35,548 $47,192 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $41,581 $44,355 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $41,099 $42,426 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $41,425 $42,678 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $40,645 $42,142 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $39,680 $41,444 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $40,215 $40,597 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $35,665 $40,899 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $39,173 $39,555 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $41,369 $39,402 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $49,627 $37,606 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $49,122 $36,214 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $45,378 $35,336 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $41,678 $33,543 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $40,294 $35,274 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $36,130 $35,015 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $36,354 $33,632 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $38,159 $32,170 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $38,678 $30,832 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $35,809 $29,392 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $33,316 $28,624 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $34,910 $27,943 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $39,753 $27,288 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $37,029 $25,736 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $32,835 $25,508 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $36,331 $25,619 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $39,930 $24,999 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $44,947 $23,858 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $40,774 $22,823 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $37,111 $22,168 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $32,667 $21,825 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $30,048 $21,227 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $26,345 $19,912 $1,731 $6,185
1989 $25,798 - - -
1988 $26,037 - - -
1987 $21,587 - - -
1986 $17,819 - - -
1985 $12,058 - - -
1984 $11,443 - - -
1983 $10,876 - - -
1982 $9,986 - - -
1981 $10,806 - - -
1980 $9,872 - - -
1979 $9,497 - - -
1978 $9,202 - - -
1977 $6,609 - - -
1976 $5,422 - - -
1975 $4,876 - - -
1974 $4,542 - - -
1973 $4,147 - - -
1972 $3,095 - - -
1971 $2,370 - - -
1970 $2,145 - - -
1969 $1,841 - - -
1968 $1,586 - - -
1967 $1,354 - - -
1966 $1,168 - - -
1965 $1,015 - - -
1964 $922 - - -
1963 $792 - - -
1962 $699 - - -
1961 $622 - - -
1960 $519 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Japan's GDP per capita is $35,951, ranking 34/197, compared to $28,420 in Poland, ranking 47/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Japan Poland
Gross domestic product
$4.44T
2025
$1.04T
2025
GDP rank
4/197
2025
21/197
2025
GDP growth
1.19%
2024-2025
3.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$35,951
2025
$28,420
2025
GDP per capita rank
34/197
2025
47/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$9.16T
2025
$609B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
206.5%
2025
58.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$74,248
2025
$16,712
2025
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2025
39/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,962
2026
$20,616
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.61T
2025
$316B
2025
Number of millionaires
2,902,000
2026
101,000
2026
Number of billionaires
41
2026
10
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.3%
2020
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2020
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.9%
2025
50%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.17%
2024-2025
3.81%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
3.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
2.5%
2025
3.02%
2025
Population
122704252
36007074

