The latest officially reported population of Japan was 123,975,371 in 2024 vs 568,847 people in Malta in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Japan's population is 122,677,250 people compared to 581,729 in Malta.
Population statistics:
- Japan's population is 210.9 times bigger than Malta's.
- Japan is ranked the 12th most populous country in the world, while Malta is the 167th.
- The countries together account for 1.49% of the world: 1.48% for Japan vs 0.007% for Malta.
- For the last 10 years, Japan has had an average growth rate of -0.25% per year vs +2.69% in Malta.
- Since 2006, the population of Japan has decreased from 128M people to 123M (4.05% decline), while Malta has grown from 405K to 582K (43.5% growth).
Japan vs Malta: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | 76,978,998 | 383,244 |
| 2099 | 77,363,458 | 386,421 |
| 2098 | 77,742,445 | 389,613 |
| 2097 | 78,118,375 | 392,917 |
| 2096 | 78,498,614 | 396,295 |
| 2095 | 78,875,245 | 399,956 |
| 2094 | 79,250,325 | 403,710 |
| 2093 | 79,628,057 | 407,487 |
| 2092 | 80,007,967 | 411,340 |
| 2091 | 80,383,529 | 415,407 |
| 2090 | 80,760,724 | 419,592 |
| 2089 | 81,140,553 | 423,826 |
| 2088 | 81,521,696 | 428,052 |
| 2087 | 81,908,373 | 432,556 |
| 2086 | 82,304,497 | 437,240 |
| 2085 | 82,709,534 | 441,882 |
| 2084 | 83,123,058 | 446,649 |
| 2083 | 83,544,006 | 451,551 |
| 2082 | 83,980,325 | 456,344 |
| 2081 | 84,429,305 | 461,335 |
| 2080 | 84,899,768 | 466,229 |
| 2079 | 85,387,247 | 471,100 |
| 2078 | 85,897,934 | 475,924 |
| 2077 | 86,434,291 | 480,771 |
| 2076 | 86,993,007 | 485,655 |
| 2075 | 87,577,777 | 490,208 |
| 2074 | 88,190,392 | 494,656 |
| 2073 | 88,834,763 | 499,046 |
| 2072 | 89,499,356 | 503,370 |
| 2071 | 90,184,464 | 507,604 |
| 2070 | 90,899,136 | 511,683 |
| 2069 | 91,625,421 | 515,748 |
| 2068 | 92,367,969 | 519,737 |
| 2067 | 93,113,499 | 523,520 |
| 2066 | 93,869,240 | 527,140 |
| 2065 | 94,633,430 | 530,620 |
| 2064 | 95,391,433 | 533,923 |
| 2063 | 96,148,081 | 537,029 |
| 2062 | 96,902,907 | 540,145 |
| 2061 | 97,654,031 | 543,018 |
| 2060 | 98,400,894 | 545,828 |
| 2059 | 99,144,216 | 548,562 |
| 2058 | 99,868,968 | 551,048 |
| 2057 | 100,585,601 | 553,389 |
| 2056 | 101,295,868 | 555,804 |
| 2055 | 101,989,736 | 558,190 |
| 2054 | 102,683,462 | 560,309 |
| 2053 | 103,359,083 | 562,511 |
| 2052 | 104,036,901 | 564,772 |
| 2051 | 104,706,698 | 567,078 |
| 2050 | 105,377,283 | 569,189 |
| 2049 | 106,053,011 | 571,016 |
| 2048 | 106,731,207 | 572,923 |
| 2047 | 107,419,237 | 574,977 |
| 2046 | 108,115,358 | 576,728 |
| 2045 | 108,820,982 | 578,442 |
| 2044 | 109,529,333 | 580,046 |
| 2043 | 110,245,586 | 581,639 |
| 2042 | 110,968,174 | 583,042 |
| 2041 | 111,704,629 | 584,485 |
| 2040 | 112,438,759 | 585,747 |
| 2039 | 113,175,948 | 587,035 |
| 2038 | 113,915,783 | 588,223 |
| 2037 | 114,662,374 | 589,140 |
| 2036 | 115,410,956 | 589,886 |
| 2035 | 116,162,381 | 590,469 |
| 2034 | 116,911,001 | 590,868 |
| 2033 | 117,652,676 | 590,759 |
| 2032 | 118,393,188 | 590,166 |
| 2031 | 119,127,425 | 589,366 |
