France vs Japan

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorFranceJapanDifference
Population (2025) (people)68,720,337123,366,734−44.3%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)3,3664,435−24.1%
GDP per capita ($)48,98635,951+36.3%
Life expectancy (years)83.084.0
Area (km²)606,410377,969+60.4%
Population density (people/km²)113326−65.3%
Median age (years)42.349.4
Internet usage (%)88.785.5
Unemployment rate (%)7.52.5
Inflation (%)0.93.2
Urban population (%)78.892.3
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)64,67555,274+17.0%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)2.051.37+49.6%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)3.593.25+10.5%
Military expenditure per capita ($)941448+110.1%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)304,000261,000+16.5%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)4.42.1+109.1%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)1.000.38+163.2%

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

Key differences

  • On population (2025), France is 44.3% lower than Japan.
  • On gdp (nominal), France is 24.1% lower than Japan.
  • On gdp per capita, France is 36.3% higher than Japan.
France and Japan — core indicators
050 mn100 mn150 mnPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — France: 68.720.337GDP (nominal) — France: 3.366GDP per capita — France: 48.986Area — France: 606.410Population (2025) — Japan: 123.366.734GDP (nominal) — Japan: 4.435GDP per capita — Japan: 35.951Area — Japan: 377.969
FranceJapan

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

Other comparisons involving France or Japan.

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