Current Account Balance: Japan
Japan's current account balance is currently 3.6 % of GDP as of 2026. # Japan Current Account Balance Japan's current account balance stands at 3.
Current (2026)
3.6 % of GDP
-7.7% y/y
Peak (2024)
4.8 % of GDP
Low (1980)
-1 % of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Current Account Balance — Japan
1980 — 2026
Current Account Balance — Japan
Analysis# Japan Current Account Balance
Japan's current account balance stands at 3.6% of GDP in 2026, reflecting a robust external position. The metric peaked at 4.8% in 2024, the highest level in the dataset, while the all-time low of -1% occurred in 1980. Over the past 46 years, Japan's current account balance has improved dramatically, rising 460% from its 1980 baseline and establishing the country as a consistent surplus economy.
The 2024 peak followed a sharp recovery from 2022's dip to 2.1%, driven by favorable exchange rates and energy dynamics. Recent data suggests moderation through 2026, with the balance declining from 4.8% to a projected 3.9-3.6% range. This pullback likely reflects normalization in energy prices and currency movements rather than fundamental weakness in Japan's export competitiveness or capital flows.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 3.5 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2029 | 3.5 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2028 | 3.5 % of GDP | -2.78% |
| 2027 | 3.6 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2026 | 3.6 % of GDP | -7.69% |
| 2025 | 3.9 % of GDP | -18.75% |
| 2024 | 4.8 % of GDP | +29.73% |
| 2023 | 3.7 % of GDP | +76.19% |
| 2022 | 2.1 % of GDP | -46.15% |
| 2021 | 3.9 % of GDP | +30.00% |
| 2020 | 3 % of GDP | -11.76% |
| 2019 | 3.4 % of GDP | -2.86% |
| 2018 | 3.5 % of GDP | -14.63% |
| 2017 | 4.1 % of GDP | +2.50% |
| 2016 | 4 % of GDP | +29.03% |
| 2015 | 3.1 % of GDP | +287.50% |
| 2014 | 0.8 % of GDP | -11.11% |
| 2013 | 0.9 % of GDP | -10.00% |
| 2012 | 1 % of GDP | -52.38% |
| 2011 | 2.1 % of GDP | -44.74% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3.8 % of GDP | +40.74% |
| 2009 | 2.7 % of GDP | -3.57% |
| 2008 | 2.8 % of GDP | -39.13% |
| 2007 | 4.6 % of GDP | +21.05% |
| 2006 | 3.8 % of GDP | +8.57% |
| 2005 | 3.5 % of GDP | -5.41% |
| 2004 | 3.7 % of GDP | +19.35% |
| 2003 | 3.1 % of GDP | +19.23% |
| 2002 | 2.6 % of GDP | +30.00% |
| 2001 | 2 % of GDP | -23.08% |
| 2000 | 2.6 % of GDP | +4.00% |
| 1999 | 2.5 % of GDP | -10.71% |
| 1998 | 2.8 % of GDP | +33.33% |
| 1997 | 2.1 % of GDP | +50.00% |
| 1996 | 1.4 % of GDP | -30.00% |
| 1995 | 2 % of GDP | -23.08% |
| 1994 | 2.6 % of GDP | -10.34% |
| 1993 | 2.9 % of GDP | +3.57% |
| 1992 | 2.8 % of GDP | +47.37% |
| 1991 | 1.9 % of GDP | +35.71% |
| 1990 | 1.4 % of GDP | -30.00% |
| 1989 | 2 % of GDP | -20.00% |
| 1988 | 2.5 % of GDP | -24.24% |
| 1987 | 3.3 % of GDP | -17.50% |
| 1986 | 4 % of GDP | +14.29% |
| 1985 | 3.5 % of GDP | +34.62% |
| 1984 | 2.6 % of GDP | +62.50% |
| 1983 | 1.6 % of GDP | +166.67% |
| 1982 | 0.6 % of GDP | +50.00% |
| 1981 | 0.4 % of GDP | +140.00% |
| 1980 | -1 % of GDP | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For Japan
Compare Current Account Balance
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data