Japan vs Germany: Population Comparison 2025
Compare Japan and Germany population pyramids. Two export giants facing similar demographic challenges - aging populations, declining birth rates, and shrinking workforces.
Japan
Germany
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
Japan
123.1M
Germany
84.1M
Youth (0-14)
Japan
11.2%
Germany
13.9%
Elderly (65+)
Japan
30.0%
Germany
23.7%
Demographic Analysis: Japan vs Germany
In 2025, Japan has a population of 123M, while Germany has 84M. This represents a difference of 39M, with Japan having 1.5 times the population of the other. Japan ranks #12 globally by population size, while Germany ranks #19.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: Japan has a median age of 50.8 years, compared to 46.5 years in Germany. This 4.3-year difference indicates that Japan has a significantly older population, with important implications for workforce dynamics, healthcare needs, and economic development. The dependency ratio in Japan is 70.2%, while in Germany it is 60.2%, showing the relative burden of non-working age populations on the workforce.
Gender balance differs between the two countries: Japan has a sex ratio of 95.15 males per female, while Germany has 97.56. Germany shows a higher proportion of males, which can affect marriage markets, labor force composition, and social dynamics. These ratios reflect various factors including sex-selective practices, differential mortality rates, and migration patterns.
Comprehensive Demographic Comparison 2025
| Indicator | Japan | Germany | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 123M | 84M | 1.5x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #12 | #19 | 7 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | -0.51% | +0.11% | 0.62pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 50.8 years | 46.5 years | 4.3 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 11.2% | 13.9% | 2.6pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 58.8% | 62.4% | 3.6pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 30.0% | 23.7% | 6.3pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 14.5% | 15.1% | 0.6pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 36.0% | 37.0% | 1.0pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 70.2% | 60.2% | 9.9pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 19.1% | 22.2% | 3.1pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 51.0% | 38.0% | 13.1pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 95.2 | 97.6 | 2.4 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.20 children/woman | 1.46 children/woman | 0.26 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 6.4 per 1,000 | 8.9 per 1,000 | 2.5 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 266.9% | 170.7% | 96.2pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | constrictive | constrictive | Same type |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between Japan and Germany for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = Japan has more males
Green = Germany has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = Japan has more females
Orange = Germany has more females
💡 How to Read: Each age group shows up to 2 bars - one on the left (male difference) and one on the right (female difference). The bar's color tells you which country has more people, and the bar's length shows by how much. For example, if you see a green bar on the left, it means Germany has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
39.0M
Japan larger
Growth Since 1950
Japan
+42.4%
Germany
+20.4%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.68
Japan : Germany
| Metric | Japan | Germany | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 123.1M | 84.1M | +46.4% |
| Median Age | 50.8 years | 46.5 years | +4.3 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 13.8M 11.2% | 11.7M 13.9% | +18.5% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 72.3M 58.8% | 52.5M 62.4% | +37.9% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 36.9M 30.0% | 19.9M 23.7% | +85.3% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 70.2 per 100 | 60.2 per 100 | +9.9 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 19.1 per 100 | 22.2 per 100 | -3.1 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 51.0 per 100 | 38.0 per 100 | +13.1 |
| Sex Ratio | 95.2 M/100F | 97.6 M/100F | -2.4 |
| Population Structure Type | Constrictive | Constrictive | Same |
Total Population
Japan
123.1M
Germany
84.1M
Median Age
Japan
50.8 years
Germany
46.5 years
Youth Population (0-14)
Japan
13.8M
11.2%
Germany
11.7M
13.9%
Working Age (15-64)
Japan
72.3M
58.8%
Germany
52.5M
62.4%
Elderly Population (65+)
Japan
36.9M
30.0%
Germany
19.9M
23.7%
Total Dependency Ratio
Japan
70.2 per 100
Germany
60.2 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
Japan
19.1 per 100
Germany
22.2 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Japan
51.0 per 100
Germany
38.0 per 100
Sex Ratio
Japan
95.2 M/100F
Germany
97.6 M/100F
Note: Dependency ratios represent the number of dependents (youth + elderly) per 100 working-age individuals. Higher ratios indicate greater economic burden on the working population.
Note: The replacement fertility rate of 2.1 is the level at which a population exactly replaces itself from one generation to the next.Both countries are experiencing demographic transitions as they develop economically. Countries below 2.1 face potential population decline without immigration, while those above 2.1 continue growing naturally.
Historic Milestone: 2023
Germany became the world's most populous country, ending Japan's centuries-long reign