Japan vs Russia
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Russia has 20.7 million more people than Japan (143 million vs 123 million in 2026). Russia is 44.9 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Japan ($35,951 vs $17,547). People live longer on average in Japan (84.0 vs 73.4 years).
| Japan | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 122,585,904 | 143,292,448 |
| Yearly population change | −0.63% | −0.15% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 105 million | 137 million |
| Land area | 364,500 km² | 16,376,870 km² |
| Density | 336/km² | 9/km² |
| GDP | $4.44 trillion (2025) | $2.56 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 (2025) | $17,547 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 years | 73.4 years |
| Births per woman | 1.15 | 1.42 |
| Urban population | 92% | 75% |
| Capital | Tokyo | Moscow |
| Currency | yen (JPY) | Russian ruble (RUB) |
| Calling code | +81 | +7 |
Share of world population: Japan 1.48%, Russia 1.73%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Japan or Russia?
Russia: about 143 million people versus 123 million in Japan (2026).
Is Japan bigger than Russia?
By land area, Russia is larger: 16,376,870 km² versus 364,500 km².
Which economy is bigger, Japan or Russia?
Japan, with a GDP of $4.44 trillion versus $2.56 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
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).