BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — California boasts the fourth largest economy in the world, but a significant portion of that economic power comes from right here in Kern County through our oil and agriculture industries.

When comparing each country's gross domestic product, or GDP, per capita, which evaluates the size of an economy, the United States is first with more than $27 trillion, second is China, Germany is third, and Japan is ranked fourth.

"If California were a country, it would be the fourth largest, but then California's GDP is included in the U.S.," said Aaron Hegde, a professor of economics at CSUB.

Hegde explains the Golden State has a GDP of roughly $4.5 trillion, with Kern County contributing about $60 billion.

"So about one and a half to two percent of California's GDP.

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