Japan: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Japan — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
126,529,100
#10 of 197 countries
Area
377,915 km²
#63 of 248 countries
Density
334.8 / km²
#40 of 245 countries

Japan has a population of 126,529,100 spread across 377,915 km², giving it an average density of 334.8 people per km². It ranks among the 20 most populous countries in the world. This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Population Density Map

Population density map of Japan
< 5 25–100 500–1k 2.5k–5k > 10k / km²

Most Populous Cities

Yokohama
3,777,491
10095 / km²
Nagoya
2,332,176
4742 / km²
Sapporo
1,973,832
5107 / km²
Fukuoka
1,612,392
6693 / km²
Kobe
1,525,152
5229 / km²
Saitama
1,324,854
5210 / km²
Hiroshima
1,200,754
3521 / km²
Sendai
1,096,704
8503 / km²
Chiba (city)
979,768
7988 / km²
Kumamoto
738,907
3616 / km²

Demographics

Median Age
50.2
Life Expectancy
85.2 yrs
Government
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Japan is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 67% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$33,836
Cost of Living
67% of US
Inflation
3.3%
Inequality
32.3
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$46,100
Unemployment
2.6%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 1.4% of Japan's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$11,395,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
1.4%
Outbound Tourists
3,174,000
Air Passengers
120,305,972
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Japan has 2.65 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
2.65/1k
Hospital Beds
12.59/1k
Health Spend
$3638/person
Infant Mortality
1.8/1k
Immunization
95%
Safe Drinking Water
99.2%
Basic Sanitation
99.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Japan, 87% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 178 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
87.0%
Mobile Subs
178/100
Broadband
38.6/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data