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 36.9% 206.5% 50% 58.8%
2024 37.3% 214.5% 49.4% 55.1%
2023 37.8% 220.3% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 40.2% 227.8% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 41.3% 222.7% 43.6% 53%
2020 43.6% 228.8% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 36.4% 206.3% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 36% 203.7% 41% 48.2%
2017 35.9% 203.1% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 36.5% 202.1% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 36.6% 200.1% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 37.8% 203.6% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 38.4% 201.2% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 38.4% 197.1% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 38.4% 190.6% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 37.4% 178.6% 46% 53.7%
2009 38.3% 172.9% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 33.7% 153.6% 44% 46.6%
2007 32.8% 150.4% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 32.7% 152.1% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 33.2% 153.4% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 33.3% 148.8% 43.4% 45%
2003 34.6% 140.2% 45.3% 46.2%
2002 34.9% 134.6% 44.9% 41.4%
2001 34.7% 126.8% 44.6% 37%
2000 35.4% 118.5% 42.9% 36.3%
1999 35.2% 113.5% 42.4% 39.2%
1998 38.1% 101.6% 43.9% 38.6%
1997 32.4% 91.3% 46% 42.6%
1996 33.1% 85.3% 50.6% 43%
1995 32.8% 80.7% 47.3% 48.6%
1994 32.1% 73.3% - 64.3%
1993 31.4% 63.2% - 83.9%
1992 29.6% 57.9% - 81.9%
1991 28.6% 54.1% - 76.9%
1990 28.8% 54.8% - 89.7%
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% 35.6% -
1978 32.1% 39% 35.8% -
1977 30.4% 31.1% 35.6% -
1976 29.1% 26.1% 34.8% -
1975 28.5% 20.9% 34.1% -
1974 25.5% 16.7% 28.6% -
1973 23.3% 15.9% 24.5% -
1972 23.1% 16.3% 24.1% -
1971 21.8% 12.6% 24.1% -
1970 20.2% 11.2% 25.8% -
1969 19.8% 11.4% 26.3% -
1968 20.1% 11.8% 27.3% -
1967 19.9% 11.4% 29.6% -
1966 20.8% 11.2% 31.7% -
1965 20.4% 9.78% 31.8% -
1964 19.8% 8.53% 33.5% -
1963 20% 8.66% 33.3% -
1962 19.4% 9.01% 43% -
1961 18.2% 8.44% 42.8% -
1960 18.4% 10.4% 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Japan's government spending was $1.63T, accounting for 36.9% of its GDP, while Poland spent $517B, or 50% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 206.5% in Japan and 58.8% in Poland, ranking 3/185 and 81/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Poland
2025 -1.05% -7.01%
2024 -1.67% -6.48%
2023 -2.39% -5.2%
2022 -4.23% -3.37%
2021 -6.32% -1.68%
2020 -9.04% -6.85%
2019 -3.05% -0.73%
2018 -2.44% -0.24%
2017 -3.05% -1.49%
2016 -3.58% -2.38%
2015 -3.64% -2.59%
2014 -5.58% -3.66%
2013 -7.62% -4.25%
2012 -8.22% -3.8%
2011 -9.02% -4.97%
2010 -9.05% -7.43%
2009 -9.62% -7.24%
2008 -4.07% -3.6%
2007 -2.86% -1.88%
2006 -3% -3.53%
2005 -4.39% -3.93%
2004 -5.26% -5%
2003 -7.35% -6%
2002 -7.22% -4.79%
2001 -6.11% -4.71%
2000 -7.17% -3.98%
1999 -6.68% -2.29%
1998 -9.91% -4.24%
1997 -3.44% -4.59%
1996 -4.75% -4.82%
1995 -4.22% -4.38%
1994 -3.7% -
1993 -2.34% -
1992 0.56% -
1991 1.64% -
1990 1.91% -
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Japan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $46.7B, equivalent to 1.05% of GDP. This compares to Poland's deficit of $72.6B, or 7.01% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.1% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Poland
2025 3.17% 3.81%
2024 2.74% 3.79%
2023 3.27% 11.5%
2022 2.5% 14.4%
2021 -0.23% 5.06%
2020 -0.02% 3.37%
2019 0.47% 2.23%
2018 0.99% 1.81%
2017 0.48% 2.08%
2016 -0.13% -0.66%
2015 0.8% -0.87%
2014 2.76% 0.05%
2013 0.34% 0.99%
2012 -0.04% 3.56%
2011 -0.27% 4.24%
2010 -0.73% 2.58%
2009 -1.35% 3.8%
2008 1.38% 4.16%
2007 0.06% 2.46%
2006 0.25% 1.28%
2005 -0.28% 2.18%
2004 -0.009% 3.38%
2003 -0.26% 0.68%
2002 -0.92% 1.91%
2001 -0.74% 5.41%
2000 -0.68% 9.9%
1999 -0.34% 7.15%
1998 0.66% 11.6%
1997 1.75% 14.9%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.54%, compared with 4.37% in Poland. In 2025, inflation was 3.17% in Japan and 3.81% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.11B
Raw materials & minerals $160M
Textiles & consumer goods $158M
Miscellaneous $152M
Chemicals & pharma $142M
Metals $131M
Precious metals & jewellery $17.5M
Wood & paper products $10.7M
Raw agricultural goods $8.73M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.32M
Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $578M
Transport & tourism services $113M
Textiles & consumer goods $86M
IT & IP services $75.8M
Metals $75.4M
Chemicals & pharma $69.9M
Business & finance services $66.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $40.6M
Animal & marine products $38.6M
Raw materials & minerals $17.4M

Balance of trade

Japan Poland
Current account balance
$216B
2025
-$9.05B
2025
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2025
172/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.86%
2025
-0.87%
2025
Goods imports
$729B
2025
$406B
2025
Goods exports
$725B
2025
$390B
2025
Service imports
$269B
2025
$86.5B
2025
Service exports
$246B
2025
$131B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.9%
2024
47.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22%
2024
50%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Poland
Economic freedom 70.3 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 46/197
Property rights 94.2 71.8
Government integrity 81.1 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 62.5
Tax burden 63 72.7
Government spending 52 35.1
Fiscal health 41.7 74.8
Business freedom 77.8 77.5
Labor freedom 65.9 53.7
Monetary freedom 74.3 73.8
Trade freedom 76.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Poland
2026 70.3 68.5
2025 70.2 67.1
2024 67.5 66
2023 69.3 67.7
2022 69.9 68.7
2021 74.1 69.7
2020 73.3 69.1
2019 72.1 67.8
2018 72.3 68.5
2017 69.6 68.3
2016 73.1 69.3
2015 73.3 68.6
2014 72.4 67
2013 71.8 66
2012 71.6 64.2
2011 72.8 64.1
2010 72.9 63.2
2009 72.8 60.3
2008 73 60.3
2007 72.7 58.1
2006 73.3 59.3
2005 67.3 59.6
2004 64.3 58.7
2003 67.6 61.8
2002 66.7 65
2001 70.9 61.8
2000 70.7 60
1999 69.1 59.6
1998 70.2 59.2
1997 70.3 56.8
1996 72.6 57.8
1995 75 50.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Poland
Services, % of GDP
71.4%
2024
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
25.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.96%
2024
2.45%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.73T
2025
$930B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$58,920
2025
$52,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.37T
2025
$272B
2025
Total reserves ranking
3/177
2025
16/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$172B
2025
-$11.7B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.9B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$207B
2024
$10B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.7%
2024
17.9%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

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/japan/poland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
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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.