United Kingdom vs Japan
Every indicator for United Kingdom and Japan side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | United Kingdom | Japan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 69,487,000 | 123,366,734 | −43.7% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 4,003 | 4,435 | −9.7% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 57,602 | 35,951 | +60.2% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 81.4 | 84.0 | — |
| Area (km²) | 243,610 | 377,969 | −35.5% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 285 | 326 | −12.6% |
| Median age (years) | 40.6 | 49.4 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 95.5 | 85.5 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.7 | 2.5 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 3.9 | 3.2 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 83.3 | 92.3 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 81,763 | 55,274 | +47.9% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 2.28 | 1.37 | +66.4% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 5.25 | 3.25 | +61.5% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 1,177 | 448 | +162.6% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 153,000 | 261,000 | −41.4% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.2 | 2.1 | +4.1% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.45 | 0.38 | +18.4% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of United Kingdom relative to Japan; a positive value favors United Kingdom. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
United Kingdom is higher on 7 of the 12 indicators, while Japan leads on the remaining 5. The widest separation is in military expenditure per capita, about 2.6 times; they are closest on armed forces per 1,000 people.
Key differences
- United Kingdom's military expenditure per capita (1,177) is about 2.6 times Japan's (448).
- On population (2025), Japan is %78 higher than United Kingdom: 123,366,734 against 69,487,000.
- On armed forces personnel (2020), Japan is %71 higher than United Kingdom: 261,000 against 153,000.
- On military expenditure as a share of gdp, United Kingdom is %66 higher than Japan: 2.28 against 1.37.
- On military expenditure as a share of government spending, United Kingdom is %62 higher than Japan: 5.25 against 3.25.
Frequently asked questions
Where do United Kingdom and Japan differ most?
Where are United Kingdom and Japan most alike?
On how many indicators is United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom or Japan.
United Kingdom profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Japan profile →
All statistics, series, and details.