Updated
Overview
Japan has 12 times the population of Sweden: 123.37 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 6.6 times the size of Sweden's, at $4.44T versus $669.00B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $35,951 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $669.00B | 2025 | $4.03T / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.2% | Higher: 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 2.7% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,801 | Higher: $4,783 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,207 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 15,000 | 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, 1.5% for Sweden).
Japan runs the hotter price environment: 3.2% inflation versus 0.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Japan: a price level of 65 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $2,801 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Sweden is the far younger society: median age 40.3 versus 49.8 years.
Internet adoption is higher in Sweden (96% vs 86% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Japan is 16% smaller than Sweden: 377,930 km² versus 450,295 km².
Japan is far more densely settled: 326 people per km² against 24.
Military
Japan spends 4.6 times as much on defence as Sweden: $55.27B versus $12.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 19% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or Sweden?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $35,951. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.44T for Japan versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or Sweden?
- Japan spends more: $55.27B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).