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Economy of Japan vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Japan has a GDP of $4.03T compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 4/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Japan has $9.51T in government debt (236.1% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Japan vs Yemen GDP by year

Japan
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Japan Yemen
2024 $4,027,597,523,551 -
2023 $4,213,167,237,906 -
2022 $4,262,463,317,797 -
2021 $5,039,148,168,861 -
2020 $5,054,068,005,376 -
2019 $5,117,993,853,017 -
2018 $5,040,880,939,325 $21,606,160,663
2017 $4,930,837,369,151 $26,842,229,045
2016 $5,003,677,627,544 $31,317,825,274
2015 $4,444,930,651,964 $42,444,490,074
2014 $4,896,994,405,353 $43,228,585,321
2013 $5,212,328,181,166 $40,415,233,436
2012 $6,272,362,996,105 $35,401,331,610
2011 $6,233,147,172,341 $32,726,417,878
2010 $5,759,071,769,013 $30,906,749,533
2009 $5,289,493,117,994 $25,130,278,213
2008 $5,106,679,115,127 $26,910,855,807
2007 $4,579,750,920,355 $21,650,528,674
2006 $4,601,663,122,650 $19,063,143,370
2005 $4,831,467,035,390 $16,731,566,717
2004 $4,893,116,005,657 $13,867,634,371
2003 $4,519,561,645,254 $11,777,532,662
2002 $4,182,846,045,874 $10,693,430,511
2001 $4,374,711,694,091 $9,852,990,693
2000 $4,968,359,075,957 $9,679,316,770
1999 $4,635,982,224,064 $7,639,325,296
1998 $4,098,362,709,531 $6,322,175,566
1997 $4,492,448,605,639 $6,838,298,531
1996 $4,923,391,533,852 $6,496,163,616
1995 $5,545,563,663,890 $12,796,345,679
1994 $4,998,797,547,741 $28,019,483,764
1993 $4,536,940,479,038 $21,736,802,664
1992 $3,980,702,922,118 $17,959,367,194
1991 $3,648,065,760,649 $14,665,445,462
1990 $3,185,904,656,664 $12,643,821,569
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/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Japan vs Yemen by year

Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Japan Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $32,487 $52,039 - -
2023 $33,836 $50,662 - -
2022 $34,066 $47,192 - -
2021 $40,095 $44,355 - -
2020 $40,029 $42,426 - -
2019 $40,416 $42,678 - -
2018 $39,751 $42,142 $634 -
2017 $38,834 $41,444 $811 -
2016 $39,375 $40,597 $975 -
2015 $34,961 $40,899 $1,362 -
2014 $38,475 $39,555 $1,430 -
2013 $40,899 $39,402 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $49,145 $37,606 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $48,760 $36,214 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $44,968 $35,336 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $41,309 $33,543 $969 $3,411
2008 $39,876 $35,274 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $35,779 $35,015 $890 $3,294
2006 $35,992 $33,632 $810 $3,205
2005 $37,813 $32,170 $734 $3,113
2004 $38,299 $30,832 $628 $2,949
2003 $35,387 $29,392 $549 $2,844
2002 $32,821 $28,624 $513 $2,768
2001 $34,406 $27,943 $487 $2,702
2000 $39,169 $27,288 $493 $2,624
1999 $36,610 $25,736 $401 $2,492
1998 $32,424 $25,508 $343 $2,442
1997 $35,638 $25,619 $383 $2,351
1996 $39,150 $24,999 $375 $2,268
1995 $44,198 $23,858 $764 $2,201
1994 $39,934 $22,823 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $36,345 $22,168 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $31,993 $21,825 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $29,428 $21,227 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $25,801 $19,912 $910 $1,742
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/yemen | CC BY

Japan's GDP per capita is $32,487, ranking 38/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Japan ranks 41st at $52,039, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Japan Yemen
Gross domestic product
$4.03T
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
4/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
0.1%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$32,487
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
38/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$52,039
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
41/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$9.51T
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
236.1%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$76,704
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
3/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,653
2026
$1,127
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
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2020
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.74%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.54%
2024
13.5%
2014
Population
122677250
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Japan
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Japan Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.1% 236.1% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 39.2% 240.5% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 41.8% 248.2% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 42.5% 253.7% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 44.5% 258.4% 10.6% 87%
2019 37.3% 236.4% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 36.7% 232.4% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 36.7% 231.3% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 37.2% 232.4% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 37.3% 228.3% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 38.4% 233.3% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 38.8% 229.5% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 38.6% 226.1% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 38.6% 219.2% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 37.7% 205.9% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 38.7% 198.8% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 34.1% 180.9% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 33.1% 173% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 33.1% 174.1% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 33.5% 174.6% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 33.7% 169.5% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 35% 160% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 35.4% 154.1% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 35.2% 145.1% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 36% 135.6% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 35.6% 129.5% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 38.6% 116% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 33.1% 105% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 33.8% 98.1% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 33.4% 92.5% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 32.8% 84.4% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 32.1% 72.8% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 30.3% 66.8% 24.6% 78%
1991 29.3% 62.4% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 29.5% 63.2% 26.6% 91.6%
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 (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Japan's government spending was $1.57T, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 236.1% in Japan and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 3/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Japan

