Updated
Overview
Japan has 10 times the population of Belgium: 123.37 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 6.1 times the size of Belgium's, at $4.44T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $35,951 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $725.47B | 2025 | $4.03T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.2% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 2.7% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,801 | Higher: $7,044 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,207 | Higher: $2,387 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 24,000 | 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, 1.0% for Belgium).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in Japan and 2.5% in Belgium.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Japan: a price level of 65 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $2,801 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Belgium is the younger society: median age 41.9 versus 49.8 years.
Life expectancy is 1.7 years longer in Japan (84.0 vs 82.3).
Internet adoption is higher in Belgium (96% vs 86% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Japan is 12 times the size of Belgium: 377,930 km² versus 30,528 km².
Military
Japan spends 6.5 times as much on defence as Belgium: $55.27B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than Belgium?
- Japan is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Japan is 12 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or Belgium?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $35,951. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.44T for Japan versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or Belgium?
- Japan spends more: $55.27B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).