Updated
Overview
Japan has 6.8 times the population of the Netherlands: 123.37 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 3.3 times the size of the Netherlands', at $4.44T versus $1.33T.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $35,951 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $1.33T | 2025 | $4.03T / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.2% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 3.3% | 2025 | 2.7% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,801 | Higher: $6,402 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,207 | Higher: $2,538 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 41,000 | 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
The Netherlands is growing faster: 1.8% annual GDP growth versus 1.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in Japan and 3.3% in the Netherlands.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Japan: a price level of 65 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $2,801 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Netherlands is the far younger society: median age 41.5 versus 49.8 years.
Life expectancy is 2.1 years longer in Japan (84.0 vs 82.0).
Internet adoption is higher in the Netherlands (97% vs 86% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Japan is 9.0 times the size of the Netherlands: 377,930 km² versus 41,850 km².
Military
Japan spends 2.4 times as much on defence as the Netherlands: $55.27B versus $23.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than the Netherlands?
- Japan is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Japan is 9.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or the Netherlands?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $35,951. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.44T for Japan versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or the Netherlands?
- Japan spends more: $55.27B versus $23.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).