Switzerland vs Japan
Every indicator for Switzerland and Japan side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Switzerland | Japan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 9,092,436 | 123,366,734 | −92.6% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 1,044 | 4,435 | −76.5% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 114,769 | 35,951 | +219.2% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 84.4 | 84.0 | — |
| Area (km²) | 41,291 | 377,969 | −89.1% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 220 | 326 | −32.5% |
| Median age (years) | 43.0 | 49.4 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 97.3 | 85.5 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 4.9 | 2.5 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 0.2 | 3.2 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 85.7 | 92.3 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 6,722 | 55,274 | −87.8% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 0.72 | 1.37 | −47.4% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 2.27 | 3.25 | −30.2% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 739 | 448 | +65.0% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 20,000 | 261,000 | −92.3% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.2 | 2.1 | +4.0% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.40 | 0.38 | +5.3% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Switzerland relative to Japan; a positive value favors Switzerland. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Japan is higher on 8 of the 12 indicators, while Switzerland leads on the remaining 4. The widest separation is in population (2025), about 14 times; they are closest on armed forces per 1,000 people.
Key differences
- Population (2025) shows the widest gap of all: Japan stands at 123,366,734 against Switzerland's 9,092,436 — roughly 14 times as much.
- Armed forces personnel (2020) shows the widest gap of all: Japan stands at 261,000 against Switzerland's 20,000 — roughly 13 times as much.
- Japan's area (377,969) is about 9.2 times Switzerland's (41,291).
- Japan's military expenditure (2024) (55,274) is about 8.2 times Switzerland's (6,722).
- Japan's gdp (nominal) (4,435) is about 4.2 times Switzerland's (1,044).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Switzerland and Japan differ most?
Where are Switzerland and Japan most alike?
On how many indicators is Switzerland 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 Switzerland or Japan.
Switzerland profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Japan profile →
All statistics, series, and details.