MSCI EAFE returns by year
MSCI EAFE has returned +6.7% annually (CAGR) since 2002. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for the MSCI EAFE (proxied by EFA, dividends reinvested) below, through September 4, 2026 — the most recent year is Through September 4, 2026; the running year is MSCI EAFE year-to-date.
- Annualized
- +6.7%
- 2002–2026
- Average year
- +8.3%
- 24 full years
- Best year
- +39.8%
- 2003
- Worst year
- -41.0%
- 2008
- Positive years
- 17/24
- 71% up
MSCI EAFE returns by year (2002–2026)#
Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return). Every year has a direct link you can bookmark or share.
| Year | Start price | End price | Path | Dividend | Total return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | $96.03 | $108.36 | chart → | +1.8% | +14.6% |
| 2025 | $75.61 | $96.03 | +4.5% | +31.5% | |
| 2024 | $75.35 | $75.61 | +3.1% | +3.5% | |
| 2023 | $65.64 | $75.35 | +3.6% | +18.4% | |
| 2022 | $78.68 | $65.64 | +2.2% | -14.4% | |
| 2021 | $72.96 | $78.68 | +3.6% | +11.4% | |
| 2020 | $69.44 | $72.96 | +2.5% | +7.6% | |
| 2019 | $58.78 | $69.44 | +3.9% | +22.0% | |
| 2018 | $70.31 | $58.78 | +2.6% | -13.8% | |
| 2017 | $57.73 | $70.31 | +3.3% | +25.1% | |
| 2016 | $58.72 | $57.73 | +3.1% | +1.4% | |
| 2015 | $60.84 | $58.72 | +2.5% | -1.0% | |
| 2014 | $67.1 | $60.84 | +3.1% | -6.2% | |
| 2013 | $56.86 | $67.1 | +3.4% | +21.4% | |
| 2012 | $49.53 | $56.86 | +4.0% | +18.8% | |
| 2011 | $58.22 | $49.53 | +2.7% | -12.2% | |
| 2010 | $55.28 | $58.22 | +2.9% | +8.2% | |
| 2009 | $44.86 | $55.28 | +3.8% | +27.0% | |
| 2008 | $78.5 | $44.86 | +1.8% | -41.0% | |
| 2007 | $73.22 | $78.5 | +2.7% | +10.0% | |
| 2006 | $59.43 | $73.22 | +2.6% | +25.8% | |
| 2005 | $53.42 | $59.43 | +2.1% | +13.3% | |
| 2004 | $45.59 | $53.42 | +1.8% | +19.0% | |
| 2003 | $33 | $45.59 | +1.6% | +39.8% | |
| 2002 | $39.77 | $33 | +1.6% | -15.4% |
Total return by period#
Methodology#
Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from EFA's split- and dividend-adjusted closes — a standard proxy for the MSCI EAFE. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
FAQ#
- What is MSCI EAFE's average annual return?
- Since 2002, the MSCI EAFE (proxied by EFA, dividends reinvested) has returned about 6.7% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 8.3%.
- What were MSCI EAFE's best and worst years?
- Over 2002–2026, the best year was 2003 (+39.8%) and the worst was 2008 (-41.0%).
- How often is MSCI EAFE up in a year?
- 17 of the 24 full years since 2002 were positive — about 71% of the time.
More on MSCI EAFE
- Monthly returns+0.8%
- Weekly returns+0.6%
- Trailing returns+22.6%
- YTD return+14.6%
- Drawdown from high−0.4%