Updated
Overview
Japan has 14 times the population of Switzerland: 123.37 million people against 9.09 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 4.3 times the size of Switzerland's, at $4.44T versus $1.04T.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $35,951 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $1.04T | 2025 | $4.03T / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 | Higher: $114,769 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.2% | Higher: 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.2% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 2.7% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 112 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,801 | Higher: $7,309 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,207 | Higher: $4,784 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $6.72B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 20,000 | 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, 1.3% for Switzerland).
Japan runs the hotter price environment: 3.2% inflation versus 0.2%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Japan: a price level of 65 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Switzerland: $7,309 against $2,801 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Switzerland is the younger society: median age 42.9 versus 49.8 years.
Internet adoption is higher in Switzerland (97% vs 86% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Japan is 9.2 times the size of Switzerland: 377,930 km² versus 41,284 km².
Military
Japan spends 8.2 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $55.27B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than Switzerland?
- Japan is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so Japan is 9.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or Switzerland?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $35,951. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.44T for Japan versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or Switzerland?
- Japan spends more: $55.27B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).