Japan vs Italy: Population Comparison 2025
Compare the demographics, population pyramids, and age structures of Japan and Italy. Explore population trends, growth rates, and demographic indicators.
Japan
Italy
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
Japan
123.1M
Italy
59.1M
Youth (0-14)
Japan
11.2%
Italy
11.7%
Elderly (65+)
Japan
30.0%
Italy
25.1%
Demographic Analysis: Japan vs Italy
In 2025, Japan has a population of 123M, while Italy has 59M. This represents a difference of 64M, with Japan having 2.1 times the population of the other. Japan ranks #12 globally by population size, while Italy ranks #25.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: Japan has a median age of 50.8 years, compared to 49.2 years in Italy. This 1.6-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 Italy it is 58.1%, 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 Italy has 95.73. Italy 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 | Italy | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 123M | 59M | 2.1x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #12 | #25 | 13 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | -0.51% | -0.26% | 0.25pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 50.8 years | 49.2 years | 1.6 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 11.2% | 11.7% | 0.4pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 58.8% | 63.2% | 4.5pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 30.0% | 25.1% | 4.9pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 14.5% | 15.3% | 0.8pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 36.0% | 37.4% | 1.4pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 70.2% | 58.1% | 12.0pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 19.1% | 18.4% | 0.7pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 51.0% | 39.7% | 11.4pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 95.2 | 95.7 | 0.6 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.20 children/woman | 1.24 children/woman | 0.04 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 6.4 per 1,000 | 6.8 per 1,000 | 0.4 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 266.9% | 215.3% | 51.6pp 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 Italy for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = Japan has more males
Green = Italy has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = Japan has more females
Orange = Italy 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 Italy has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
64.0M
Japan larger
Growth Since 1950
Japan
+42.4%
Italy
+27.5%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.48
Japan : Italy
| Metric | Japan | Italy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 123.1M | 59.1M | +108.1% |
| Median Age | 50.8 years | 49.2 years | +1.6 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 13.8M 11.2% | 6.9M 11.7% | +100.7% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 72.3M 58.8% | 37.4M 63.2% | +93.4% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 36.9M 30.0% | 14.8M 25.1% | +148.7% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 70.2 per 100 | 58.1 per 100 | +12.0 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 19.1 per 100 | 18.4 per 100 | +0.7 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 51.0 per 100 | 39.7 per 100 | +11.4 |
| Sex Ratio | 95.2 M/100F | 95.7 M/100F | -0.6 |
| Population Structure Type | Constrictive | Constrictive | Same |
Total Population
Japan
123.1M
Italy
59.1M
Median Age
Japan
50.8 years
Italy
49.2 years
Youth Population (0-14)
Japan
13.8M
11.2%
Italy
6.9M
11.7%
Working Age (15-64)
Japan
72.3M
58.8%
Italy
37.4M
63.2%
Elderly Population (65+)
Japan
36.9M
30.0%
Italy
14.8M
25.1%
Total Dependency Ratio
Japan
70.2 per 100
Italy
58.1 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
Japan
19.1 per 100
Italy
18.4 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Japan
51.0 per 100
Italy
39.7 per 100
Sex Ratio
Japan
95.2 M/100F
Italy
95.7 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
Italy became the world's most populous country, ending Japan's centuries-long reign