Japan is expected to slip to sixth place in the global GDP rankings by 2027, as India and the United Kingdom are projected to surpass it in nominal gross domestic product (GDP), according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF forecasts that Japan’s nominal GDP will stand at $4.34 trillion in 2026 and rise slightly to $4.47 trillion in 2027. However, Japan’s economic standing is being challenged by a weak yen and sluggish growth.
India’s economy shows a more dynamic trajectory, with its nominal GDP anticipated to reach $4.52 trillion by 2027. This growth could elevate India from sixth to fourth place globally, reflecting its expanding economic influence. The IMF attributes India’s robust growth to strong domestic demand and a thriving services sector, predicting a 7% growth rate on a fiscal-year basis for both 2026 and 2027.
The United Kingdom is also forecast to move ahead of Japan, with its GDP expected to hit approximately $4.49 trillion in 2027. The UK economy is projected to grow by 1.3% in 2026 and 1.2% in 2027, indicating a steadier but less rapid expansion compared to India.
Japan has seen its position as a leading global economy diminish over time. Once the world’s second-largest economy, Japan was overtaken by China in 2010 and later by Germany in 2023, placing it in fourth position. The latest IMF projections highlight a shift in the global economic landscape, emphasizing India’s rising economic prominence and the ongoing reconfiguration of the world’s largest economies.