| 2030 | 119,856,131 | 588,281 |
| 2029 | 120,574,242 | 586,978 |
| 2028 | 121,287,543 | 585,310 |
| 2027 | 121,989,133 | 583,310 |
| 2026 | 122,677,250 | 581,144 |
| 2025 | 123,339,586 | 575,661 |
| 2024 | 123,975,371 | 568,847 |
| 2023 | 124,516,650 | 552,747 |
| 2022 | 125,124,989 | 531,113 |
| 2021 | 125,681,593 | 518,150 |
| 2020 | 126,261,000 | 515,490 |
| 2019 | 126,633,000 | 503,912 |
| 2018 | 126,811,000 | 483,903 |
| 2017 | 126,972,000 | 467,106 |
| 2016 | 127,076,000 | 454,505 |
| 2015 | 127,141,000 | 444,220 |
| 2014 | 127,276,000 | 433,481 |
| 2013 | 127,445,000 | 424,810 |
| 2012 | 127,629,000 | 420,028 |
| 2011 | 127,833,000 | 416,268 |
| 2010 | 128,070,000 | 414,508 |
| 2009 | 128,047,000 | 412,477 |
| 2008 | 128,063,000 | 409,379 |
| 2007 | 128,001,000 | 406,724 |
| 2006 | 127,854,000 | 405,308 |
| 2005 | 127,773,000 | 403,834 |
| 2004 | 127,761,000 | 401,268 |
| 2003 | 127,718,000 | 398,582 |
| 2002 | 127,445,000 | 395,969 |
| 2001 | 127,149,000 | 393,028 |
| 2000 | 126,843,000 | 390,087 |
| 1999 | 126,631,000 | 387,578 |
| 1998 | 126,400,000 | 385,287 |
| 1997 | 126,057,000 | 382,791 |
| 1996 | 125,757,000 | 379,905 |
| 1995 | 125,472,000 | 377,419 |
| 1994 | 125,178,000 | 374,797 |
| 1993 | 124,829,000 | 371,308 |
| 1992 | 124,425,000 | 367,618 |
| 1991 | 123,964,000 | 363,845 |
| 1990 | 123,478,000 | 354,170 |
| 1989 | 123,069,000 | 350,722 |
| 1988 | 122,578,000 | 347,325 |
| 1987 | 122,069,000 | 344,485 |
| 1986 | 121,482,000 | 342,121 |
| 1985 | 120,837,000 | 336,452 |
| 1984 | 120,083,000 | 330,593 |
| 1983 | 119,307,000 | 330,524 |
| 1982 | 118,480,000 | 325,898 |
| 1981 | 117,661,000 | 318,982 |
| 1980 | 116,807,000 | 316,645 |
| 1979 | 115,890,000 | 313,342 |
| 1978 | 114,913,000 | 310,182 |
| 1977 | 113,872,000 | 306,970 |
| 1976 | 112,775,000 | 305,774 |
| 1975 | 111,573,000 | 304,222 |
| 1974 | 110,162,000 | 301,996 |
| 1973 | 108,707,000 | 302,200 |
| 1972 | 107,188,000 | 302,450 |
| 1971 | 105,697,000 | 302,700 |
| 1970 | 103,403,000 | 302,650 |
| 1969 | 102,219,000 | 304,300 |
| 1968 | 101,011,000 | 307,900 |
| 1967 | 99,879,000 | 311,550 |
| 1966 | 98,851,000 | 315,200 |
| 1965 | 97,952,000 | 318,800 |
| 1964 | 96,903,000 | 321,250 |
| 1963 | 95,900,000 | 322,550 |
| 1962 | 94,933,000 | 323,900 |
| 1961 | 94,055,000 | 325,250 |
| 1960 | 93,216,000 | 326,550 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/japan/malta | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Japan decreased by 778,000 people (a 0.61% decline), while Malta gained 49,197 people (a 12.1% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Japan lost 4,398,750 people (a 3.46% decline), while Malta's population increased by 127,224 people (a 28% growth).
Japan was ranked 10th most populous country in 2006 and is 12th in 2026. Malta was ranked 168th in 2006 and ranked 167th now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Japan's population will shrink by 14.1% to 105,377,283 people with a rank change from 12th to 17th. The population of Malta will decrease by 2.16% to 569,189 people and will still be ranked 167th.
