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Japan vs South Korea: Total Population Comparison

Compare Total Population of Japan and South Korea over time using official World Bank Open Data.

⚡ Quick Comparison Summary

In 2025, Japan recorded Total Population of 123.37M vs 51.68M for South Korea (Japan's Total Population is 2.4× larger than South Korea's.).

🇯🇵 Japan
123.37M
-2.7% since 2000
🇰🇷 South Korea
51.68M
+9.9% since 2000
⚖️ Scale Ratio
2.4×
Gap: 71.68M
Total Population
Progressive time series visualization
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2000 2025
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Japan vs South Korea All Annual Observations (1960 – 2025)

Complete annual observations of Total Population for Japan and South Korea reported by World Bank.

Year 🇯🇵 Japan Total Population 🇰🇷 South Korea Total Population South Korea : Japan Ratio
2025 123.37M 51.68M 0.42×
2024 123.98M 51.75M 0.42×
2023 124.52M 51.71M 0.42×
2022 125.12M 51.67M 0.41×
2021 125.68M 51.77M 0.41×
2020 126.26M 51.84M 0.41×
2019 126.63M 51.76M 0.41×
2018 126.81M 51.59M 0.41×
2017 126.97M 51.36M 0.40×
2016 127.08M 51.22M 0.40×
2015 127.14M 51.01M 0.40×
2014 127.28M 50.75M 0.40×
2013 127.45M 50.43M 0.40×
2012 127.63M 50.20M 0.39×
2011 127.83M 49.94M 0.39×
2010 128.07M 49.55M 0.39×
2009 128.05M 49.31M 0.39×
2008 128.06M 49.05M 0.38×
2007 128.00M 48.68M 0.38×
2006 127.85M 48.44M 0.38×
2005 127.77M 48.18M 0.38×
2004 127.76M 48.08M 0.38×
2003 127.72M 47.89M 0.37×
2002 127.45M 47.64M 0.37×
2001 127.15M 47.37M 0.37×
2000 126.84M 47.01M 0.37×
1999 126.63M 46.62M 0.37×
1998 126.40M 46.29M 0.37×
1997 126.06M 45.95M 0.36×
1996 125.76M 45.52M 0.36×
1995 125.47M 45.09M 0.36×
1994 125.18M 44.64M 0.36×
1993 124.83M 44.19M 0.35×
1992 124.42M 43.75M 0.35×
1991 123.96M 43.30M 0.35×
1990 123.48M 42.87M 0.35×
1989 123.07M 42.45M 0.34×
1988 122.58M 42.03M 0.34×
1987 122.07M 41.62M 0.34×
1986 121.48M 41.21M 0.34×
1985 120.84M 40.81M 0.34×
1984 120.08M 40.41M 0.34×
1983 119.31M 39.91M 0.33×
1982 118.48M 39.33M 0.33×
1981 117.66M 38.72M 0.33×
1980 116.81M 38.12M 0.33×
1979 115.89M 37.53M 0.32×
1978 114.91M 36.97M 0.32×
1977 113.87M 36.41M 0.32×
1976 112.78M 35.85M 0.32×
1975 111.57M 35.28M 0.32×
1974 110.16M 34.69M 0.31×
1973 108.71M 34.10M 0.31×
1972 107.19M 33.51M 0.31×
1971 105.70M 32.88M 0.31×
1970 103.40M 32.24M 0.31×
1969 102.22M 31.54M 0.31×
1968 101.01M 30.84M 0.31×
1967 99.88M 30.13M 0.30×
1966 98.85M 29.44M 0.30×
1965 97.95M 28.70M 0.29×
1964 96.90M 27.98M 0.29×
1963 95.90M 27.26M 0.28×
1962 94.93M 26.51M 0.28×
1961 94.06M 25.77M 0.27×
1960 93.22M 25.01M 0.27×

Total Population Comparison

• Current Leader: In 2025, Japan recorded Total Population of 123.37M, while South Korea recorded 51.68M, representing a scale ratio of ~2.4×.
• 1960 Baseline: Japan stood at 93.22M and South Korea stood at 25.01M.
• 2000–2025 Trajectory: Japan moved to 123.37M (-2.7% since 2000), while South Korea moved to 51.68M (+9.9% since 2000).
• Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR): From 2000 to 2025, Japan's Total Population expanded at ~-0.1% CAGR, while South Korea's expanded at ~0.4% CAGR.

Historical Trends

Over the available reporting period from 1960 to 2025, Japan and South Korea followed distinct developmental paths. In 1960, Japan recorded 93.22M compared to 25.01M for South Korea. By 2025, the values evolved to 123.37M and 51.68M respectively.

Key Differences

• Absolute Gap: Difference in 2025 is 71.68M.
• Scale Ratio: Japan is 2.4× size of South Korea.
• Highest Observed Year: Peak observed was 123.37M (Japan in 2025).
• Growth Trajectory: Since 2000, Japan achieved -2.7% since 2000, while South Korea achieved +9.9% since 2000.

About Total Population

Total population counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.

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 — Total Population

What is the Total Population of Japan?

In 2025, Japan's Total Population was 123.37M according to official World Bank data.

What is the Total Population of South Korea?

In 2025, South Korea's Total Population was 51.68M according to official World Bank data.

Which country has a higher Total Population?

In 2025, Japan recorded a higher Total Population of 123.37M compared to South Korea's 51.68M (a difference of 71.68M).

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

From 2000 to 2025, Japan's Total Population changed by -2.7% since 2000, while South Korea's changed by +9.9% since 2000.

Explore Japan vs South Korea Interactively

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Data Source and Methodology

Source: World Bank Open Data. Indicator Code: SP.POP.TOTL (Total Population). Values represent annual total population for Japan and South Korea from 1960 through 2025. Missing reporting years are omitted without converting missing values to zero.