Japan vs South Korea: What the Numbers Mean

Japan has a population of 123,800,000 and is declining at -0.53% per year.South Korea has a population of 51,700,000 and is growing at 0.03% per year. The difference between them is 72,100,000 people, with Japan in the lead.

Population is more than a headcount. Japan has a density of 124 people per km² across 1,000,000 km², while South Korea has a density of 52 people per km² across 1,000,000 km². These figures shape how each country manages housing, infrastructure, and resources. For how these numbers are computed, see our Methodology page.