Updated
Overview
Japan has 2.7 times the population of Argentina: 123.37 million people against 45.85 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 6.5 times the size of Argentina's, at $4.44T versus $683.10B.
Per person, Japan is the wealthier of the two: $35,951 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | Argentina | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $683.10B | 2025 | $4.03T / $633.27B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $35,951 | $14,898 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.2% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 219.9% | 2025 / 2024 | 2.7% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 7.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $2,801 | $811 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,207 | $297 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | $5.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 45.85 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 45.42 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 32.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.50 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 77.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 90% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 2,780,400 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 16.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 171 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $4.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 0.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 103,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Argentina is growing much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 1.2%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 3.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 65 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Japan: $2,801 against $811 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Argentina is the far younger society: median age 32.9 versus 49.8 years.
Life expectancy is 6.5 years longer in Japan (84.0 vs 77.5).
Geography
By land area, Japan is 86% smaller than Argentina: 377,930 km² versus 2,780,400 km².
Japan is far more densely settled: 326 people per km² against 16.
Military
Japan spends 13 times as much on defence as Argentina: $55.27B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 103,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than Argentina?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while Argentina covers 2,780,400 km², so Argentina is 7.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or Argentina?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 45.85 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than Argentina?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Japan is richer: $35,951 against $14,898. Total GDP tells the same story: $4.44T for Japan versus $683.10B for Argentina.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or Argentina?
- Japan spends more: $55.27B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).