Japan vs United States
Population, economy and geography side by side
vs
United States has 2.8 times as many people as Japan (343 million vs 123 million in 2026). United States is 25.1 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in United States ($90,027 vs $35,951). People live longer on average in Japan (84.0 vs 78.9 years).
| Japan | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 122,585,904 | 343,382,784 |
| Yearly population change | −0.63% | +0.47% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 105 million | 373 million |
| Land area | 364,500 km² | 9,147,420 km² |
| Density | 336/km² | 38/km² |
| GDP | $4.44 trillion (2025) | $30.77 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $35,951 (2025) | $90,027 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 84.0 years | 78.9 years |
| Births per woman | 1.15 | 1.63 |
| Urban population | 92% | 80% |
| Capital | Tokyo | Washington, D.C. |
| Currency | yen (JPY) | United States dollar (USD) |
| Calling code | +81 | +1 |
Share of world population: Japan 1.48%, United States 4.14%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Japan or United States?
United States: about 343 million people versus 123 million in Japan (2026).
Is Japan bigger than United States?
By land area, United States is larger: 9,147,420 km² versus 364,500 km².
Which economy is bigger, Japan or United States?
United States, with a GDP of $30.77 trillion versus $4.44 trillion (World Bank, current US$).
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).