Malta is projected to reach its peak in 2034 at 591K people, while Japan's population already peaked in 2010 at 128M people and is projected to decrease to 77M people by 2100.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
| 2100 | -0.5% | -0.82% |
| 2099 | -0.49% | -0.82% |
| 2098 | -0.48% | -0.84% |
| 2097 | -0.48% | -0.85% |
| 2096 | -0.48% | -0.92% |
| 2095 | -0.47% | -0.93% |
| 2094 | -0.47% | -0.93% |
| 2093 | -0.47% | -0.94% |
| 2092 | -0.47% | -0.98% |
| 2091 | -0.47% | -1% |
| 2090 | -0.47% | -1% |
| 2089 | -0.47% | -0.99% |
| 2088 | -0.47% | -1.04% |
| 2087 | -0.48% | -1.07% |
| 2086 | -0.49% | -1.05% |
| 2085 | -0.5% | -1.07% |
| 2084 | -0.5% | -1.09% |
| 2083 | -0.52% | -1.05% |
| 2082 | -0.53% | -1.08% |
| 2081 | -0.55% | -1.05% |
| 2080 | -0.57% | -1.03% |
| 2079 | -0.59% | -1.01% |
| 2078 | -0.62% | -1.01% |
| 2077 | -0.64% | -1.01% |
| 2076 | -0.67% | -0.93% |
| 2075 | -0.69% | -0.9% |
| 2074 | -0.73% | -0.88% |
| 2073 | -0.74% | -0.86% |
| 2072 | -0.76% | -0.83% |
| 2071 | -0.79% | -0.8% |
| 2070 | -0.79% | -0.79% |
| 2069 | -0.8% | -0.77% |
| 2068 | -0.8% | -0.72% |
| 2067 | -0.81% | -0.69% |
| 2066 | -0.81% | -0.66% |
| 2065 | -0.79% | -0.62% |
| 2064 | -0.79% | -0.58% |
| 2063 | -0.78% | -0.58% |
| 2062 | -0.77% | -0.53% |
| 2061 | -0.76% | -0.51% |
| 2060 | -0.75% | -0.5% |
| 2059 | -0.73% | -0.45% |
| 2058 | -0.71% | -0.42% |
| 2057 | -0.7% | -0.43% |
| 2056 | -0.68% | -0.43% |
| 2055 | -0.68% | -0.38% |
| 2054 | -0.65% | -0.39% |
| 2053 | -0.65% | -0.4% |
| 2052 | -0.64% | -0.41% |
| 2051 | -0.64% | -0.37% |
| 2050 | -0.64% | -0.32% |
| 2049 | -0.64% | -0.33% |
| 2048 | -0.64% | -0.36% |
| 2047 | -0.64% | -0.3% |
| 2046 | -0.65% | -0.3% |
| 2045 | -0.65% | -0.28% |
| 2044 | -0.65% | -0.27% |
| 2043 | -0.65% | -0.24% |
| 2042 | -0.66% | -0.25% |
| 2041 | -0.65% | -0.22% |
| 2040 | -0.65% | -0.22% |
| 2039 | -0.65% | -0.2% |
| 2038 | -0.65% | -0.16% |
| 2037 | -0.65% | -0.13% |
| 2036 | -0.65% | -0.1% |
| 2035 | -0.64% | -0.07% |
| 2034 | -0.63% | 0.02% |
| 2033 | -0.63% | 0.1% |
| 2032 | -0.62% | 0.14% |
| 2031 | -0.61% | 0.18% |
| 2030 | -0.6% | 0.22% |
| 2029 | -0.59% | 0.29% |
| 2028 | -0.58% | 0.34% |
| 2027 | -0.56% | 0.37% |
| 2026 | -0.54% | 0.95% |
| 2025 | -0.51% | 1.2% |
| 2024 | -0.43% | 2.91% |
| 2023 | -0.49% | 4.07% |
| 2022 | -0.44% | 2.5% |
| 2021 | -0.46% | 0.52% |
| 2020 | -0.29% | 2.3% |
| 2019 | -0.14% | 4.13% |
| 2018 | -0.13% | 3.6% |
| 2017 | -0.08% | 2.77% |
| 2016 | -0.05% | 2.32% |
| 2015 | -0.11% | 2.48% |
| 2014 | -0.13% | 2.04% |
| 2013 | -0.14% | 1.14% |
| 2012 | -0.16% | 0.9% |
| 2011 | -0.19% | 0.42% |
| 2010 | 0.02% | 0.49% |
| 2009 | -0.01% | 0.76% |
| 2008 | 0.05% | 0.65% |
| 2007 | 0.11% | 0.35% |
| 2006 | 0.06% | 0.37% |
| 2005 | 0.009% | 0.64% |
| 2004 | 0.03% | 0.67% |
| 2003 | 0.21% | 0.66% |
| 2002 | 0.23% | 0.75% |
| 2001 | 0.24% | 0.75% |
| 2000 | 0.17% | 0.65% |
| 1999 | 0.18% | 0.59% |
| 1998 | 0.27% | 0.65% |
| 1997 | 0.24% | 0.76% |
| 1996 | 0.23% | 0.66% |
| 1995 | 0.23% | 0.7% |
| 1994 | 0.28% | 0.94% |
| 1993 | 0.32% | 1% |
| 1992 | 0.37% | 1.04% |
| 1991 | 0.39% | 2.73% |
| 1990 | 0.33% | 0.98% |
| 1989 | 0.4% | 0.98% |
| 1988 | 0.42% | 0.82% |
| 1987 | 0.48% | 0.69% |
