Japan vs South Korea: Population Density Comparison

Compare Population Density (People per sq. km) of Japan and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2024, South Korea recorded Population Density (People per sq. km) of 530.24 vs 340.12 for Japan (South Korea's Population Density is 190.11 higher than Japan's.).

🇯🇵 Japan
340.12
-2.3% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
530.24
+8.8% since 2000
⚖️ Difference / Gap
190.11
Latest Year: 2024
Population Density (People per sq. km)
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Active Year
2000 2025
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Japan vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1961 – 2024)

Complete annual observations of Population Density (People per sq. km) for Japan and South Korea reported by World Bank.

Year 🇯🇵 Japan Population Density 🇰🇷 South Korea Population Density Difference / Gap
2024 340.12 530.24 190.11
2023 341.61 529.84 188.23
2022 343.28 529.43 186.15
2021 344.81 530.43 185.62
2020 346.40 531.11 184.71
2019 347.42 530.38 182.96
2018 347.90 528.97 181.07
2017 348.35 526.73 178.39
2016 348.63 525.37 176.74
2015 348.81 523.53 174.72
2014 349.18 520.85 171.67
2013 349.64 517.61 167.97
2012 350.15 515.88 165.73
2011 350.71 513.80 163.10
2010 351.36 509.82 158.46
2009 351.29 508.01 156.72
2008 351.34 505.77 154.43
2007 351.17 502.31 151.14
2006 350.77 499.98 149.22
2005 350.54 497.52 146.97
2004 350.51 496.62 146.11
2003 350.39 494.76 144.36
2002 349.64 492.25 142.61
2001 348.83 489.66 140.83
2000 347.99 487.33 139.34
1999 347.41 483.27 135.86
1998 346.78 479.85 133.08
1997 345.84 476.40 130.56
1996 345.01 471.95 126.94
1995 344.14 467.48 123.34
1994 343.33 462.80 119.47
1993 342.37 458.17 115.79
1992 341.26 453.53 112.27
1991 340.00 448.85 108.85
1990 338.67 444.43 105.76
1989 337.55 440.07 102.52
1988 336.20 435.74 99.54
1987 334.80 431.49 96.69
1986 333.10 427.26 94.16
1985 331.42 423.03 91.61
1984 329.27 418.89 89.62
1983 325.80 413.75 87.95
1982 323.54 407.70 84.16
1981 321.13 401.44 80.32
1980 318.88 395.23 76.35
1979 316.29 389.12 72.82
1978 313.63 383.26 69.63
1977 310.79 377.48 66.69
1976 307.71 371.64 63.93
1975 304.43 365.75 61.33
1974 300.50 359.65 59.16
1973 296.53 353.55 57.02
1972 292.38 347.35 54.97
1971 288.24 340.89 52.66
1970 281.98 334.24 52.26
1969 278.75 327.02 48.27
1968 275.46 319.70 44.24
1967 272.37 312.37 40.00
1966 269.57 305.16 35.59
1965 267.12 297.58 30.46
1964 264.26 290.11 25.85
1963 261.52 282.62 21.10
1962 258.88 274.86 15.98
1961 256.49 267.11 10.62

Population Density Comparison

• Current Leader: In 2024, South Korea recorded Population Density of 530.24, while Japan recorded 340.12, a difference of 190.11.
• 1961 Baseline: Japan stood at 256.49 and South Korea stood at 267.11.
• 2000–2024 Trajectory: Japan moved to 340.12 (-2.3% since 2000), while South Korea moved to 530.24 (+8.8% since 2000).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1961 to 2024, Japan and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1961, Japan recorded 256.49 compared to 267.11 for South Korea. By 2024, the values evolved to 340.12 and 530.24 respectively.

Key Differences

• Absolute Gap: Difference in 2024 is 190.11.
• Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 530.24 (South Korea in 2024).
• Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, Japan achieved -2.3% since 2000, while South Korea achieved +8.8% since 2000.

About Population Density (People per sq. km)

Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers.

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 — Population Density

What is the Population Density of Japan?

In 2024, Japan's Population Density was 340.12 according to official World Bank data.

What is the Population Density of South Korea?

In 2024, South Korea's Population Density was 530.24 according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Population Density?

In 2024, South Korea recorded a higher Population Density of 530.24 compared to Japan's 340.12 (a difference of 190.11).

How has Population Density changed over time for Japan and South Korea?

From 2000 to 2024, Japan's Population Density changed by -2.3% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by +8.8% 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: EN.POP.DNST (Population Density (People per sq. km)). Values represent annual population density (people per sq. km) for Japan and South Korea from 1961 through 2024. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.