Germany vs Japan
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Japan has 39.3 million more people than Germany (123 million vs 83.3 million in 2026). Japan is 1.0 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Germany ($60,496 vs $35,951). People live longer on average in Japan (84.0 vs 80.8 years).
| Germany | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 83,283,528 | 122,585,904 |
| Yearly population change | −0.25% | −0.63% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 77.5 million | 105 million |
| Land area | 349,430 km² | 364,500 km² |
| Density | 238/km² | 336/km² |
| GDP | $5.05 trillion (2025) | $4.44 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $60,496 (2025) | $35,951 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 80.8 years | 84.0 years |
| Births per woman | 1.36 | 1.15 |
| Urban population | 82% | 92% |
| Capital | Berlin | Tokyo |
| Currency | euro (EUR) | yen (JPY) |
| Calling code | +49 | +81 |
Share of world population: Germany 1.01%, Japan 1.48%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Germany or Japan?
Japan: about 123 million people versus 83.3 million in Germany (2026).
Is Germany bigger than Japan?
By land area, Japan is larger: 364,500 km² versus 349,430 km².
Which economy is bigger, Germany or Japan?
Germany, with a GDP of $5.05 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).