| 1986 | 0.53% | 1.68% |
| 1985 | 0.63% | 1.77% |
| 1984 | 0.65% | 0.02% |
| 1983 | 0.7% | 1.42% |
| 1982 | 0.7% | 2.17% |
| 1981 | 0.73% | 0.74% |
| 1980 | 0.79% | 1.05% |
| 1979 | 0.85% | 1.02% |
| 1978 | 0.91% | 1.05% |
| 1977 | 0.97% | 0.39% |
| 1976 | 1.08% | 0.51% |
| 1975 | 1.28% | 0.74% |
| 1974 | 1.34% | -0.07% |
| 1973 | 1.42% | -0.08% |
| 1972 | 1.41% | -0.08% |
| 1971 | 2.22% | 0.02% |
| 1970 | 1.16% | -0.54% |
| 1969 | 1.2% | -1.17% |
| 1968 | 1.13% | -1.17% |
| 1967 | 1.04% | -1.16% |
| 1966 | 0.92% | -1.13% |
| 1965 | 1.08% | -0.76% |
| 1964 | 1.05% | -0.4% |
| 1963 | 1.02% | -0.42% |
| 1962 | 0.93% | -0.42% |
| 1961 | 0.9% | -0.4% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/japan/malta | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Japan declined by 0.43%, while Malta's population grew by 2.91%.
Live population counters
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
122677250
|
581729
|
| Population rank | 12/197 | 167/197 |
| Percent of world population | 1.48% | 0.007% |
| One net population change |
58.3 seconds
|
32.6 minutes
|
| One birth every |
42.2 seconds
|
1.96 hours
|
| One death every |
19.5 seconds
|
2.17 hours
|
| Daily growth/decline | -1,483 | +44 |
| Annual growth/decline | -541,279 | +16,100 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | -0.43% | +2.91% |
| Population growth rate rank | 185/197 | 19/197 |
| One migration net change every |
3.75 minutes
|
1.7 hours
|
| Annual migration change | +140,579 | +5,161 |
| Net migration rank | 10/196 | 52/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 3,409,529 | 199,466 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 19/195 | 112/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 2.8% | 37% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 120/195 | 15/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | 140,579 | - | 5,161 |
| 2024 | - | 153,357 | - | 6,323 |
| 2023 | -871,617 | 175,003 | 442 | 6,591 |
| 2022 | -825,825 | 175,003 | 54 | 2,480 |
| 2021 | -640,976 | -34,996 | 259 | 4,638 |
| 2020 | -542,923 | 42,001 | 361 | 6,904 |
| 2019 | -531,858 | 318,190 | 655 | 20,302 |
| 2018 | -456,520 | 320,601 | 774 | 16,961 |
| 2017 | -406,310 | 322,564 | 747 | 14,372 |
| 2016 | -343,106 | 314,732 | 1,091 | 8,624 |
| 2015 | -292,424 | 168,896 | 888 | 9,588 |
| 2014 | -267,279 | 58,109 | 910 | 9,192 |
| 2013 | -242,146 | 66,449 | 807 | 861 |
| 2012 | -229,733 | 67,904 | 714 | 911 |
| 2011 | -204,533 | 97,720 | 916 | 999 |
| 2010 | -128,070 | 131,860 | 871 | 741 |
| 2009 | -76,828 | 125,450 | 825 | 836 |
| 2008 | -51,225 | 142,605 | 777 | 869 |
| 2007 | -25,600 | 138,024 | 691 | 926 |
| 2006 | 12,785 | 130,065 | 568 | 997 |
| 2005 | -25,554 | 113,017 | 727 | 1,626 |
| 2004 | 76,656 | 69,014 | 883 | 1,662 |
| 2003 | 114,946 | 74,875 | 917 | 1,626 |
| 2002 | 178,423 | 60,864 | 911 | 1,821 |
| 2001 | 203,438 | 59,563 | 1,061 | 1,678 |
| 2000 | 228,317 | 23,468 | 1,482 | 1,591 |
| 1999 | 202,610 | 56,901 | 1,357 | 1,463 |
| 1998 | 265,440 | 45,912 | 1,656 | 1,260 |
| 1997 | 277,325 | 43,366 | 1,991 | 1,003 |
| 1996 | 314,392 | 25,030 | 2,279 | 1,142 |
| 1995 | 276,039 | 87,714 | 1,887 | 1,306 |
| 1994 | 363,017 | 154,214 | 2,136 | 1,136 |
