Updated
Overview
Japan has about 50% more people than Germany: 123.37 million against 83.49 million (2025).
Germany's economy is 14% larger than Japan's, at $5.05T versus $4.44T.
Per person, Germany is the wealthier of the two: $60,496 against $35,951 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | Germany | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $4.44T | Higher: $5.05T | 2025 | $4.03T / $4.66T |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 | Higher: $60,496 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.2% | 0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | 2.7% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 3.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 80 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,801 | Higher: $4,647 | 2021 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,207 | Higher: $2,442 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 83.49 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 84.01 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 45.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.46 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 80.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 82% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 93% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 357,114 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 233.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 572 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 6.8 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $88.46B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 183,000 | 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
Japan is growing faster: 1.2% annual GDP growth versus 0.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in Japan and 2.2% in Germany.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Japan: a price level of 65 versus 80 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Germany: $4,647 against $2,801 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Germany is the younger society: median age 45.5 versus 49.8 years.
Life expectancy is 3.2 years longer in Japan (84.0 vs 80.8).
Japan is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 82%.
Geography
By land area, Japan is almost exactly the same size as Germany: 377,930 km² versus 357,114 km².
Military
Germany spends about 60% more on defence than Japan: $88.46B versus $55.27B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 183,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than Germany?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Japan covers 377,930 km² while Germany covers 357,114 km², a difference of under 6%.
- Which has more people, Japan or Germany?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 83.49 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than Germany?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Germany is richer: $60,496 against $35,951. Total GDP tells the same story: $4.44T for Japan versus $5.05T for Germany.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or Germany?
- Germany spends more: $88.46B versus $55.27B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).