Germany vs Japan
Every indicator for Germany and Japan side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Germany | Japan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 83,491,249 | 123,366,734 | −32.3% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 5,051 | 4,435 | +13.9% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 60,496 | 35,951 | +68.3% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 80.8 | 84.0 | — |
| Area (km²) | 357,680 | 377,969 | −5.4% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 233 | 326 | −28.5% |
| Median age (years) | 46.7 | 49.4 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 93.5 | 85.5 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 3.7 | 2.5 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 2.2 | 3.2 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 82.1 | 92.3 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 88,458 | 55,274 | +60.0% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 1.89 | 1.37 | +38.0% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 3.93 | 3.25 | +20.9% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 1,059 | 448 | +136.5% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 183,000 | 261,000 | −29.9% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.2 | 2.1 | +3.6% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.42 | 0.38 | +10.5% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Germany relative to Japan; a positive value favors Germany. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Germany is higher on 8 of the 12 indicators, while Japan leads on the remaining 4. The widest separation is in military expenditure per capita, about 2.4 times; they are closest on armed forces per 1,000 people.
Key differences
- Germany's military expenditure per capita (1,059) is about 2.4 times Japan's (448).
- On gdp per capita, Germany is %68 higher than Japan: 60,496 against 35,951.
- On military expenditure (2024), Germany is %60 higher than Japan: 88,458 against 55,274.
- On population (2025), Japan is %48 higher than Germany: 123,366,734 against 83,491,249.
- On armed forces personnel (2020), Japan is %43 higher than Germany: 261,000 against 183,000.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Germany and Japan differ most?
Where are Germany and Japan most alike?
On how many indicators is Germany ahead of Japan?
The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.
Related comparisons
Other comparisons involving Germany or Japan.
Germany profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Japan profile →
All statistics, series, and details.