Population
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This comparison uses the latest available atlas values for each country; reporting years can differ by metric.
Population
Surface area
Nominal GDP
Proportional bars and relative differences make the headline numbers easier to read.
Japan’s population is 140% larger than that of South Korea, a difference of 72,224,306.
Japan’s surface area is 276% larger than that of South Korea, a difference of 277,519 km².
South Korea’s population density is 57% higher than that of Japan, a difference of 187 /km².
Japan’s nominal GDP is 115% larger than that of South Korea, a difference of $2.15 trillion.
South Korea’s GDP per capita is 12% higher than that of Japan, a difference of $3,752.
Values use the latest available observations in WorldSumma. Economic reporting years are shown when available and can differ by country.
Tokyo
Seoul
123,975,371
51,751,065
377,969 km²
100,450 km²
328 /km²
515 /km²
$4.03 trillion · 2024
$1.88 trillion · 2024
$32,487 · 2024
$36,239 · 2024
Asia
Asia
Eastern Asia
Eastern Asia
Japanese yen · JPY · ¥
Won · KRW · ₩
Japanese
South Korean
+81
+82
.jp
.kr
JP / JPN
KR / KOR
Asia/Tokyo
Asia/Seoul
日本
대한민국
| Measure | Japan | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Tokyo | Seoul |
| Population | 123,975,371 | 51,751,065 |
| Surface area | 377,969 km² | 100,450 km² |
| Population density | 328 /km² | 515 /km² |
| Nominal GDP | $4.03 trillion · 2024 | $1.88 trillion · 2024 |
| GDP per capita | $32,487 · 2024 | $36,239 · 2024 |
| Region | Asia | Asia |
| Subregion | Eastern Asia | Eastern Asia |
| Currency | Japanese yen · JPY · ¥ | Won · KRW · ₩ |
| Nationality | Japanese | South Korean |
| Phone code | +81 | +82 |
| Internet domain | .jp | .kr |
| ISO codes | JP / JPN | KR / KOR |
| Time zone | Asia/Tokyo | Asia/Seoul |
| Native name | 日本 | 대한민국 |
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Japan, an island nation where ancient traditions meet cutting‑edge technology, captivates visitors with its harmonious blend of natural beauty, cultural depth, and urban dynamism.
Full Japan profile →South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state in East Asia constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
Full South Korea profile →The capital of Japan is Tokyo.
Japan has a recorded population of approximately 123,975,371 people.
Japan covers an area of about 377,969 km².
Japan has a population density of roughly 328 /km² (people per square kilometre).
Japan has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $4.03 trillion as of 2024.
Japan has a GDP per capita of approximately $32,487.
Japan uses the Japanese yen (JPY), with the symbol ¥.
Japan is located in Eastern Asia, Asia.
The native name of Japan is 日本.
People from Japan are referred to as Japanese.
The international dialing code for Japan is +81.
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Japan is .jp.
Japan uses the Asia/Tokyo time zone.
Japan, an island nation where ancient traditions meet cutting‑edge technology, captivates visitors with its harmonious blend of natural beauty, cultural depth, and urban dynamism.
The capital of South Korea is Seoul.
South Korea has a recorded population of approximately 51,751,065 people.
South Korea covers an area of about 100,450 km².
South Korea has a population density of roughly 515 /km² (people per square kilometre).
South Korea has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $1.88 trillion as of 2024.
South Korea has a GDP per capita of approximately $36,239.
South Korea uses the Won (KRW), with the symbol ₩.
South Korea is located in Eastern Asia, Asia.
The native name of South Korea is 대한민국.
People from South Korea are referred to as South Korean.
The international dialing code for South Korea is +82.
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for South Korea is .kr.
South Korea uses the Asia/Seoul time zone.
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a sovereign state in East Asia constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.