Japan vs Russia
Every indicator for Japan and Russia side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Japan | Russia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 123,366,734 | 143,513,328 | −14.0% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 4,435 | 2,561 | +73.2% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 35,951 | 17,547 | +104.9% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 84.0 | 73.4 | — |
| Area (km²) | 377,969 | 17,125,190 | −97.8% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 326 | 8 | +3,794.8% |
| Median age (years) | 49.4 | 40.3 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 85.5 | 94.4 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 2.5 | 2.1 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 3.2 | 8.7 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 92.3 | 75.3 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 55,274 | 148,967 | −62.9% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 1.37 | 7.05 | −80.6% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 3.25 | 18.90 | −82.8% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 448 | 1,038 | −56.8% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 261,000 | 1,454,000 | −82.0% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.1 | 10.1 | −79.1% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.38 | 1.98 | −80.8% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Japan relative to Russia; a positive value favors Japan. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Russia is higher on 9 of the 12 indicators, while Japan leads on the remaining 3. The widest separation is in area, about 45 times; they are closest on population (2025).
Key differences
- Area shows the widest gap of all: Russia stands at 17,125,190 against Japan's 377,969 — roughly 45 times as much.
- Population density shows the widest gap of all: Japan stands at 326 against Russia's 8 — roughly 39 times as much.
- Russia's military expenditure as a share of government spending (18.90) is about 5.8 times Japan's (3.25).
- Russia's armed forces personnel (2020) (1,454,000) is about 5.6 times Japan's (261,000).
- Russia's armed forces as a share of the labor force (1.98) is about 5.2 times Japan's (0.38).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Japan and Russia differ most?
In area. Russia records 17,125,190 against Japan's 377,969 — a ratio of roughly 45 to one.
Where are Japan and Russia most alike?
In population (2025), at 143,513,328 and 123,366,734 — a gap of only %16.
On how many indicators is Japan ahead of Russia?
Japan is higher on 3 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Russia on 9. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
JapanRussia
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 Russia.
Japan profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Russia profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI