Which country has a larger economy, Japan or China?

China has a significantly larger economy with a GDP of approximately $17.7 trillion compared to Japan's $4.2 trillion. However, Japan has a higher GDP per capita at $33,800 vs China's $12,500.

Which country has a stronger military?

China has a larger military with approximately 2 million active personnel compared to Japan's 247,000. China also has a larger defense budget and nuclear weapons capability.

Japan vs China

Updated March 19, 2026

Japan

East Asian island nation and world's 3rd largest economy with advanced technology, manufacturing, and cultural influence.

Quality of life and technological innovation

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China

World's second-largest economy with 1.4B people, rapid industrialization, and 70% global EV production dominance.

Economic scale and geopolitical influence

Short Answer

China has a much larger economy (GDP $17.7T vs $4.2T), population (1.4B vs 125M), and military, while Japan leads in GDP per capita ($33,800 vs $12,500), technology innovation, life expectancy, and quality of life indices.

Our Verdict

China dominates in scale — economy, population, and military size. Japan leads in quality of life, technology density, and per-capita wealth. The comparison depends on what dimension matters most to you.

Japan6.9

8.1China

Choose Japan if

Quality of life and technological innovation

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Key Differences at a Glance

👥

Population: China wins (1.4B vs 125M)

💵

GDP: China wins ($17.7T vs $4.2T)

💵

GDP per Capita: Japan wins ($33,800 vs $12,500)

See all 6 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	Japan	China	Diff
GDP(USD)	$4.2 Trillion	$17.7 Trillion	-76%
Life Expectancy(years)	84.6	78.2	+8%
Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)	$4.2	$17.9

Key Differences

Japan

Attribute

China

125M

Population

1.4B🏆

$4.2T

GDP

$17.7T🏆

$33,800🏆

GDP per Capita

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US vs China GDP Comparison 2026: Economic Powers Explained

As of 2026, the United States maintains its position as the world's largest economy by nominal GDP at $31.82 trillion, while China ranks second at $20.65 trillion. Despite China's rapid growth trajectory, the US continues to lead in per capita income and economic output. Here's what the numbers reveal about these two economic superpowers.

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Last updated: March 19, 2026Human reviewed

Population

Japan

125M

China

1.4B🏆

GDP

Japan

$4.2T

China

$17.7T🏆

GDP per Capita

Japan

$33,800🏆

China

$12,500

Life Expectancy

Japan

84.6 years🏆

China

78.2 years

Military Personnel

Japan

247K

China

2.0M🏆

HDI Rank

Japan

#19🏆

China

#75

Full Comparison

Attribute	Japan	China

GDP(USD)	$4.2 Trillion	$17.7 Trillion
Cost of Living Index(index points)	47.5	—
GDP Purchasing Power Ranking(global rank)	Rank 14	—
Total GDP(USD Trillions)	$20.6 trillion	—
GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)	$17.9 trillion	—
Show 1 more attribute Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Billion) $3,300 billion —

Life Expectancy(years)	84.6	78.2

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)	$4.2	$17.9

GDP Per Capita(USD)	$33,800	$12,500
Per Capita GDP(USD)	$~12,000-13,000	—

Total Population(billions)	125 million	1.4 billion
Population Over 65 Years(percent)	28.8%	—
Median Age(Years)	39.0	—
Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)	1.4 billion	—

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)	€50.9 billion	€296.5 billion

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)	€1,047	€467

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)	$383,823M	$620,062.8M

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)	1.14%	1.03%

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)	~15%	70%

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways(number of visas)	6 pathways	—

Military Spending(USD billions)	~$45 billion	—
Land Military Power Ranking(global capability rank)	Lower ranking	—
Military Budget(USD)	$292 Billion	—
Main Battle Tanks(count)	5,800	—

Population(millions)	~123 million	1,425 million

Tech Sector Salary Premium(percent above baseline)	Baseline (0%)	—

Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD)	$33-34 trillion	—

GDP Growth Rate(% annual)	4.6-4.8%	—

Global Manufacturing Output(%)	35% of global output	—

Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%)	Limited by export controls	—

Solar Panel Global Production(%)	80%+	—

Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk)	$400-800 billion potential loss	—

Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)	4.6-4.8%	—
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)	4.6-4.8%	—

Global EV Production Share(%)	70%	—

Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)	80%+	—

LFP Battery Global Production Share(%)	94%	—

Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)	-0.5 to -2.0%	—

AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)	0.2-0.3%	—
Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)	40% (global EV sales)	—

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)	94%	—

Global Manufacturing Output Share(%)	35%	—

Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion)	-0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)	—

