Japan vs United Kingdom
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Japan has 52.8 million more people than United Kingdom (123 million vs 69.8 million in 2026). Japan is 1.5 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in United Kingdom ($57,602 vs $35,951). People live longer on average in Japan (84.0 vs 81.4 years).
| Japan | United Kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 122,585,904 | 69,833,560 |
| Yearly population change | −0.63% | +0.50% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 105 million | 74.9 million |
| Land area | 364,500 km² | 241,930 km² |
| Density | 336/km² | 289/km² |
| GDP | $4.44 trillion (2025) | $4.00 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 (2025) | $57,602 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 years | 81.4 years |
| Births per woman | 1.15 | 1.55 |
| Urban population | 92% | 83% |
| Capital | Tokyo | London |
| Currency | yen (JPY) | pound sterling (GBP) |
| Calling code | +81 | +44 |
Share of world population: Japan 1.48%, United Kingdom 0.84%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Japan or United Kingdom?
Japan: about 123 million people versus 69.8 million in United Kingdom (2026).
Is Japan bigger than United Kingdom?
By land area, Japan is larger: 364,500 km² versus 241,930 km².
Which economy is bigger, Japan or United Kingdom?
Japan, with a GDP of $4.44 trillion versus $4.00 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
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).