Japan Population
East Asia & Pacific · 12th most populous · High income
Population right now (estimate)
122,333,841
The population of Japan is about 122,333,841 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 123 million for 2026 as a whole — 1.48% of the world's people.
Japan is the 12th most populous of 217 countries and territories. The population is shrinking, by about 0.63% a year. It peaked around 2010 at 128 million and is projected to fall to 105 million by 2050. Since 1960 (93.2 million) it has grown by 32%. Population density is 336 people per square kilometre. 92% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
123 million
Yearly change
−0.63%
World rank
12th
Share of world
1.48%
Density
336/km²
Land area
364,500 km²
Life expectancy
84.0 yrs
Births per woman
1.15
GDP per capita
$35,951
GDP
$4.44T
Population of Japan, 1960–2050
Japan population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 93,216,000 | — | 256 |
| 1970 | 103,403,000 | +1.16% | 284 |
| 1980 | 116,807,000 | +0.79% | 320 |
| 1990 | 123,478,000 | +0.33% | 339 |
| 2000 | 126,843,000 | +0.17% | 348 |
| 2010 | 128,070,000 | +0.02% | 351 |
| 2020 | 126,261,000 | −0.29% | 346 |
| 2024 | 123,975,371 | −0.43% | 340 |
| 2026proj. | 122,585,904 | −0.63% | 336 |
| 2030proj. | 119,272,680 | −0.70% | 327 |
| 2040proj. | 111,648,072 | −0.61% | 306 |
| 2050proj. | 105,052,904 | −0.64% | 288 |
Japan vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 1.5 times as many people as Japan. Bangladesh is 4.1 times more densely populated.
Japan population: questions and answers
What is the population of Japan in 2026?
About 122,585,904 (123 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Japan's population growing?
No — it is falling by about 0.63% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Japan?
About 336 people per km², with a land area of 364,500 km².
What will the population of Japan be in 2050?
About 105 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Japan?
Tokyo.
What is the life expectancy in Japan?
84.0 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.