Japan has a population of 124M (ranked 12/197), compared with 26.5M in North Korea (ranked 56/197). Japan's land area is 140,761 sq mi versus 46,491 sq mi for North Korea (ranked 61st vs. 97th).
By GDP, Japan ranks 4/197 ($4.03T) and North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B). By GDP per capita, Japan ranks 38/197 ($32,487), while North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319).
Main facts and rankings
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
122677250
|
26659144
|
| Population rank | 12/197 | 57/197 |
| GDP |
$4.03T
2024 |
$34.9B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 4/197 | 106/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$32,487
2024 |
$1,319
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 38/197 | 168/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$52,039
2024 |
$1,700
2015 |
| Government debt |
$9.51T
2024 |
n/a |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
236.1%
2024 |
n/a |
| Government debt per person |
$76,704
2024 |
n/a |
| Government debt per person rank | 3/185 | n/a |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$23,653
2026 |
$1,426
2026 |
| Land area | 140,761 sq mi | 46,491 sq mi |
| Population density |
872 ppl/mi²
2026 |
573 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
1.2
2023 |
1.78
2023 |
| Median age |
50.4 years
2024 |
37.3 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
85.1 years
2026 |
74 years
2026 |
Japan and North Korea: Comparison Charts
Japan and North Korea economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | $4,027,597,523,551 | $34,943,120,000 |
| 2023 | $4,213,167,237,906 | $32,155,360,000 |
| 2022 | $4,262,463,317,797 | $28,971,360,000 |
| 2021 | $5,039,148,168,861 | $32,301,720,000 |
| 2020 | $5,054,068,005,376 | $27,728,240,000 |
| 2019 | $5,117,993,853,017 | $28,222,880,000 |
| 2018 | $5,040,880,939,325 | $28,536,400,000 |
| 2017 | $4,930,837,369,151 | $29,105,440,000 |
| 2016 | $5,003,677,627,544 | $28,882,640,000 |
| 2015 | $4,444,930,651,964 | $30,723,030,000 |
| 2014 | $4,896,994,405,353 | $30,554,460,000 |
| 2013 | $5,212,328,181,166 | $30,588,922,000 |
| 2012 | $6,272,362,996,105 | $29,890,710,000 |
| 2011 | $6,233,147,172,341 | $29,005,020,000 |
| 2010 | $5,759,071,769,013 | $25,995,513,000 |
| 2009 | $5,289,493,117,994 | $23,356,470,000 |
| 2008 | $5,106,679,115,127 | - |
| 2007 | $4,579,750,920,355 | - |
| 2006 | $4,601,663,122,650 | - |
| 2005 | $4,831,467,035,390 | - |
| 2004 | $4,893,116,005,657 | - |
| 2003 | $4,519,561,645,254 | - |
| 2002 | $4,182,846,045,874 | - |
| 2001 | $4,374,711,694,091 | - |
| 2000 | $4,968,359,075,957 | - |
| 1999 | $4,635,982,224,064 | - |
| 1998 | $4,098,362,709,531 | - |
| 1997 | $4,492,448,605,639 | - |
| 1996 | $4,923,391,533,852 | - |
| 1995 | $5,545,563,663,890 | - |
| 1994 | $4,998,797,547,741 | - |
| 1993 | $4,536,940,479,038 | - |
| 1992 | $3,980,702,922,118 | - |
| 1991 | $3,648,065,760,649 | - |
| 1990 | $3,185,904,656,664 | - |
| 1989 | $3,109,455,047,824 | - |
