The invention relates to a balancing shaft for a single-cylinder or multi-cylinder engine having at least one unbalanced weight portion (21, 22; 23, 24) and at least one bearing (16, 17), the at least one unbalanced weight portion (21, 22; 23, 24) being associated with the bearing (16, 17) and the bearing (16, 17) having a radial running face (18) which extends only partially over a periphery of the bearing (16, 17) and a centrifugal force which results during rotation of the balancing shaft (11) is situated within a region of the bearing (16, 17) that is formed by the running face (18) which extends partially over the periphery of the bearing (16, 17), wherein provision is made for at least one supporting surface (51) to extend partially over the periphery of the bearing (16, 17) and to be provided separate from the running surface (18).