| 1993 | 312,073 | 168,836 | 2,451 | 1,006 |
| 1992 | 360,833 | 170,878 | 2,573 | 737 |
| 1991 | 396,685 | 161,331 | 2,438 | 763 |
| 1990 | 407,478 | 124,582 | 2,621 | 568 |
| 1989 | 467,662 | 31,202 | 2,981 | 248 |
| 1988 | 527,085 | 51,154 | 2,813 | 164 |
| 1987 | 598,138 | 28,001 | 2,412 | 295 |
| 1986 | 631,706 | 27,987 | 2,395 | 464 |
| 1985 | 676,687 | -141,323 | 2,590 | -428 |
| 1984 | 756,523 | -273,686 | 2,678 | -558 |
| 1983 | 775,495 | -269,755 | 2,512 | -740 |
| 1982 | 805,664 | -288,550 | 2,835 | -1,059 |
| 1981 | 811,861 | -278,525 | 2,233 | -548 |
| 1980 | 864,372 | -92,314 | 2,375 | -886 |
| 1979 | 950,298 | -57,692 | 2,852 | -1,311 |
| 1978 | 1,011,234 | -47,996 | 2,389 | -1,302 |
| 1977 | 1,070,397 | -49,082 | 2,916 | -1,598 |
| 1976 | 1,127,750 | -34,976 | 2,721 | -1,641 |
| 1975 | 1,204,989 | 107 | 2,829 | -1,742 |
| 1974 | 1,332,960 | -10,145 | 2,687 | -1,597 |
| 1973 | 1,391,449 | -34,674 | 2,327 | -1,549 |
| 1972 | 1,372,006 | -73,980 | 2,480 | -1,316 |
| 1971 | 1,331,782 | -107,778 | 2,482 | -1,327 |
| 1970 | 1,230,496 | 33,731 | 2,270 | -1,123 |
| 1969 | 1,195,962 | 49,447 | 2,069 | -827 |
| 1968 | 1,191,930 | 43,593 | 2,247 | -753 |
| 1967 | 1,258,475 | 29,632 | 2,306 | -4,073 |
| 1966 | 682,072 | 68,934 | 2,458 | -4,318 |
| 1965 | 1,126,448 | -50,667 | 2,646 | -4,329 |
| 1964 | 1,046,553 | -100,696 | 3,630 | -4,768 |
| 1963 | 987,770 | -100,742 | 3,709 | -4,773 |
| 1962 | 901,864 | -57,075 | 4,664 | -5,360 |
| 1961 | 893,522 | -58,882 | 4,748 | -5,099 |
| 1960 | 894,874 | -150,371 | 5,747 | -5,540 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/japan/malta | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 73.6% of the population change in Japan is from natural causes (a loss of 5,178,838 people) and 26.4% is from migration (a gain of 1,860,103 people). In Malta 5.84% is from natural causes (a gain of 6,181 people) and 94.2% is from migration (a gain of 99,652 people).
As of 2024, 3,409,529 residents or 2.8% of the population were not native-born in Japan, compared to 199,466 people or 37% in Malta.
Biggest cities by population
|
Japan
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| Tokyo | 14.3M |
| Yokohama | 3.76M |
| Osaka | 2.75M |
| Nagoya | 2.33M |
| Sapporo | 1.96M |
| Fukuoka | 1.6M |
| Kawasaki | 1.54M |
| Kobe | 1.52M |
| Kyoto | 1.46M |
| Saitama | 1.33M |
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|
| City | Population |
| St. Paul's Bay | 40.2K |
| Mosta | 25.5K |
| Birkirkara | 24.4K |
| Naxxar | 18.1K |
| Zabbar | 18K |
| Sliema | 16.9K |
| San Gwann | 16.1K |
| Marsaskala | 15.6K |
| Gzira | 8.03K |
| Valletta | 6.44K |
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Population differences between Japan and Malta
|
Japan
|
Malta
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 85.1 years | 83.8 years |
| Average age | 48.3 years | 43 years |
| Median age | 50.4 years | 41.8 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 48.8:51.2 | 51.9:48.1 |
| Fertility rate | 1.2 births per woman | 1.06 births per woman |
| Population density | 872 ppl/mi² | 4,704 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population/japan/malta | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.