Updated
Overview
Japan has about 90% more people than South Africa: 123.37 million against 64.75 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 10 times the size of South Africa's, at $4.44T versus $427.18B.
Per person, Japan is the wealthier of the two: $35,951 against $6,598 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | South Africa | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $427.18B | 2025 | $4.03T / $400.26B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $35,951 | $6,598 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.2% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 3.2% | 2025 | 2.7% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 32.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $2,801 | $485 | 2021 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,207 | $261 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | $3.49 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 64.75 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 61.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 28.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 2.19 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 66.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 64% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 86% | 78% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 1,221,037 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 53.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 440 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 6.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $2.84B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 89,000 | 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, 1.1% for South Africa).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in Japan and 3.2% in South Africa.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in South Africa: a price level of 41 versus 65 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Japan: $2,801 against $485 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
South Africa is the far younger society: median age 28.7 versus 49.8 years.
Life expectancy is 17.7 years longer in Japan (84.0 vs 66.3).
Japan is considerably more urbanized: 92% of people live in cities, against 64%.
Geography
By land area, Japan is 69% smaller than South Africa: 377,930 km² versus 1,221,037 km².
Japan is far more densely settled: 326 people per km² against 53.
Military
Japan spends 19 times as much on defence as South Africa: $55.27B versus $2.84B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 89,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than South Africa?
- South Africa is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while South Africa covers 1,221,037 km², so South Africa is 3.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or South Africa?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 64.75 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than South Africa?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Japan is richer: $35,951 against $6,598. Total GDP tells the same story: $4.44T for Japan versus $427.18B for South Africa.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or South Africa?
- Japan spends more: $55.27B versus $2.84B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).