United States vs Japan: population comparison
Current population of United States
343,756,314
Live estimate, extrapolated from the latest official figures
- Births today
- 2,065
- Deaths today
- 1,753
- Change today (UTC)
- +1,018
Current population of Japan
122,696,542
Live estimate, extrapolated from the latest official figures
- Births today
- 400
- Deaths today
- 935
- Change today (UTC)
- −346
United States has a population of 341,784,857 and Japan has 123,366,734 (2025 estimates). United States is currently larger by 218,418,123 people — about 2.8 times Japan's population. They rank 3 and 12 in the world respectively.
Their trajectories differ: United States grows at +0.52% per year versus −0.49% for Japan. One population is expanding while the other shrinks — the gap between them widens every year.
Beyond size, the structures differ: United States is the younger society (median age 38.5 vs 49.8); Japan is far more crowded at 342 people per km² against 37.
United States vs Japan population, 1960–2025
Side by side
| Indicator | United States | Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 341,784,857 | 123,366,734 |
| Annual growth | +0.52% | −0.49% |
| Yearly change | +1,781,060 | −608,637 |
| Density (P/km²) | 37 | 342 |
| Land area (km²) | 9,147,420 | 364,569 |
| Median age | 38.5 yrs | 49.8 yrs |
| Fertility rate | 1.63 | 1.15 |
| Life expectancy | 78.9 yrs | 84.0 yrs |
| Urban population | 80% | 92% |
| World share | 4.16% | 1.50% |
| 2050 projection (UN) | 380,846,910 | 105,123,167 |
Latest World Bank estimates; median age and 2050 projections from UN WPP 2024. Full profiles: United States · Japan
United States vs Japan FAQ
Is United States bigger than Japan by population?
United States currently has the larger population: 341,784,857 versus 123,366,734 (2025 estimates) — a gap of 218.42 million people.
Which grows faster, United States or Japan?
United States currently grows faster: +0.52% per year versus −0.49%.
How do United States and Japan compare in 2050?
UN medium-variant projections put United States at 380,846,910 and Japan at 105,123,167 in 2050.