Netherlands vs Japan
Every indicator for Netherlands and Japan side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Netherlands | Japan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 18,087,633 | 123,366,734 | −85.3% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 1,333 | 4,435 | −69.9% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 73,684 | 35,951 | +105.0% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 82.0 | 84.0 | — |
| Area (km²) | 41,540 | 377,969 | −89.0% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 435 | 326 | +33.4% |
| Median age (years) | 42.2 | 49.4 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 97.0 | 85.5 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 3.9 | 2.5 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 3.3 | 3.2 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 95.9 | 92.3 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 23,179 | 55,274 | −58.1% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 1.92 | 1.37 | +40.1% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 4.34 | 3.25 | +33.5% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 1,281 | 448 | +186.0% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 41,000 | 261,000 | −84.3% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.3 | 2.1 | +7.1% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.42 | 0.38 | +10.5% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Netherlands relative to Japan; a positive value favors Netherlands. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Netherlands is higher on 7 of the 12 indicators, while Japan leads on the remaining 5. The widest separation is in area, about 9.1 times; they are closest on armed forces per 1,000 people.
Key differences
- Japan's area (377,969) is about 9.1 times Netherlands's (41,540).
- Japan's population (2025) (123,366,734) is about 6.8 times Netherlands's (18,087,633).
- Japan's armed forces personnel (2020) (261,000) is about 6.4 times Netherlands's (41,000).
- Japan's gdp (nominal) (4,435) is about 3.3 times Netherlands's (1,333).
- Netherlands's military expenditure per capita (1,281) is about 2.9 times Japan's (448).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Netherlands and Japan differ most?
Where are Netherlands and Japan most alike?
On how many indicators is Netherlands 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 Netherlands or Japan.
Netherlands profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Japan profile →
All statistics, series, and details.