What is iShares MSCI EAFE ETF's average annual return?

Since 2002, iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has returned about 6.5% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 8.3%.

What were iShares MSCI EAFE ETF's best and worst years?

Over 2002–2026, the best year was 2003 (+39.8%) and the worst was 2008 (-41.1%).

How often is iShares MSCI EAFE ETF up in a year?

17 of the 24 full years since 2002 were positive — about 71% of the time.

EFA

iShares MSCI EAFE ETFETF · International Equity

$104.37+$1.35 (+1.31%)as of market close, Jul 2, 2026

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EFA returns by year

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has returned +6.5% annually (CAGR) since 2002. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) below, through July 2, 2026 — the most recent year is year-to-date.

Annualized (CAGR)

+6.5%

2002–2026

Average year

+8.3%

24 full years

Best year

+39.8%

2003

Worst year

-41.1%

2008

Positive years

17/24

71% up

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF returns by year (2002–2026)#

Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return).

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF annual returns by year
Year	Start price	End price	Dividend	Total return
2026YTD	$96.03	$104.37	+0.0%	+8.7%
2025	$75.61	$96.03	+4.5%	+31.5%
2024	$75.35	$75.61	+3.1%	+3.4%
2023	$65.64	$75.35	+3.5%	+18.3%
2022	$78.68	$65.64	+2.1%	-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	+3.8%	+22.0%
2018	$70.31	$58.78	+2.5%	-13.9%
2017	$57.73	$70.31	+3.2%	+25.0%
2016	$58.72	$57.73	+3.0%	+1.3%
2015	$60.84	$58.72	+2.5%	-1.0%
2014	$67.10	$60.84	+3.1%	-6.3%
2013	$56.86	$67.10	+3.4%	+21.4%
2012	$49.53	$56.86	+3.9%	+18.7%
2011	$58.22	$49.53	+2.7%	-12.3%
2010	$55.28	$58.22	+2.8%	+8.1%
2009	$44.86	$55.28	+3.7%	+26.9%
2008	$78.50	$44.86	+1.8%	-41.1%
2007	$73.22	$78.50	+2.7%	+9.9%
2006	$59.43	$73.22	+2.5%	+25.8%
2005	$53.42	$59.43	+2.0%	+13.3%
2004	$45.59	$53.42	+1.8%	+18.9%
2003	$33.00	$45.59	+1.6%	+39.8%
2002	$39.77	$33.00	+1.6%	-15.4%

Total return by period

-40%-20%+0%+20%+40%

'02'04'06'08'10'12'14'16'18'20'22'24'26

Methodology#

Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from EFA's split- and dividend-adjusted closes. 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. See also the periodic table of returns. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.

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FAQ

What is iShares MSCI EAFE ETF's average annual return?: Since 2002, iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) has returned about 6.5% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 8.3%.
What were iShares MSCI EAFE ETF's best and worst years?: Over 2002–2026, the best year was 2003 (+39.8%) and the worst was 2008 (-41.1%).
How often is iShares MSCI EAFE ETF up in a year?: 17 of the 24 full years since 2002 were positive — about 71% of the time.