| 1988 | $3,125,724,434,401 | - |
| 1987 | $2,580,748,422,781 | - |
| 1986 | $2,120,083,812,110 | - |
| 1985 | $1,427,019,759,717 | - |
| 1984 | $1,345,824,500,837 | - |
| 1983 | $1,270,859,919,743 | - |
| 1982 | $1,158,731,426,906 | - |
| 1981 | $1,245,221,410,764 | - |
| 1980 | $1,129,377,244,854 | - |
| 1979 | $1,077,910,077,676 | - |
| 1978 | $1,035,611,588,217 | - |
| 1977 | $737,069,290,928 | - |
| 1976 | $598,883,902,156 | - |
| 1975 | $532,861,438,885 | - |
| 1974 | $490,035,789,970 | - |
| 1973 | $441,460,582,536 | - |
| 1972 | $324,933,841,269 | - |
| 1971 | $245,364,056,622 | - |
| 1970 | $217,223,652,719 | - |
| 1969 | $184,298,841,305 | - |
| 1968 | $156,897,496,759 | - |
| 1967 | $132,475,614,227 | - |
| 1966 | $113,046,784,179 | - |
| 1965 | $97,338,107,606 | - |
| 1964 | $87,490,590,818 | - |
| 1963 | $74,379,284,603 | - |
| 1962 | $64,987,857,542 | - |
| 1961 | $57,266,758,180 | - |
| 1960 | $47,419,238,274 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/japan/north-korea | CC BY 
Japan and North Korea economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | $32,487 | $1,319 |
| 2023 | $33,836 | $1,217 |
| 2022 | $34,066 | $1,100 |
| 2021 | $40,095 | $1,231 |
| 2020 | $40,029 | $1,061 |
| 2019 | $40,416 | $1,084 |
| 2018 | $39,751 | $1,100 |
| 2017 | $38,834 | $1,127 |
| 2016 | $39,375 | $1,124 |
| 2015 | $34,961 | $1,201 |
| 2014 | $38,475 | $1,201 |
| 2013 | $40,899 | $1,208 |
| 2012 | $49,145 | $1,186 |
| 2011 | $48,760 | $1,156 |
| 2010 | $44,968 | $1,040 |
| 2009 | $41,309 | $939 |
| 2008 | $39,876 | - |
| 2007 | $35,779 | - |
| 2006 | $35,992 | - |
| 2005 | $37,813 | - |
| 2004 | $38,299 | - |
| 2003 | $35,387 | - |
| 2002 | $32,821 | - |
| 2001 | $34,406 | - |
| 2000 | $39,169 | - |
| 1999 | $36,610 | - |
| 1998 | $32,424 | - |
| 1997 | $35,638 | - |
| 1996 | $39,150 | - |
| 1995 | $44,198 | - |
| 1994 | $39,934 | - |
| 1993 | $36,345 | - |
| 1992 | $31,993 | - |
| 1991 | $29,428 | - |
| 1990 | $25,801 | - |
| 1989 | $25,266 | - |
| 1988 | $25,500 | - |
| 1987 | $21,142 | - |
| 1986 | $17,452 | - |
| 1985 | $11,809 | - |
| 1984 | $11,207 | - |
| 1983 | $10,652 | - |
| 1982 | $9,780 | - |
| 1981 | $10,583 | - |
| 1980 | $9,669 | - |
| 1979 | $9,301 | - |
| 1978 | $9,012 | - |
| 1977 | $6,473 | - |
| 1976 | $5,310 | - |
| 1975 | $4,776 | - |
| 1974 | $4,448 | - |
| 1973 | $4,061 | - |
| 1972 | $3,031 | - |
| 1971 | $2,321 | - |
| 1970 | $2,101 | - |
| 1969 | $1,803 | - |
| 1968 | $1,553 | - |
| 1967 | $1,326 | - |
| 1966 | $1,144 | - |
| 1965 | $994 | - |
| 1964 | $903 | - |
| 1963 | $776 | - |
| 1962 | $685 | - |
| 1961 | $609 | - |
| 1960 | $509 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/japan/north-korea | CC BY
Japan vs. North Korea life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2026 | 85.1 | 74 |
| 2025 | 85 | 73.9 |
| 2024 | 84.9 | 73.7 |
| 2023 | 84.7 | 73.6 |
| 2022 | 84.1 | 73.6 |
| 2021 | 84.6 | 73.4 |
| 2020 | 84.7 | 72.8 |
| 2019 | 84.4 | 72.9 |
| 2018 | 84.3 | 73 |
| 2017 | 84.2 | 73 |
