Japan vs Brazil
Japan has a population of 123.2M, compared to Brazil's 213.4M. Brazil is 1.7 times more populous than Japan. Economically, Japan ($4.03T) has a GDP 1.8 times larger than Brazil's ($2.19T). Brazil covers 8,515,767 km², 22.5 times larger than Japan's 377,930 km². Life expectancy in Japan stands at 84.0 years, 8.2 years higher than Brazil's 75.8 years.
JapanBrazil| Population | -42.3%123.2M | +73.2%213.4M |
| Area | -95.6%377,930 km² | +2153.3%8,515,767 km² |
| GDP | +84.3%$4.03T | -45.7%$2.19T |
| GDP Per Capita | +215.1%$32,487.078 | -68.3%$10,310.549 |
| Life Expectancy | +10.8%84.0 yrs | -9.7%75.8 yrs |
| Infant Mortality | -85.6%1.8 | +594.4%12.5 |
| Literacy Rate | — | — |
| Unemployment | -58.9%2.5% | +143.6%6.0% |
| Capital | Tokyo | Brasília |
| Region | Asia | Americas |
| Languages | Japanese | Portuguese |
| Currencies | JPY (¥) | BRL (R$) |
Last updated: March 2026
All data sourced from World Bank Open Data (2025) and REST Countries API. Economic data may reflect most recent available year.
Population Comparison
Brazil is 1.7 times more populous than Japan, with 213.4M residents compared to 123.2M. Japan is among the world's 15 most populous countries, while Brazil is among the world's 15 most populous countries. In terms of population density, Japan averages 326 people per km² (dense), while Brazil averages 25 people per km² (sparse). Brazil has grown at 0.62% annually over the past decade. Population growth data is not available for Japan.
Economy Comparison
Japan is classified as a high-income economy, while Brazil is classified as a upper-middle-income economy. The Japan economy ($4.03T) is 1.8 times larger than Brazil's ($2.19T). Japan's GDP per capita of $32,487.078 is 190% above the regional average of 11,200 for Asia. Brazil's GDP per capita of $10,310.549 is 24% below the regional average of 13,500 for Americas. On a per-capita basis, residents of Japan are on average 3.2 times wealthier than those in Brazil.
Health & Quality of Life
Life expectancy in Japan is 84.0 years, compared to 75.8 years in Brazil, a gap of 8.2 years. Japan (84.0 years) is 12.0 years above the global average of 72 years, while Brazil (75.8 years) is 3.8 years above the global average of 72 years. At 12.5 deaths per 1,000 live births, Brazil's infant mortality is 594% higher than Japan's 1.8.
Geographic Comparison
Brazil (8,515,767 km²) is 22.5 times larger by land area than Japan (377,930 km²). Japan shares borders with 0 countries, while Brazil borders 10 countries. Japan spans 1 timezone, compared to Brazil's 4 timezones. Japan lies in Asia, while Brazil is located in South America. Japan is categorized within the Asia region (Eastern Asia), whereas Brazil belongs to Americas (South America).
Key Differences
The most significant difference between Japan and Brazil is in land area: Japan's 377,930 km² compared to Brazil's 8,515,767 km² represents a 96% gap. The most significant difference between Japan and Brazil is in infant mortality: Japan's 1.8 per 1,000 compared to Brazil's 12.5 per 1,000 represents a 86% gap. The most significant difference between Japan and Brazil is in GDP per capita: Japan's $32,487.078 compared to Brazil's $10,310.549 represents a 68% gap. These disparities reflect the broader structural differences between Japan's high-income economy and Brazil's upper-middle-income economy.
At a Glance: What the Numbers Mean
Living Standards
Japan has a GDP per capita of $32,487.078, which is 3.2x that of Brazil ($10,310.549). This gap reflects differences in economic development, industrial structure, and workforce productivity. In practical terms, average purchasing power in Japan is significantly higher, though cost of living differences partially offset the raw income gap.
Population Density
Japan is 13.0x more densely populated than Brazil (326 vs 25 people per km²). Higher density typically correlates with more urbanization, greater demand for public transit, and higher housing costs. Brazil's lower density suggests more rural land use and potentially lower urban congestion.
Healthcare and Longevity
Citizens of Japan live an average of 8.2 years longer than those of Brazil (84.0 vs 75.8 years). This gap reflects differences in healthcare access, nutrition, public health infrastructure, and environmental factors. This is a substantial gap that suggests significant differences in healthcare systems and overall living conditions.
Economic Momentum
Brazil's economy grew at 3.4% compared to Japan's 0.1%. Both countries show healthy growth, though Brazil has a modest edge in economic dynamism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Japan or Brazil by population?
Brazil is larger by population, with 213.4M residents compared to Japan's 123.2M. Brazil is 1.7 times more populous than Japan.
Which country has a higher GDP, Japan or Brazil?
Japan has the higher GDP at $4.03T, compared to Brazil's $2.19T. Japan's economy is 1.8 times larger.
How does life expectancy compare between Japan and Brazil?
Japan has a higher life expectancy at 84.0 years, compared to Brazil's 75.8 years. The gap between the two countries is 8.2 years. Japan's life expectancy is 12.0 years above the global average of 72 years, while Brazil's is 3.8 years above the global average of 72 years.
Which country is larger by area, Japan or Brazil?
Brazil is larger by land area, covering 8,515,767 km² compared to Japan's 377,930 km². Brazil is 22.5 times larger than Japan.
What languages are spoken in Japan and Brazil?
Japan recognizes the following official language: Japanese. Brazil recognizes: Portuguese. The two countries do not share an official language.
Which country has lower inflation, Japan or Brazil?
Japan has lower inflation at 2.7%, compared to Brazil's 4.4%. Japan's inflation is within the 2-3% range considered stable by most central banks, while Brazil's rate is moderately elevated above the global median of 3.5%.