France vs Japan
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Japan has 53.8 million more people than France (123 million vs 68.8 million in 2026). France is 1.5 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in France ($48,986 vs $35,951). People live longer on average in Japan (84.0 vs 83.0 years).
| France | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 68,802,696 | 122,585,904 |
| Yearly population change | +0.12% | −0.63% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 69.7 million | 105 million |
| Land area | 538,950 km² | 364,500 km² |
| Density | 128/km² | 336/km² |
| GDP | $3.37 trillion (2025) | $4.44 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $48,986 (2025) | $35,951 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 83.0 years | 84.0 years |
| Births per woman | 1.61 | 1.15 |
| Urban population | 79% | 92% |
| Capital | Paris | Tokyo |
| Currency | euro (EUR) | yen (JPY) |
| Calling code | +33 | +81 |
Share of world population: France 0.83%, Japan 1.48%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, France or Japan?
Japan: about 123 million people versus 68.8 million in France (2026).
Is France bigger than Japan?
By land area, France is larger: 538,950 km² versus 364,500 km².
Which economy is bigger, France or Japan?
Japan, with a GDP of $4.44 trillion versus $3.37 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
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).