| 2016 | 84.1 | 73 |
| 2015 | 83.9 | 72.8 |
| 2014 | 83.6 | 72.5 |
| 2013 | 83.4 | 71.9 |
| 2012 | 83.2 | 71.3 |
| 2011 | 82.7 | 70.8 |
| 2010 | 82.9 | 70.2 |
| 2009 | 83 | 69.7 |
| 2008 | 82.6 | 69.3 |
| 2007 | 82.5 | 69 |
| 2006 | 82.4 | 69.1 |
| 2005 | 82 | 69.2 |
| 2004 | 82.1 | 69.3 |
| 2003 | 81.9 | 69.4 |
| 2002 | 81.8 | 60.9 |
| 2001 | 81.5 | 60.9 |
| 2000 | 81.2 | 60.9 |
| 1999 | 80.6 | 60.9 |
| 1998 | 80.6 | 60.9 |
| 1997 | 80.6 | 60.9 |
| 1996 | 80.4 | 60.8 |
| 1995 | 79.7 | 60.8 |
| 1994 | 79.8 | 70.5 |
| 1993 | 79.4 | 70.8 |
| 1992 | 79.3 | 71 |
| 1991 | 79.3 | 70.7 |
| 1990 | 79 | 70.5 |
| 1989 | 79 | 70.3 |
| 1988 | 78.5 | 70.1 |
| 1987 | 78.6 | 69.8 |
| 1986 | 78.2 | 69.5 |
| 1985 | 77.8 | 69.2 |
| 1984 | 77.5 | 68.9 |
| 1983 | 77.1 | 68.5 |
| 1982 | 77.1 | 68.1 |
| 1981 | 76.6 | 67.7 |
| 1980 | 76.1 | 67.2 |
| 1979 | 76.2 | 66.7 |
| 1978 | 75.7 | 66.3 |
| 1977 | 75.3 | 65.8 |
| 1976 | 74.8 | 65.3 |
| 1975 | 74.4 | 64.8 |
| 1974 | 73.8 | 64.3 |
| 1973 | 73.4 | 63.8 |
| 1972 | 73.3 | 63.3 |
| 1971 | 72.8 | 62.7 |
| 1970 | 72 | 62 |
| 1969 | 71.9 | 61.4 |
| 1968 | 71.7 | 60.8 |
| 1967 | 71.4 | 60.1 |
| 1966 | 71.1 | 59.4 |
| 1965 | 70.3 | 58.8 |
| 1964 | 70.2 | 58.2 |
| 1963 | 69.7 | 57.6 |
| 1962 | 68.7 | 57 |
| 1961 | 68.4 | 56.4 |
| 1960 | 67.7 | 55.8 |
| 1959 | 67.5 | 55.2 |
| 1958 | 67 | 54.5 |
| 1957 | 65.4 | 53.7 |
| 1956 | 65.6 | 52.8 |
| 1955 | 65.7 | 51.8 |
| 1954 | 64.5 | 50.6 |
| 1953 | 63.3 | 40.3 |
| 1952 | 63 | 32.8 |
| 1951 | 61 | 17.7 |
| 1950 | 59.3 | 14.2 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/japan/north-korea | CC BY
Japan and North Korea population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | 123,975,371 | 26,498,823 |
| 2023 | 124,516,650 | 26,418,204 |
| 2022 | 125,124,989 | 26,328,845 |
| 2021 | 125,681,593 | 26,232,534 |
| 2020 | 126,261,000 | 26,136,312 |
| 2019 | 126,633,000 | 26,037,632 |
| 2018 | 126,811,000 | 25,931,147 |
| 2017 | 126,972,000 | 25,817,709 |
| 2016 | 127,076,000 | 25,698,326 |
| 2015 | 127,141,000 | 25,575,350 |
| 2014 | 127,276,000 | 25,451,262 |
| 2013 | 127,445,000 | 25,329,451 |
| 2012 | 127,629,000 | 25,211,728 |
| 2011 | 127,833,000 | 25,097,874 |
| 2010 | 128,070,000 | 24,987,258 |
| 2009 | 128,047,000 | 24,878,332 |
| 2008 | 128,063,000 | 24,764,618 |
| 2007 | 128,001,000 | 24,646,383 |
| 2006 | 127,854,000 | 24,524,507 |
| 2005 | 127,773,000 | 24,396,433 |
| 2004 | 127,761,000 | 24,254,943 |
| 2003 | 127,718,000 | 24,090,380 |
| 2002 | 127,445,000 | 23,943,973 |
| 2001 | 127,149,000 | 23,815,358 |
| 2000 | 126,843,000 | 23,665,910 |
| 1999 | 126,631,000 | 23,497,599 |
| 1998 | 126,400,000 | 23,311,564 |
| 1997 | 126,057,000 | 23,110,830 |
| 1996 | 125,757,000 | 22,895,746 |
| 1995 | 125,472,000 | 22,669,304 |
| 1994 | 125,178,000 | 22,393,975 |
| 1993 | 124,829,000 | 22,073,352 |
| 1992 | 124,425,000 | 21,750,911 |
| 1991 | 123,964,000 | 21,428,638 |
| 1990 | 123,478,000 | 21,112,137 |
| 1989 | 123,069,000 | 20,804,367 |
| 1988 | 122,578,000 | 20,503,161 |
