Updated
Overview
Japan has 4.5 times the population of Australia: 123.37 million people against 27.61 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 2.5 times the size of Australia's, at $4.44T versus $1.80T.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $35,951 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $1.80T | 2025 | $4.03T / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.2% | Higher: 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 2.9% | 2025 | 2.7% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 90 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,801 | Higher: $4,436 | 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,207 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 7.8 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 60,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.2% for Japan, 1.4% for Australia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in Japan and 2.9% in Australia.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Japan: a price level of 65 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $2,801 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Australia is the far younger society: median age 38.3 versus 49.8 years.
Internet adoption is higher in Australia (96% vs 86% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Japan is only about 1/20 the size of Australia: 377,930 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
Japan is far more densely settled: 326 people per km² against 4.
Military
Japan spends about 65% more on defence than Australia: $55.27B versus $33.82B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than Australia?
- Australia is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Australia is 20 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or Australia?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $35,951. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.44T for Japan versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or Australia?
- Japan spends more: $55.27B versus $33.82B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).