Italy vs Japan
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Japan has 2.1 times as many people as Italy (123 million vs 58.7 million in 2026). Japan is 1.2 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Italy ($43,309 vs $35,951). People live longer on average in Japan (84.0 vs 84.0 years).
| Italy | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 58,669,960 | 122,585,904 |
| Yearly population change | −0.42% | −0.63% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 51.2 million | 105 million |
| Land area | 295,720 km² | 364,500 km² |
| Density | 198/km² | 336/km² |
| GDP | $2.55 trillion (2025) | $4.44 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $43,309 (2025) | $35,951 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 years | 84.0 years |
| Births per woman | 1.18 | 1.15 |
| Urban population | 70% | 92% |
| Capital | Rome | Tokyo |
| Currency | euro (EUR) | yen (JPY) |
| Calling code | +39 | +81 |
Share of world population: Italy 0.71%, Japan 1.48%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Italy or Japan?
Japan: about 123 million people versus 58.7 million in Italy (2026).
Is Italy bigger than Japan?
By land area, Japan is larger: 364,500 km² versus 295,720 km².
Which economy is bigger, Italy or Japan?
Japan, with a GDP of $4.44 trillion versus $2.55 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
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).