Updated
Overview
Japan has about 80% more people than France: 123.37 million against 68.72 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 32% larger than France's, at $4.44T versus $3.37T.
Per person, France is the wealthier of the two: $48,986 against $35,951 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | France | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $3.37T | 2025 | $4.03T / $3.16T |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 | Higher: $48,986 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.2% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 2.7% / 2.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 7.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 77 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,801 | Higher: $5,024 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,207 | Higher: $2,036 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 68.72 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 68.51 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 42.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 643,801 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 106.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 264 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 4.0 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $64.68B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 304,000 | 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, 0.8% for France).
Japan runs the hotter price environment: 3.2% inflation versus 0.9%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Japan: a price level of 65 versus 77 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour France: $5,024 against $2,801 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
France is the younger society: median age 42.3 versus 49.8 years.
Life expectancy is 1.1 years longer in Japan (84.0 vs 83.0).
Japan is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 79%.
Geography
By land area, Japan is 41% smaller than France: 377,930 km² versus 643,801 km².
Japan is far more densely settled: 326 people per km² against 107.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $55.27B (Japan) and $64.68B (France).
France fields the larger armed forces: 304,000 personnel against 261,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than France?
- France is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while France covers 643,801 km², so France is 70% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or France?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 68.72 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than France?
- Measured by GDP per capita, France is richer: $48,986 against $35,951. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.44T for Japan versus $3.37T for France.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or France?
- France spends more: $64.68B versus $55.27B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).