| 1987 | 122,069,000 | 20,205,483 |
| 1986 | 121,482,000 | 19,910,855 |
| 1985 | 120,837,000 | 19,620,388 |
| 1984 | 120,083,000 | 19,335,043 |
| 1983 | 119,307,000 | 19,054,034 |
| 1982 | 118,480,000 | 18,776,357 |
| 1981 | 117,661,000 | 18,501,295 |
| 1980 | 116,807,000 | 18,236,786 |
| 1979 | 115,890,000 | 17,983,470 |
| 1978 | 114,913,000 | 17,735,995 |
| 1977 | 113,872,000 | 17,492,798 |
| 1976 | 112,775,000 | 17,243,450 |
| 1975 | 111,573,000 | 16,971,055 |
| 1974 | 110,162,000 | 16,673,121 |
| 1973 | 108,707,000 | 16,350,367 |
| 1972 | 107,188,000 | 15,975,069 |
| 1971 | 105,697,000 | 15,572,457 |
| 1970 | 103,403,000 | 15,172,775 |
| 1969 | 102,219,000 | 14,767,615 |
| 1968 | 101,011,000 | 14,365,596 |
| 1967 | 99,879,000 | 13,958,350 |
| 1966 | 98,851,000 | 13,569,094 |
| 1965 | 97,952,000 | 13,219,369 |
| 1964 | 96,903,000 | 12,889,770 |
| 1963 | 95,900,000 | 12,567,057 |
| 1962 | 94,933,000 | 12,262,882 |
| 1961 | 94,055,000 | 11,990,713 |
| 1960 | 93,216,000 | 11,722,953 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/japan/north-korea | CC BY
Fertility rates in Japan and North Korea
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2023 | 1.2 | 1.78 |
| 2022 | 1.26 | 1.8 |
| 2021 | 1.3 | 1.81 |
| 2020 | 1.33 | 1.82 |
| 2019 | 1.36 | 1.83 |
| 2018 | 1.42 | 1.83 |
| 2017 | 1.43 | 1.85 |
| 2016 | 1.44 | 1.86 |
| 2015 | 1.45 | 1.86 |
| 2014 | 1.42 | 1.87 |
| 2013 | 1.43 | 1.88 |
| 2012 | 1.41 | 1.88 |
| 2011 | 1.39 | 1.88 |
| 2010 | 1.39 | 1.89 |
| 2009 | 1.37 | 1.91 |
| 2008 | 1.37 | 1.97 |
| 2007 | 1.34 | 1.94 |
| 2006 | 1.32 | 1.94 |
| 2005 | 1.26 | 1.87 |
| 2004 | 1.29 | 1.9 |
| 2003 | 1.29 | 1.91 |
| 2002 | 1.32 | 1.92 |
| 2001 | 1.33 | 1.94 |
| 2000 | 1.36 | 1.94 |
| 1999 | 1.34 | 1.97 |
| 1998 | 1.38 | 1.99 |
| 1997 | 1.39 | 2.03 |
| 1996 | 1.43 | 2.09 |
| 1995 | 1.42 | 2.15 |
| 1994 | 1.5 | 2.18 |
| 1993 | 1.46 | 2.22 |
| 1992 | 1.5 | 2.29 |
| 1991 | 1.53 | 2.35 |
| 1990 | 1.54 | 2.39 |
| 1989 | 1.57 | 2.41 |
| 1988 | 1.66 | 2.47 |
| 1987 | 1.69 | 2.53 |
| 1986 | 1.72 | 2.59 |
| 1985 | 1.76 | 2.65 |
| 1984 | 1.81 | 2.71 |
| 1983 | 1.8 | 2.78 |
| 1982 | 1.77 | 2.85 |
| 1981 | 1.74 | 2.92 |
| 1980 | 1.75 | 2.84 |
| 1979 | 1.77 | 2.85 |
| 1978 | 1.79 | 2.79 |
| 1977 | 1.8 | 2.77 |
| 1976 | 1.85 | 2.84 |
| 1975 | 1.91 | 3.05 |
| 1974 | 2.05 | 3.14 |
| 1973 | 2.14 | 3.35 |
| 1972 | 2.14 | 3.89 |
| 1971 | 2.16 | 3.74 |
| 1970 | 2.13 | 3.85 |
| 1969 | 2.13 | 3.86 |
| 1968 | 2.13 | 3.87 |
| 1967 | 2.23 | 4.05 |
| 1966 | 1.58 | 3.71 |
| 1965 | 2.14 | 3.56 |
| 1964 | 2.05 | 3.55 |
| 1963 | 2 | 3.63 |
| 1962 | 1.98 | 3.41 |
| 1961 | 1.96 | 3.26 |
| 1960 | 2 | 3.57 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/japan/north-korea | CC BY
Japan and North Korea demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | 50.4 | 37.3 |
| 2023 | 50 | 37.1 |
| 2022 | 49.5 | 36.8 |
| 2021 | 49.1 | 36.6 |
| 2020 | 48.7 | 36.4 |
| 2019 | 48.3 | 36.2 |
| 2018 | 48 | 35.9 |
| 2017 | 47.6 | 35.7 |
| 2016 | 47.3 | 35.4 |
| 2015 | 47 | 35.2 |
| 2014 | 46.6 | 35 |
