Korea, Rep. vs Japan
Comprehensive comparison of economic, demographic and social indicators
Key Indicators
| Indicator | Korea, Rep. | Japan | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP (nominal) | $1.88T | $4.03T | 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $36,239 | $32,487 | 2024 |
| Population | 51.8M | 124.0M | 2024 |
| GDP growth rate | 2.00% | 0.10% | 2024 |
| Inflation rate | 2.32% | 2.74% | 2024 |
| Unemployment rate | 2.68% | 2.45% | 2025 |
| Life expectancy | 83.4 years | 84.0 years | 2023 |
| Surface area (sq. km) | 100,450 km2 | 377,969 km2 | 2023 |
Korea, Rep. vs Japan: Analysis
Japan has a larger economy than Korea, Rep., with a nominal GDP roughly 2.1 times greater based on 2024 data. Korea, Rep. recorded a GDP of $1.88T, while Japan stood at $4.03T.
In terms of GDP per capita, Korea, Rep. leads over Japan. Korea, Rep. has a per capita output of $36,239, compared to $32,487 for Japan.
Japan has a larger population than Korea, Rep.. Korea, Rep. is home to approximately 51.8M people, while Japan has about 124.0M.
By surface area, Japan is the larger country. Korea, Rep. covers 100,450 km2, and Japan spans 377,969 km2.
Life expectancy is higher in Japan: 83.4 years in Korea, Rep. versus 84.0 years in Japan. Japan has the lower unemployment rate (Korea, Rep.: 2.68%, Japan: 2.45%). Inflation stands at 2.32% in Korea, Rep. and 2.74% in Japan.
These figures are drawn from World Bank Open Data and reflect the most recent available reporting year for each indicator. For historical trends and additional indicators, explore the individual country profiles on NationStat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country has a larger GDP, Korea, Rep. or Japan?
Japan has the larger GDP. Korea, Rep. has a GDP of $1.88T (2024), while Japan has $4.03T (2024). Source: World Bank.
What is the population difference between Korea, Rep. and Japan?
The population difference is approximately 72.2M. Korea, Rep. has 51.8M people (2024), and Japan has 124.0M (2024). Source: World Bank.
Is Korea, Rep. richer than Japan?
By GDP per capita, Korea, Rep. is wealthier. Korea, Rep. has a GDP per capita of $36,239 (2024), compared to $32,487 for Japan (2024). Source: World Bank.
Which country has higher life expectancy, Korea, Rep. or Japan?
Japan has higher life expectancy. Korea, Rep.: 83.4 years (2023), Japan: 84.0 years (2023). Source: World Bank.
Which country is bigger, Korea, Rep. or Japan?
Japan is larger by area. Korea, Rep. covers 100,450 km2, while Japan covers 377,969 km2. Source: World Bank.