A balance shaft includes an unbalanced shaft (3) comprising a bearing journal (8, 9), the periphery of which is merely partially cylindrical. The cylindrical partial periphery (10) of the bearing journal is oriented toward the shaft imbalance. The balance shaft also includes a needle roller cage assembly (15); and a bearing ring (13), which extends around the bearing journal, lies against the cylindrical partial periphery and forms the inner raceway of the needle roller cage assembly. The cage (27) of the needle roller cage assembly is designed to run on the end faces of the bearing ring axially on both sides by means of radially inwardly extending projections.