United States vs Japan

Every indicator for United States and Japan side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Indicator comparison
IndicatorUnited StatesJapanDifference
Population (2025) (people)341,784,857123,366,734+177.0%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)30,7704,435+593.8%
GDP per capita ($)90,02735,951+150.4%
Life expectancy (years)78.984.0
Area (km²)9,831,510377,969+2,501.1%
Population density (people/km²)35326−89.3%
Median age (years)38.349.4
Internet usage (%)94.785.5
Unemployment rate (%)4.22.5
Inflation (%)2.93.2
Urban population (%)80.292.3
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)997,30955,274+1,704.3%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)3.421.37+149.6%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)9.113.25+180.3%
Military expenditure per capita ($)2,918448+551.3%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)1,395,000261,000+434.5%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)4.12.1+92.9%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.840.38+121.1%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of United States relative to Japan; a positive value favors United States. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.

Key differences

  • On population (2025), United States is 177.0% higher than Japan.
  • On gdp (nominal), United States is 593.8% higher than Japan.
  • On gdp per capita, United States is 150.4% higher than Japan.
United States and Japan — core indicators
0100 mn200 mn300 mn400 mnPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — United States: 341.784.857GDP (nominal) — United States: 30.770GDP per capita — United States: 90.027Area — United States: 9.831.510Population (2025) — Japan: 123.366.734GDP (nominal) — Japan: 4.435GDP per capita — Japan: 35.951Area — Japan: 377.969
United StatesJapan

The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.

Other comparisons involving United States or Japan.

Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI