Japan vs South Korea: Population Growth Rate Comparison

Compare Population Growth Rate (Annual %) of Japan and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, South Korea recorded Population Growth Rate (Annual %) of -0.1% vs -0.5% for Japan (South Korea's Population Growth Rate is 0.4% higher than Japan's.).

🇯🇵 Japan
-0.5%
-394.2% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
-0.1%
-115.4% since 2000
⚖️ Difference / Gap
0.4%
Latest Year: 2025
Population Growth Rate (Annual %)
Progressive time series visualization
-
Active Year
Range:
2000 2025
Select countries and press Play.

Japan vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1961 – 2025)

Complete annual observations of Population Growth Rate (Annual %) for Japan and South Korea reported by World Bank.

Year 🇯🇵 Japan Population Growth Rate 🇰🇷 South Korea Population Growth Rate Difference / Gap
2025 -0.5% -0.1% 0.4%
2024 -0.4% 0.1% 0.5%
2023 -0.5% 0.1% 0.6%
2022 -0.4% -0.2% 0.3%
2021 -0.5% -0.1% 0.3%
2020 -0.3% 0.1% 0.4%
2019 -0.1% 0.3% 0.5%
2018 -0.1% 0.4% 0.6%
2017 -0.1% 0.3% 0.4%
2016 -0.1% 0.4% 0.4%
2015 -0.1% 0.5% 0.6%
2014 -0.1% 0.6% 0.8%
2013 -0.1% 0.5% 0.6%
2012 -0.2% 0.5% 0.7%
2011 -0.2% 0.8% 1.0%
2010 0.0% 0.5% 0.5%
2009 -0.0% 0.5% 0.5%
2008 0.0% 0.8% 0.7%
2007 0.1% 0.5% 0.4%
2006 0.1% 0.5% 0.5%
2005 0.0% 0.2% 0.2%
2004 0.0% 0.4% 0.4%
2003 0.2% 0.5% 0.3%
2002 0.2% 0.6% 0.3%
2001 0.2% 0.8% 0.5%
2000 0.2% 0.8% 0.7%
1999 0.2% 0.7% 0.5%
1998 0.3% 0.7% 0.5%
1997 0.2% 0.9% 0.7%
1996 0.2% 1.0% 0.7%
1995 0.2% 1.0% 0.8%
1994 0.3% 1.0% 0.7%
1993 0.3% 1.0% 0.7%
1992 0.4% 1.0% 0.7%
1991 0.4% 1.0% 0.6%
1990 0.3% 1.0% 0.7%
1989 0.4% 1.0% 0.6%
1988 0.4% 1.0% 0.6%
1987 0.5% 1.0% 0.5%
1986 0.5% 1.0% 0.5%
1985 0.6% 1.0% 0.4%
1984 0.6% 1.2% 0.6%
1983 0.7% 1.5% 0.8%
1982 0.7% 1.5% 0.9%
1981 0.7% 1.6% 0.8%
1980 0.8% 1.6% 0.8%
1979 0.8% 1.5% 0.7%
1978 0.9% 1.5% 0.6%
1977 1.0% 1.6% 0.6%
1976 1.1% 1.6% 0.5%
1975 1.3% 1.7% 0.4%
1974 1.3% 1.7% 0.4%
1973 1.4% 1.8% 0.4%
1972 1.4% 1.9% 0.5%
1971 2.2% 2.0% 0.2%
1970 1.2% 2.2% 1.0%
1969 1.2% 2.3% 1.1%
1968 1.1% 2.3% 1.2%
1967 1.0% 2.3% 1.3%
1966 0.9% 2.5% 1.6%
1965 1.1% 2.5% 1.5%
1964 1.0% 2.6% 1.6%
1963 1.0% 2.8% 1.8%
1962 0.9% 2.9% 1.9%
1961 0.9% 3.0% 2.1%

Population Growth Rate Comparison

Current Leader: In 2025, South Korea recorded Population Growth Rate of -0.1%, while Japan recorded -0.5%, a difference of 0.4%.
1961 Baseline: Japan stood at 0.9% and South Korea stood at 3.0%.
2000–2025 Trajectory: Japan moved to -0.5% (-394.2% since 2000), while South Korea moved to -0.1% (-115.4% since 2000).

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1961 to 2025, Japan and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1961, Japan recorded 0.9% compared to 3.0% for South Korea. By 2025, the values evolved to -0.5% and -0.1% respectively.

Key Differences

Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 0.4%.
Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was -0.1% (South Korea in 2025).
Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, Japan achieved -394.2% since 2000, while South Korea achieved -115.4% since 2000.

About Population Growth Rate (Annual %)

Annual population growth rate expressed as a percentage.

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 Growth Rate

What is the Population Growth Rate of Japan?

In 2025, Japan's Population Growth Rate was -0.5% according to official World Bank data.

What is the Population Growth Rate of South Korea?

In 2025, South Korea's Population Growth Rate was -0.1% according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Population Growth Rate?

In 2025, South Korea recorded a higher Population Growth Rate of -0.1% compared to Japan's -0.5% (a difference of 0.4%).

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

From 2000 to 2025, Japan's Population Growth Rate changed by -394.2% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by -115.4% 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.

Open Growth Explorer →

Related Comparisons

Japan vs India Population Growth Rate South Korea vs India Population Growth Rate Japan vs China Population Growth Rate South Korea vs China Population Growth Rate Japan vs United States Population Growth Rate South Korea vs United States Population Growth Rate

Related Indicators

Japan vs South Korea Total Population Japan vs South Korea Population Density Japan vs South Korea Urban Population Japan vs South Korea Rural Population Japan vs South Korea Birth Rate Japan vs South Korea Death Rate

Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: SP.POP.GROW (Population Growth Rate (Annual %)). Values represent annual population growth rate (annual %) for Japan and South Korea from 1961 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.