Japan vs Singapore: Population Comparison 2025
Compare the demographics, population pyramids, and age structures of Japan and Singapore. Explore population trends, growth rates, and demographic indicators.
Japan
Singapore
Population Pyramids Comparison
Total Population
Japan
123.1M
Singapore
5.9M
Youth (0-14)
Japan
11.2%
Singapore
11.7%
Elderly (65+)
Japan
30.0%
Singapore
14.2%
Demographic Analysis: Japan vs Singapore
In 2025, Japan has a population of 123M, while Singapore has 6M. This represents a difference of 117M, with Japan having 21.0 times the population of the other. Japan ranks #12 globally by population size, while Singapore ranks #113.
The median age reveals significant demographic differences: Japan has a median age of 50.8 years, compared to 37.4 years in Singapore. This 13.4-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 Singapore it is 35.0%, 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 Singapore has 106.83. Singapore 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 | Singapore | Difference / Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population Metrics | |||
| Total Population (2025) | 123M | 6M | 21.0x larger |
| World Population Ranking | #12 | #113 | 101 places apart |
| Population Growth Rate (5-year) | -0.51% | +0.88% | 1.39pp difference |
| Projected Growth (2025-2050) | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00pp difference |
| Age Structure | |||
| Median Age | 50.8 years | 37.4 years | 13.4 years older |
| Youth (0-14) Population | 11.2% | 11.7% | 0.5pp difference |
| Working Age (15-64) Population | 58.8% | 74.1% | 15.3pp difference |
| Elderly (65+) Population | 30.0% | 14.2% | 15.8pp difference |
| Youth Bulge (15-29) | 14.5% | 24.1% | 9.6pp difference |
| Prime Workforce (25-54) | 36.0% | 49.2% | 13.2pp difference |
| Demographic Indicators | |||
| Total Dependency Ratio | 70.2% | 35.0% | 35.2pp difference |
| Child Dependency Ratio | 19.1% | 15.8% | 3.3pp difference |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 51.0% | 19.2% | 31.9pp difference |
| Sex Ratio (males per 100 females) | 95.2 | 106.8 | 11.7 difference |
| Total Fertility Rate | 1.20 children/woman | 0.97 children/woman | 0.23 difference |
| Estimated Birth Rate | 6.4 per 1,000 | 8.0 per 1,000 | 1.7 difference |
| Aging Index (65+/0-14) | 266.9% | 121.6% | 145.3pp difference |
| Population Pyramid Type | constrictive | stationary | Different types |
📊 Understanding the Population Difference Chart
This visualization shows where and by how much the populations differ between Japan and Singapore for each age group, split by gender:
Left Side (Males)
Blue = Japan has more males
Green = Singapore has more males
Right Side (Females)
Pink = Japan has more females
Orange = Singapore 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 Singapore has more males in that age group.
Notable Differences (>20% variance):
Population Difference
117.2M
Japan larger
Growth Since 1950
Japan
+42.4%
Singapore
+479.4%
Population Ratio
1 : 0.05
Japan : Singapore
| Metric | Japan | Singapore | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 123.1M | 5.9M | +1996.9% |
| Median Age | 50.8 years | 37.4 years | +13.4 |
| Youth Population (0-14) | 13.8M 11.2% | 686.2K 11.7% | +1916.0% |
| Working Age (15-64) | 72.3M 58.8% | 4.4M 74.1% | +1563.0% |
| Elderly Population (65+) | 36.9M 30.0% | 834.3K 14.2% | +4325.7% |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 70.2 per 100 | 35.0 per 100 | +35.2 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 19.1 per 100 | 15.8 per 100 | +3.3 |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio | 51.0 per 100 | 19.2 per 100 | +31.9 |
| Sex Ratio | 95.2 M/100F | 106.8 M/100F | -11.7 |
| Population Structure Type | Constrictive | Stationary | Different |
Total Population
Japan
123.1M
Singapore
5.9M
Median Age
Japan
50.8 years
Singapore
37.4 years
Youth Population (0-14)
Japan
13.8M
11.2%
Singapore
686.2K
11.7%
Working Age (15-64)
Japan
72.3M
58.8%
Singapore
4.4M
74.1%
Elderly Population (65+)
Japan
36.9M
30.0%
Singapore
834.3K
14.2%
Total Dependency Ratio
Japan
70.2 per 100
Singapore
35.0 per 100
Youth Dependency Ratio
Japan
19.1 per 100
Singapore
15.8 per 100
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Japan
51.0 per 100
Singapore
19.2 per 100
Sex Ratio
Japan
95.2 M/100F
Singapore
106.8 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
Singapore became the world's most populous country, ending Japan's centuries-long reign