Japan vs Nigeria
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Nigeria has 2.0 times as many people as Japan (242 million vs 123 million in 2026). Nigeria is 2.5 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Japan ($35,951 vs $1,224). People live longer on average in Japan (84.0 vs 54.6 years).
| Japan | Nigeria | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 122,585,904 | 242,431,832 |
| Yearly population change | −0.63% | +2.06% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 105 million | 359 million |
| Land area | 364,500 km² | 910,770 km² |
| Density | 336/km² | 266/km² |
| GDP | $4.44 trillion (2025) | $291 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 (2025) | $1,224 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 years | 54.6 years |
| Births per woman | 1.15 | 4.38 |
| Urban population | 92% | 64% |
| Capital | Tokyo | Abuja |
| Currency | yen (JPY) | naira (NGN) |
| Calling code | +81 | +234 |
Share of world population: Japan 1.48%, Nigeria 2.93%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Japan or Nigeria?
Nigeria: about 242 million people versus 123 million in Japan (2026).
Is Japan bigger than Nigeria?
By land area, Nigeria is larger: 910,770 km² versus 364,500 km².
Which economy is bigger, Japan or Nigeria?
Japan, with a GDP of $4.44 trillion versus $291 billion (World Bank, current US$).
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).