Updated
Overview
Japan and the Philippines are nearly matched in population: 123.37 million versus 116.79 million people (2025).
Japan's economy is 9.1 times the size of the Philippines', at $4.44T versus $487.09B.
Per person, Japan is the wealthier of the two: $35,951 against $4,171 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | Philippines | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $487.09B | 2025 | $4.03T / $461.62B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $35,951 | $4,171 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.2% | Higher: 4.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 1.7% | 2025 | 2.7% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 2.5% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $2,801 | $316 | 2021 / 2023 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,207 | $145 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | $2.74 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 116.79 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 118.28 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 26.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.88 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 69.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 56% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 86% | 67% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 342,353 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 341.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 175 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 1.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $6.12B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 157,000 | 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 Philippines is growing much faster: 4.4% annual GDP growth versus 1.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in Japan and 1.7% in the Philippines.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the Philippines: a price level of 33 versus 65 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Japan: $2,801 against $316 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The Philippines is the far younger society: median age 26.1 versus 49.8 years.
Life expectancy is 14.1 years longer in Japan (84.0 vs 69.9).
Japan is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 56%.
Internet adoption is higher in Japan (86% vs 67% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Japan is 10% larger than the Philippines: 377,930 km² versus 342,353 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Japan spends 9.0 times as much on defence as the Philippines: $55.27B versus $6.12B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 157,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than the Philippines?
- Japan is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while the Philippines covers 342,353 km², so Japan is 10% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or the Philippines?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 116.79 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than the Philippines?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Japan is richer: $35,951 against $4,171. Total GDP tells the same story: $4.44T for Japan versus $487.09B for the Philippines.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or the Philippines?
- Japan spends more: $55.27B versus $6.12B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).