Active Military Personnel(Million)	2,300 thousand	—

Semiconductor Market Share(%)	15% (all types)	—

Government Type	One-party communist state	—

Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))	88 (not free)	—

R&D Spending(percent of GDP)	2.4%	—

Human Development Index(score 0-1)	0.796 (high)	—

GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)	$13,738	—
Nominal GDP (2024)(trillion USD)	$20.7 trillion	—

Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)	$467 (2023)	—
Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)	$6,177.1 billion	—
Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)	$296.5 billion	—

Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)	$1,272.4 billion	—

Japan

China

GDP(USD)

$4.2 Trillion

$17.7 Trillion

Cost of Living Index(index points)

47.5

—

GDP Purchasing Power Ranking(global rank)

Rank 14

—

Total GDP(USD Trillions)

$20.6 trillion

—

GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)

$17.9 trillion

—

Show 1 more attribute

Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Billion)

$3,300 billion

—

Life Expectancy(years)

84.6

78.2

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)

$4.2

$17.9

GDP Per Capita(USD)

$33,800

$12,500

Per Capita GDP(USD)

$~12,000-13,000

—

Total Population(billions)

125 million

1.4 billion

Population Over 65 Years(percent)

28.8%

—

Median Age(Years)

39.0

—

Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)

1.4 billion

—

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)

€50.9 billion

€296.5 billion

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)

€1,047

€467

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)

$383,823M

$620,062.8M

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)

1.14%

1.03%

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)

~15%

70%

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways(number of visas)

6 pathways

—

Military Spending(USD billions)

~$45 billion

—

Land Military Power Ranking(global capability rank)

Lower ranking

—

Military Budget(USD)

$292 Billion

—

Main Battle Tanks(count)

5,800

—

Population(millions)

~123 million

1,425 million

Tech Sector Salary Premium(percent above baseline)

Baseline (0%)

—

Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD)

$33-34 trillion

—

GDP Growth Rate(% annual)

4.6-4.8%

—

Global Manufacturing Output(%)

35% of global output

—

Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%)

Limited by export controls

—

Solar Panel Global Production(%)

80%+

—

Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk)

$400-800 billion potential loss

—

Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)

4.6-4.8%

—

Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)

4.6-4.8%

—

Global EV Production Share(%)

70%

—

Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)

80%+

—

LFP Battery Global Production Share(%)

94%

—

Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)

-0.5 to -2.0%

—

AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)

0.2-0.3%

—

Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)

40% (global EV sales)

—

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)

94%

—

Global Manufacturing Output Share(%)

35%

—

Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion)

-0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)

—

Active Military Personnel(Million)

2,300 thousand

—

Semiconductor Market Share(%)

15% (all types)

—

Government Type

One-party communist state

—

Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))

88 (not free)

—

R&D Spending(percent of GDP)

2.4%

—

Human Development Index(score 0-1)

0.796 (high)

—

GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)

$13,738

—

Nominal GDP (2024)(trillion USD)

$20.7 trillion

—

Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)

$467 (2023)

—

Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)

$6,177.1 billion

—

Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)

$296.5 billion

—

Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)

$1,272.4 billion

—

Full Comparison

Attribute	Japan	China

GDP(USD)	$4.2 Trillion	$17.7 Trillion
Cost of Living Index(index points)	47.5	—
GDP Purchasing Power Ranking(global rank)	Rank 14	—
Total GDP(USD Trillions)	$20.6 trillion	—
GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)	$17.9 trillion	—
Show 1 more attribute Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Billion) $3,300 billion —

Life Expectancy(years)	84.6	78.2

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)	$4.2	$17.9

GDP Per Capita(USD)	$33,800	$12,500
Per Capita GDP(USD)	$~12,000-13,000	—

Total Population(billions)	125 million	1.4 billion
Population Over 65 Years(percent)	28.8%	—
Median Age(Years)	39.0	—
Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)	1.4 billion	—

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)	€50.9 billion	€296.5 billion

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)	€1,047	€467

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)	$383,823M	$620,062.8M

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)	1.14%	1.03%

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)	~15%	70%

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways(number of visas)	6 pathways	—

Military Spending(USD billions)	~$45 billion	—
Land Military Power Ranking(global capability rank)	Lower ranking	—
Military Budget(USD)	$292 Billion	—
Main Battle Tanks(count)	5,800	—

Population(millions)	~123 million	1,425 million

Tech Sector Salary Premium(percent above baseline)	Baseline (0%)	—

Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD)	$33-34 trillion	—

GDP Growth Rate(% annual)	4.6-4.8%	—

Global Manufacturing Output(%)	35% of global output	—

Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%)	Limited by export controls	—

Solar Panel Global Production(%)	80%+	—

Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk)	$400-800 billion potential loss	—

Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)	4.6-4.8%	—
Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)	4.6-4.8%	—