| 2013 | 46.2 | 34.7 |
| 2012 | 45.8 | 34.5 |
| 2011 | 45.5 | 34.3 |
| 2010 | 45.2 | 34 |
| 2009 | 44.9 | 33.7 |
| 2008 | 44.6 | 33.3 |
| 2007 | 44.2 | 32.9 |
| 2006 | 43.9 | 32.5 |
| 2005 | 43.6 | 32.1 |
| 2004 | 43.2 | 31.8 |
| 2003 | 42.8 | 31.4 |
| 2002 | 42.5 | 31 |
| 2001 | 42.1 | 30.5 |
| 2000 | 41.8 | 30.1 |
| 1999 | 41.4 | 29.6 |
| 1998 | 41 | 29.2 |
| 1997 | 40.7 | 28.8 |
| 1996 | 40.3 | 28.3 |
| 1995 | 40 | 28 |
| 1994 | 39.6 | 27.6 |
| 1993 | 39.2 | 27.2 |
| 1992 | 38.7 | 26.8 |
| 1991 | 38.2 | 26.4 |
| 1990 | 37.7 | 26 |
| 1989 | 37.2 | 25.6 |
| 1988 | 36.8 | 25.1 |
| 1987 | 36.3 | 24.8 |
| 1986 | 35.9 | 24.5 |
| 1985 | 35.4 | 24.2 |
| 1984 | 34.9 | 23.9 |
| 1983 | 34.3 | 23.5 |
| 1982 | 33.7 | 23.1 |
| 1981 | 33.1 | 22.8 |
| 1980 | 32.8 | 22.5 |
| 1979 | 32.4 | 22.2 |
| 1978 | 32 | 21.8 |
| 1977 | 31.5 | 21.4 |
| 1976 | 30.9 | 21.1 |
| 1975 | 30.6 | 20.9 |
| 1974 | 30.4 | 20.7 |
| 1973 | 30.2 | 20.7 |
| 1972 | 29.9 | 20.9 |
| 1971 | 29.6 | 21.2 |
| 1970 | 29.2 | 21.4 |
| 1969 | 28.9 | 21.4 |
| 1968 | 28.6 | 21.4 |
| 1967 | 28.4 | 21.4 |
| 1966 | 28 | 21.3 |
| 1965 | 27.6 | 21.2 |
| 1964 | 27.2 | 21 |
| 1963 | 26.9 | 20.8 |
| 1962 | 26.5 | 20.6 |
| 1961 | 26.2 | 20.2 |
| 1960 | 25.8 | 19.9 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/japan/north-korea | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Japan and North Korea.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$4.46T
2024 |
n/a |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
39.1%
2024 |
n/a |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
3.24%
2022 |
n/a |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
1.37%
2024 |
n/a |
| Armed forces personnel |
261,000
2020 |
1,469,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-1.53%
2024 |
n/a |
| Unemployment rate |
2.54%
2024 |
25.6%
2013 |
| Services, % of GDP |
69.8%
2023 |
n/a |
| Industry, % of GDP |
28.6%
2023 |
n/a |
| Economic freedom index |
70.3
2026 |
3.1
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
23.9%
2020 |
n/a |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
2.4%
2020 |
n/a |
| Number of millionaires |
2,732,000
2025 |
n/a |
| Percentage of millionaires |
2.62%
2025 |
n/a |
| Number of billionaires |
42
2025 |
n/a |
| Percentage of billionaires |
0.00004%
2025 |
n/a |
| Listed domestic companies |
3,971
2024 |
n/a |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$6.31T
2024 |
n/a |
| Total reserves including gold |
$1.23T
2024 |
n/a |
| Personal remittances received |
$4.64B
2024 |
n/a |
| International tourist arrivals |
4,115,799
2020 |
n/a |
| International tourism as share of exports |
1.43%
2020 |
n/a |
| Banked people share |
98.5%
2024 |
n/a |
Energy
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
3,039 kg
2023 |
641 kg
2022 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$16.7
2023 |
n/a |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
972 megatons
2024 |
66.2 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
7.84 tons
2024 |