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Japan Yemen
2024 -1.53% -2.48%
2023 -2.26% -5.63%
2022 -4.21% -2.15%
2021 -6.13% -0.89%
2020 -9.08% -4.3%
2019 -3.04% -5.89%
2018 -2.47% -7.85%
2017 -3.1% -4.9%
2016 -3.6% -8.51%
2015 -3.68% -8.75%
2014 -5.62% -4.14%
2013 -7.61% -6.9%
2012 -8.2% -6.32%
2011 -8.99% -4.51%
2010 -9.08% -4.06%
2009 -9.69% -10.2%
2008 -4.11% -4.53%
2007 -2.9% -7.18%
2006 -3.03% 1.19%
2005 -4.44% -1.82%
2004 -5.31% -2.15%
2003 -7.43% -4.2%
2002 -7.34% -0.56%
2001 -6.2% 2.79%
2000 -7.28% 6.09%
1999 -6.75% 0.06%
1998 -10% -7.77%
1997 -3.53% -1.5%
1996 -4.87% -0.92%
1995 -4.3% -5.74%
1994 -3.76% -14%
1993 -2.39% -12.8%
1992 0.57% -10.9%
1991 1.67% -5.76%
1990 1.96% -10.3%
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/yemen | CC BY

In 2018, Japan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $125B, equivalent to 2.47% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Japan recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Japan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Japan

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Japan Yemen
2024 2.74% 33.9%
2023 3.27% 0.9%
2022 2.5% 29.5%
2021 -0.23% 31.5%
2020 -0.02% 21.7%
2019 0.47% 15.7%
2018 0.99% 33.6%
2017 0.48% 30.4%
2016 -0.13% 21.3%
2015 0.8% 22%
2014 2.76% 8.2%
2013 0.34% 11%
2012 -0.04% 9.9%
2011 -0.27% 19.5%
2010 -0.73% 11.2%
2009 -1.35% 3.7%
2008 1.38% 19%
2007 0.06% 7.9%
2006 0.25% 10.8%
2005 -0.28% 9.9%
2004 -0.009% 12.5%
2003 -0.26% 10.8%
2002 -0.92% 12.2%
2001 -0.74% 11.9%
2000 -0.68% 11%
1999 -0.34% 7.9%
1998 0.66% 11.5%
1997 1.75% 4.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Japan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 0.44%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 2.74% in Japan and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $241M
Raw materials & minerals $15.6M
Miscellaneous $6.28M
Metals $4.46M
Chemicals & pharma $4.14M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.22M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $836K
Raw agricultural goods $41K
Wood & paper products $28K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $26.6M
Raw agricultural goods $1.21M

Balance of trade

Japan Yemen
Current account balance
$194B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
3/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.82%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$719B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$694B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$246B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$228B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Japan Yemen
Economic freedom 70.3 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 36/197 138/197
Property rights 94.2 3.5
Government integrity 81.1 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 97.9 9.9
Tax burden 63 93.7
Government spending 52 0
Fiscal health 41.7 71.2
Business freedom 77.8 31.3
Labor freedom 65.9 31.2
Monetary freedom 74.3 48.1
Trade freedom 76.2 67.4
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Japan
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Japan Yemen
2026 70.3 -
2025 70.2 -
2024 67.5 -
2023 69.3 -
2022 69.9 -
2021 74.1 -
2020 73.3 -
2019 72.1 -
2018 72.3 -
2017 69.6 -
2016 73.1 -
2015 73.3 53.7
2014 72.4 55.5
2013 71.8 55.9
2012 71.6 55.3
2011 72.8 54.2
2010 72.9 54.4
2009 72.8 56.9
2008 73 53.8
2007 72.7 54.1
2006 73.3 52.6
2005 67.3 53.8
2004 64.3 50.5
2003 67.6 50.3
2002 66.7 48.6
2001 70.9 44.3
2000 70.7 44.5
1999 69.1 43.3
1998 70.2 46.1
1997 70.3 48.4
1996 72.6 49.6
1995 75 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Japan is 70.3, ranking 36/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Japan Yemen
Services, % of GDP
69.8%
2023
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2023
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.94%
2023
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46T
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$55,490
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$1.23T
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
2/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$191B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$16.2B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$203B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2020
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.2%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1998, 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 (2015–2024, 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.

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.