Japan vs Canada
Every indicator for Japan and Canada side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Japan | Canada | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 123,366,734 | 41,651,653 | +196.2% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 4,435 | 2,320 | +91.2% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 35,951 | 55,698 | −35.5% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 84.0 | 82.1 | — |
| Area (km²) | 377,969 | 15,634,410 | −97.6% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 326 | 3 | +12,151.6% |
| Median age (years) | 49.4 | 40.6 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 85.5 | 94.4 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 2.5 | 6.9 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 3.2 | 2.1 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 92.3 | 82.9 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 55,274 | 29,347 | +88.3% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 1.37 | 1.31 | +4.6% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 3.25 | 3.08 | +5.5% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 448 | 705 | −36.4% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 261,000 | 72,000 | +262.5% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.1 | 1.7 | +22.4% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.38 | 0.35 | +8.6% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Japan relative to Canada; a positive value favors Japan. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Japan is higher on 9 of the 12 indicators, while Canada leads on the remaining 3. The widest separation is in population density, about 123 times; they are closest on military expenditure as a share of gdp.
Key differences
- Population density shows the widest gap of all: Japan stands at 326 against Canada's 3 — roughly 123 times as much.
- Area shows the widest gap of all: Canada stands at 15,634,410 against Japan's 377,969 — roughly 41 times as much.
- Japan's armed forces personnel (2020) (261,000) is about 3.6 times Canada's (72,000).
- Japan's population (2025) (123,366,734) is about 3.0 times Canada's (41,651,653).
- On gdp (nominal), Japan is %91 higher than Canada: 4,435 against 2,320.
Frequently asked questions
Where do Japan and Canada differ most?
In population density. Japan records 326 against Canada's 3 — a ratio of roughly 123 to one.
Where are Japan and Canada most alike?
In military expenditure as a share of gdp, at 1.37 and 1.31 — a gap of only %4.6.
On how many indicators is Japan ahead of Canada?
Japan is higher on 9 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Canada on 3. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
JapanCanada
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 Japan or Canada.
Japan profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Canada profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI