China vs Japan
Population, economy and geography side by side
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China has 11.4 times as many people as Japan (1.40 billion vs 123 million in 2026). China is 25.8 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Japan ($35,951 vs $13,862). People live longer on average in Japan (84.0 vs 78.0 years).
| China | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 1,403,496,576 | 122,585,904 |
| Yearly population change | −0.22% | −0.63% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 1.24 billion | 105 million |
| Land area | 9,388,210 km² | 364,500 km² |
| Density | 149/km² | 336/km² |
| GDP | $19.50 trillion (2025) | $4.44 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 (2025) | $35,951 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 years | 84.0 years |
| Births per woman | 1.01 | 1.15 |
| Urban population | 66% | 92% |
| Capital | Beijing | Tokyo |
| Currency | renminbi (CNY) | yen (JPY) |
| Calling code | +86 | +81 |
Share of world population: China 16.94%, Japan 1.48%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, China or Japan?
China: about 1.40 billion people versus 123 million in Japan (2026).
Is China bigger than Japan?
By land area, China is larger: 9,388,210 km² versus 364,500 km².
Which economy is bigger, China or Japan?
China, with a GDP of $19.50 trillion versus $4.44 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).