Japan vs South Korea: International Tourism Arrivals Comparison

Compare International Tourism Arrivals of Japan and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2020, Japan recorded International Tourism Arrivals of 4.12M vs 2.52M for South Korea (Japan's International Tourism Arrivals is 1.6× larger than South Korea's.).

🇯🇵 Japan
4.12M
-13.5% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
2.52M
-52.7% since 2000
⚖️ Scale Ratio
1.6×
Gap: 1.60M
International Tourism Arrivals
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2000 2025
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Japan vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1995 – 2020)

Complete annual observations of International Tourism Arrivals for Japan and South Korea reported by World Bank.

Year 🇯🇵 Japan International Tourism Arrivals 🇰🇷 South Korea International Tourism Arrivals South Korea : Japan Ratio
2020 4.12M 2.52M 0.61×
2019 31.88M 17.50M 0.55×
2018 31.19M 15.35M 0.49×
2017 28.69M 13.34M 0.46×
2016 24.04M 17.24M 0.72×
2015 19.74M 13.23M 0.67×
2014 13.41M 14.20M 1.06×
2013 10.36M 12.18M 1.17×
2012 8.36M 11.14M 1.33×
2011 6.22M 9.79M 1.58×
2010 8.61M 8.80M 1.02×
2009 6.79M 7.82M 1.15×
2008 8.35M 6.89M 0.83×
2007 8.35M 6.45M 0.77×
2006 7.33M 6.16M 0.84×
2005 6.73M 6.02M 0.90×
2004 6.14M 5.82M 0.95×
2003 5.21M 4.75M 0.91×
2002 5.24M 5.35M 1.02×
2001 4.77M 5.15M 1.08×
2000 4.76M 5.32M 1.12×
1999 4.44M 4.66M 1.05×
1998 4.11M 4.25M 1.04×
1997 4.22M 3.91M 0.93×
1996 3.84M 3.68M 0.96×
1995 3.35M 3.75M 1.12×

International Tourism Arrivals Comparison

Current Leader: In 2020, Japan recorded International Tourism Arrivals of 4.12M, while South Korea recorded 2.52M, representing a scale ratio of ~1.6×.
1995 Baseline: Japan stood at 3.35M and South Korea stood at 3.75M.
2000–2020 Trajectory: Japan moved to 4.12M (-13.5% since 2000), while South Korea moved to 2.52M (-52.7% since 2000).
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): From 2000 to 2020, Japan's International Tourism Arrivals expanded at ~-0.7% CAGR, while South Korea's expanded at ~-3.7% CAGR.

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1995 to 2020, Japan and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1995, Japan recorded 3.35M compared to 3.75M for South Korea. By 2020, the values evolved to 4.12M and 2.52M respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2020 is 1.60M.
Scale Ratio: Japan is 1.6× size of South Korea.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 4.12M (Japan in 2020).
Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, Japan achieved -13.5% since 2000, while South Korea achieved -52.7% since 2000.

About International Tourism Arrivals

International in-bound tourists (overnight visitors) arriving at national borders during the specified year.

This comparison uses standardized data from World Bank Open Data. Historical records allow analysts to trace long-term development trajectories for Japan and South Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions — International Tourism Arrivals

What is the International Tourism Arrivals of Japan?

In 2020, Japan's International Tourism Arrivals was 4.12M according to official World Bank data.

What is the International Tourism Arrivals of South Korea?

In 2020, South Korea's International Tourism Arrivals was 2.52M according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher International Tourism Arrivals?

In 2020, Japan recorded a higher International Tourism Arrivals of 4.12M compared to South Korea's 2.52M (a difference of 1.60M).

How has International Tourism Arrivals changed over time for Japan and South Korea?

From 2000 to 2020, Japan's International Tourism Arrivals changed by -13.5% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by -52.7% since 2000.

Explore Japan vs South Korea Interactively

Use TradeSeekho Growth Explorer to customize time ranges, play animated timeline visualizations, and compare Japan and South Korea across Population, Health, Education, and Technology metrics.

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: ST.INT.ARVL (International Tourism Arrivals). Values represent annual international tourism arrivals for Japan and South Korea from 1995 through 2020. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.