Japan vs Kenya

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorJapanKenyaDifference
Population (2025) (people)123,366,73457,532,493+114.4%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)4,435136+3,161.0%
GDP per capita ($)35,9512,363+1,421.4%
Life expectancy (years)84.063.8—
Area (km²)377,969591,969−36.2%
Population density (people/km²)32697+235.8%
Median age (years)49.420.0—
Internet usage (%)85.535.0—
Unemployment rate (%)2.55.4—
Inflation (%)3.24.1—
Urban population (%)92.332.2—
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)55,2741,231+4,390.2%
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)1.371.00+37.0%
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)3.254.43−26.6%
Military expenditure per capita ($)44821+1,994.0%
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)261,00024,000+987.5%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)2.10.4+407.2%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)0.380.11+245.5%

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

At a glance

Japan is higher on 10 of the 12 indicators, while Kenya leads on the remaining 2. The widest separation is in military expenditure (2024), about 45 times; they are closest on military expenditure as a share of government spending.

Key differences

  • Military expenditure (2024) shows the widest gap of all: Japan stands at 55,274 against Kenya's 1,231 — roughly 45 times as much.
  • GDP (nominal) shows the widest gap of all: Japan stands at 4,435 against Kenya's 136 — roughly 33 times as much.
  • Military expenditure per capita shows the widest gap of all: Japan stands at 448 against Kenya's 21 — roughly 21 times as much.
  • GDP per capita shows the widest gap of all: Japan stands at 35,951 against Kenya's 2,363 — roughly 15 times as much.
  • Armed forces personnel (2020) shows the widest gap of all: Japan stands at 261,000 against Kenya's 24,000 — roughly 11 times as much.

Frequently asked questions

Where do Japan and Kenya differ most?
In military expenditure (2024). Japan records 55,274 against Kenya's 1,231 — a ratio of roughly 45 to one.
Where are Japan and Kenya most alike?
In military expenditure as a share of government spending, at 4.43 and 3.25 — a gap of only %36.
On how many indicators is Japan ahead of Kenya?
Japan is higher on 10 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Kenya on 2. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
Japan and Kenya — core indicators
050 M100 M150 MPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — Japan: 123,366,734GDP (nominal) — Japan: 4,435GDP per capita — Japan: 35,951Area — Japan: 377,969Population (2025) — Kenya: 57,532,493GDP (nominal) — Kenya: 136GDP per capita — Kenya: 2,363Area — Kenya: 591,969
JapanKenya

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

Other comparisons involving Japan or Kenya.

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