Global EV Production Share(%)	70%	—

Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)	80%+	—

LFP Battery Global Production Share(%)	94%	—

Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)	-0.5 to -2.0%	—

AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)	0.2-0.3%	—
Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)	40% (global EV sales)	—

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)	94%	—

Global Manufacturing Output Share(%)	35%	—

Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion)	-0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)	—

Active Military Personnel(Million)	2,300 thousand	—

Semiconductor Market Share(%)	15% (all types)	—

Government Type	One-party communist state	—

Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))	88 (not free)	—

R&D Spending(percent of GDP)	2.4%	—

Human Development Index(score 0-1)	0.796 (high)	—

GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)	$13,738	—
Nominal GDP (2024)(trillion USD)	$20.7 trillion	—

Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)	$467 (2023)	—
Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)	$6,177.1 billion	—
Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)	$296.5 billion	—

Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)	$1,272.4 billion	—

Japan

China

GDP(USD)

$4.2 Trillion

$17.7 Trillion

Cost of Living Index(index points)

47.5

—

GDP Purchasing Power Ranking(global rank)

Rank 14

—

Total GDP(USD Trillions)

$20.6 trillion

—

GDP (Nominal)(USD trillion)

$17.9 trillion

—

Show 1 more attribute

Foreign Exchange Reserves(USD Billion)

$3,300 billion

—

Life Expectancy(years)

84.6

78.2

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)

$4.2

$17.9

GDP Per Capita(USD)

$33,800

$12,500

Per Capita GDP(USD)

$~12,000-13,000

—

Total Population(billions)

125 million

1.4 billion

Population Over 65 Years(percent)

28.8%

—

Median Age(Years)

39.0

—

Population (Approximate 2024)(billion)

1.4 billion

—

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)

€50.9 billion

€296.5 billion

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)

€1,047

€467

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)

$383,823M

$620,062.8M

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)

1.14%

1.03%

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)

~15%

70%

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways(number of visas)

6 pathways

—

Military Spending(USD billions)

~$45 billion

—

Land Military Power Ranking(global capability rank)

Lower ranking

—

Military Budget(USD)

$292 Billion

—

Main Battle Tanks(count)

5,800

—

Population(millions)

~123 million

1,425 million

Tech Sector Salary Premium(percent above baseline)

Baseline (0%)

—

Total GDP (2026 Projection)(Trillion USD)

$33-34 trillion

—

GDP Growth Rate(% annual)

4.6-4.8%

—

Global Manufacturing Output(%)

35% of global output

—

Advanced Semiconductor Market Share(%)

Limited by export controls

—

Solar Panel Global Production(%)

80%+

—

Tariff/Trade War Vulnerability(Billion USD Risk)

$400-800 billion potential loss

—

Projected GDP Growth Rate 2026(percent)

4.6-4.8%

—

Annual GDP Growth Rate (2026)(%)

4.6-4.8%

—

Global EV Production Share(%)

70%

—

Global Solar Panel Manufacturing Share(%)

80%+

—

LFP Battery Global Production Share(%)

94%

—

Potential Tariff Impact on Growth(% points reduction)

-0.5 to -2.0%

—

AI Adoption Growth Contribution 2026(% points to GDP)

0.2-0.3%

—

Electric Vehicles Market Share(percent)

40% (global EV sales)

—

Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Production(%)

94%

—

Global Manufacturing Output Share(%)

35%

—

Potential Tariff-Related GDP Impact(% or USD billion)

-0.5 to -2% ($400-800B reduction)

—

Active Military Personnel(Million)

2,300 thousand

—

Semiconductor Market Share(%)

15% (all types)

—

Government Type

One-party communist state

—

Internet Freedom Score(rank (lower better))

88 (not free)

—

R&D Spending(percent of GDP)

2.4%

—

Human Development Index(score 0-1)

0.796 (high)

—

GDP Per Capita (2026 Projection)(USD)

$13,738

—

Nominal GDP (2024)(trillion USD)

$20.7 trillion

—

Government Education Expenditure Per Capita(USD)

$467 (2023)

—

Total Government Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)

$6,177.1 billion

—

Defence Expenditure (2024)(billion USD)

$296.5 billion

—

Government Budget Deficit (2024)(billion USD)

$1,272.4 billion

—

Japan vs China

Japan

China

Short Answer

Our Verdict

Track this comparison

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Related Articles

Explore Entities

More Countries

People Also Compare

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

Japan

Pros

Cons

China

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Learn More

Wikipedia

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Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Japan vs China

Japan

China

Short Answer

Our Verdict

🔔Track this comparison

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

Related Comparisons

Related Articles

Explore Entities

More Countries

People Also Compare

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

Japan

Pros

Cons

China

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Learn More

Wikipedia

Videos

Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Track this comparison