2.5 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
84.8%
2023 |
85.1%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
8.8%
2021 |
14.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
10.8%
2023 |
8.5%
2022 |
| Net energy imports use share |
87.3%
2023 |
4.9%
2022 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
7,655 kWh
2023 |
830 kWh
2022 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
21.1%
2021 |
63.2%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
8.48%
2023 |
62.7%
2022 |
| Nuclear share |
8.38%
2023 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
100%
2023 |
57.5%
2023 |
Society
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
1.53%
2024 |
0.33%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
+140,579
2025 |
-2,787
2025 |
| Urban population |
92.2%
2024 |
63.9%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
48.8:51.2
2024 |
49.5:50.5
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.65 ft
2025 |
5.73 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.2 ft
2025 |
5.29 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
89.3
2026 |
10.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
71
2025 |
15
2025 |
| Higher education index |
98
2026 |
10
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
0.23
2023 |
4.4
2015 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
3.6
2019 |
24.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
172
2025 |
48
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
99%
2002 |
100%
2018 |
| English speaking |
15%
2025 |
0%
2025 |
| People using the Internet |
87%
2023 |
0%
2012 |
Health
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$3,638
2023 |
n/a |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$445
2023 |
n/a |
| Life expectancy |
85.1 years
2026 |
74 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
0%
2023 |
n/a |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
2.65
2022 |
3.63
2017 |
| Age at first childbirth |
30.7 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
3
2023 |
67
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
2.4
2023 |
18
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
5.57%
2022 |
11.1%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
8.1%
2024 |
9.9%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
78
2026 |
42
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
19.2%
2022 |
16.5%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
6.38 liters
2020 |
3.87 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Japan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.24%
2026 |
0.08%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
1,135 sq mi
2024 |
1,754 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
17,788 sq mi
2026 |
10,021 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
96,275 sq mi
2026 |
23,036 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
757,310 mi
2021 |
15,879 mi
2006 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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