At a glance
Japan vs United Kingdom: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  Japan |  United Kingdom | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 122,223,526 | 70,039,936 | Japan 1.7× |
| Population growth rate % per year | -0.6 | +0.5 | -1.1 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 323.42026 | 287.52026 | +35.9 |
| Surface area km² | 377,9692023 | 243,6102023 | Japan 1.6× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 5.72024 | 9.92024 | -4.2 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 13.32024 | 9.72024 | +3.6 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | +1.1 | +5.2 | -4.1 |
| Urban population % of population | 92.32025 | 83.32025 | +9 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 95.1 | 97.1 | -2 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 842024 | 81.42024 | +2.6 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 1.152024 | 1.552024 | -0.4 |
| Median age years | 50.2 | 40.2 | +10 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 1.6 | 3.4 | -1.8 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 11.22025 | 172025 | -5.7 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 302025 | 19.72025 | +10.3 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $4.44T2025 | $4.00T2025 | Japan 1.1× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $35,9512025 | $57,6022025 | United Kingdom 1.6× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 2.52025 | 4.72025 | -2.3 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | 3.22025 | 3.92025 | -0.7 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 972.32024 | 292.42024 | Japan 3.3× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 7.842024 | 4.222024 | +3.62 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | 3,0062024 | 2,0692024 | Japan 1.5× |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 8.82021 | 12.22021 | -3.4 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 68.42023 | 13.32023 | +55.1 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 3,4372022 | 2,1442022 | Japan 1.6× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 18.52022 | 5.82022 | +12.7 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 85.52024 | 95.52024 | -9.9 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 178.42023 | 121.62024 | +56.8 |
▲ marks the higher value (for death rate, infant mortality, unemployment, inflation, CO₂ and water stress: the lower value). "Difference" is the ratio for absolute measures and Japan minus United Kingdom for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
Japan compared with United Kingdom
Japan has a live population of about 122,223,526 (#12 in the world) and United Kingdom about 70,039,936 (#22), so Japan has 1.7 times as many people as United Kingdom. Japan is growing at -0.6% a year and United Kingdom at 0.5%.
By area Japan is larger: 377,969 km² against 243,610 km², which gives population densities of 323.4 people per km² in Japan and 287.5 in United Kingdom.
Japan's economy is worth $4.44T (2025) and United Kingdom's $4.00T (2025); per person that is $35,951 in Japan versus $57,602 in United Kingdom, so the average United Kingdom resident produces 1.6 times as much.
Life expectancy is 84 years in Japan and 81.4 in United Kingdom; women have 1.2 children on average in Japan compared with 1.6 in United Kingdom; the median age is 50.2 versus 40.2 years.
92.3% of Japan's people live in cities against 83.3% in United Kingdom; 85.5% use the internet in Japan and 95.5% in United Kingdom; CO₂ emissions per person are 7.8 t in Japan and 4.2 t in United Kingdom.
Population over time
Life expectancy & fertility
Birth & death rates
Age structure
CO₂ emissions
Energy use & renewables
Forest area
Urban population
Water resources & stress
Economy
Unemployment & inflation
Internet & mobile
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, Japan or United Kingdom?
By population Japan is bigger: 122,223,526 people versus 70,039,936 (live estimates, October 2026). By area Japan is larger (377,969 km² vs 243,610 km²).
Which has the larger economy, Japan or United Kingdom?
Japan: GDP of $4,435,162,999,977 versus $4,002,587,541,846 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2025/2025).
Where do people live longer, Japan or United Kingdom?
Life expectancy at birth is 84 years in Japan and 81.4 years in United Kingdom, a difference of 2.6 years in favour of Japan.
How are these comparisons calculated?
Live populations extrapolate the UN World Population Prospects baseline with each country's growth rate; every other figure is the latest value published by World Bank Open Data (or the UN for median age, infant mortality and migration). Each row shows the year of the figure, and the charts below overlay the full historical series of both countries.
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United Kingdom vs ThailandSources & method: live populations are linear extrapolations of the UN World Population Prospects estimates; all other indicators are the latest values from World Bank Open Data (UN WPP for median age, infant mortality, sex ratio and net migration). Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.