Japan vs Thailand
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Japan has 51.0 million more people than Thailand (123 million vs 71.6 million in 2026). Thailand is 1.4 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Japan ($35,951 vs $8,057). People live longer on average in Japan (84.0 vs 76.6 years).
| Japan | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 122,585,904 | 71,559,614 |
| Yearly population change | −0.63% | −0.08% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 105 million | 66.4 million |
| Land area | 364,500 km² | 510,890 km² |
| Density | 336/km² | 140/km² |
| GDP | $4.44 trillion (2025) | $577 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 (2025) | $8,057 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 years | 76.6 years |
| Births per woman | 1.15 | 1.20 |
| Urban population | 92% | 63% |
| Capital | Tokyo | Bangkok |
| Currency | yen (JPY) | baht (THB) |
| Calling code | +81 | +66 |
Share of world population: Japan 1.48%, Thailand 0.86%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Japan or Thailand?
Japan: about 123 million people versus 71.6 million in Thailand (2026).
Is Japan bigger than Thailand?
By land area, Thailand is larger: 510,890 km² versus 364,500 km².
Which economy is bigger, Japan or Thailand?
Japan, with a GDP of $4.44 trillion versus $577 billion (World Bank, current US$).
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).