If California were a country...

The state's $1.9 trillion economy would be ranked ninth largest in the world, ahead of Russia and behind Italy, according to the Economic Development Corporation of Los Angeles County. That's an impressive factoid, but it's worth noting that for a couple of years in the 80s California was the fifth-largest economy. By 2002, it had fallen to seventh and then eighth and now it's ninth. (China has steadily moved up the ladder and is now ranked second, behind the U.S.) More from this week's Business Update on KPCC:

Julian: And Southern California?

Lacter: It would be the 16th biggest economy, ahead of Indonesia and behind South Korea. L.A. County alone would be in 21st position, ahead of Sweden and behind Saudi Arabia. These are very impressive numbers - and what's even more impressive is that California's current growth rate is running higher than many of the nations on that list, including the U.S. as a whole. Now I know a lot of this might not make sense, considering how we're constantly reminded of how badly the state is doing. And I don't mean to sound like the resident Pollyanna.

Julian: I've never pegged you for that...

Lacter: Thanks - I think. The reality, Steve, is that the state economy always moves: businesses open and close, contracts are won and lost, people get hired and fired. Obviously, many of the recent movements have been uneven, but it would be a mistake to underestimate the resources of California, even in not-so-good times and those rankings are a reflection of that.

Chart below ranks where California, Socal and L.A. County would rank, based on production output

1 United States $15.09 trillion
2 China 7.29
3 Japan 5.87
4 Germany 3.58
5 France 2.78
6 Brazil 2.49
7 United Kingdom 2.42
8 Italy 2.19
California 1.96
9 Russia 1.85
10 Canada 1.74
11 India 1.68
12 Spain 1.49
13 Australia 1.49
14 Mexico 1.15
15 South Korea 1.12
Los Angeles 5-Co. area 903.00
16 Indonesia 845.68
17 Netherlands 840.43
18 Turkey 778.09
19 Switzerland 636.06
20 Saudi Arabia 577.60
Los Angeles County 557.50
21 Sweden 538.24
22 Poland 513.82
23 Belgium 513.40
24 Norway 483.65
25 Iran 482.45