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China vs Japan GDP
China overtook Japan in 1961. In 1960 Japan stood at roughly 81% of China’s GDP; today the figure is about 23%, and the pair was closest in 2009 (103%).
| Year | China | Japan | Japan as % of China |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 59,846,235,024.73 | 48,417,804,544.93 | 81% |
| 1970 | 92,752,930,873.19 | 221,798,003,144.44 | 239% |
| 1980 | 191,487,500,000 | 1,153,159,955,513.08 | 602% |
| 1990 | 361,560,229,445.51 | 3,252,994,239,867.4 | 900% |
| 2000 | 1,223,754,919,971.05 | 5,042,381,838,343.44 | 412% |
| 2010 | 6,192,564,874,453.29 | 5,811,578,109,447.07 | 94% |
| 2020 | 14,996,414,166,715.1 | 5,189,197,543,645.38 | 35% |
| 2025 | 19,498,039,388,042.6 | 4,435,162,999,976.94 | 23% |
Frequently asked questions
When did China pass Japan in GDP?
In 1961. China’s published GDP rose above Japan’s that year and the lead has held since.
How do China and Japan compare today?
China is ahead: 19,498,039,388,042.6 against 4,435,162,999,976.94 — the trailing economy stands at about 23% of the leader.
Are these GDP figures nominal or adjusted?
They are exactly as the World Bank publishes them — current US$ — with no inflation restatement, no PPP conversion and no interpolation for missing years.
Full series
Every published year for both economies, with charts, downloads and citations: