Updated
Overview
Japan has about 80% more people than the United Kingdom: 123.37 million against 69.49 million (2025).
Japan's economy is 11% larger than the United Kingdom's, at $4.44T versus $4.00T.
Per person, the United Kingdom is the wealthier of the two: $57,602 against $35,951 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Japan | United Kingdom | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.44T | $4.00T | 2025 | $4.03T / $3.64T |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 | Higher: $57,602 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.2% | Higher: 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.2% | 3.9% | 2025 | 2.7% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.5% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 65 | 89 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,801 | Higher: $3,567 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,207 | Higher: $2,532 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.08 | $7.40 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 123.37 million | 69.49 million | 2025 | 123.20 million / 68.75 million |
| Population growth | -0.5% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 49.8 yrs | 40.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.23 | 1.54 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 81.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 95% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 377,930 km² | 242,900 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 326.4/km² | 286.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 962 Mt | Lower: 313 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 7.8 t | Lower: 4.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $55.27B | $81.76B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.4% | 2.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 261,000 | 153,000 | 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, 1.4% for the United Kingdom).
Inflation is comparable in both: 3.2% in Japan and 3.9% in the United Kingdom.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Japan: a price level of 65 versus 89 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour the United Kingdom: $3,567 against $2,801 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
The United Kingdom is the far younger society: median age 40.1 versus 49.8 years.
Life expectancy is 2.6 years longer in Japan (84.0 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, Japan is 56% larger than the United Kingdom: 377,930 km² versus 242,900 km².
Military
The United Kingdom spends about 50% more on defence than Japan: $81.76B versus $55.27B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Kingdom carries the heavier military burden: 2.3% of GDP versus 1.4%.
Japan fields the larger armed forces: 261,000 personnel against 153,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Japan bigger than the United Kingdom?
- Japan is larger by land area. Japan covers 377,930 km² while the United Kingdom covers 242,900 km², so Japan is 56% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Japan or the United Kingdom?
- Japan has the larger population: 123.37 million versus 69.49 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Japan richer than the United Kingdom?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Kingdom is richer: $57,602 against $35,951. Total GDP tells a different story: $4.44T for Japan versus $4.00T for the United Kingdom.
- Who spends more on their military, Japan or the United Kingdom?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $55.27B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).