Japan: economy and key statistics
Japan is number 4 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $4.44 trillion in 2025. GDP per person is $35,951. The economy grew by 1.2% in 2025. Unemployment is 2.5%. The economy is 71% services, 27% industry, 1% agriculture. In 311 Institute directories: 332 R&D labs, 27 startups, 24 investors, 10 Titans.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
Japan is number 6 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 67.4 out of 100: economic 87, technology 59, military 49 and human capital 74.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $4.44 trillion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $6.84 trillion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $35,951 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +1.2% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 3.2% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 2.5% | 2025 |
| Population | 123.4 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 69.5 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 71% | 2024 |
| Industry share of GDP | 27% | 2024 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 19% | 2024 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 1% | 2024 |
| Exports share of GDP | 22% | 2024 |
| Foreign direct investment | 1.0% of GDP | 2025 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 18% | 2024 |
| R&D spending | 3.44% of GDP | 2023 |
| Internet users | 86% of people | 2024 |
R&D labs
Largest companies in Japan
- Toyota (#13)
- Seven & I Holdings Co. (#91)
- Sony Group (#97)
- Mazda (#270)
- Yamaha Motor Company (#407)
- Toyota Boshoku (#485)
Startups in Japan
- Balus
- Bitflyer
- Coly
- DOROKUSA
- Dragami Games
- Dymon
- EXNOA
- FFG Computer Service
- G2Studios
- Hirotsu Bio Science Inc.
- Infinity Vector
- NearMe
- Pocketpair
- Postas Co., Ltd.
- Preferred Networks
- Rapidus Corporation
- Sakana AI
- SmartHR
- Space One
- Spincoaster
Investors in Japan
- Integral Corporation
- Pension Fund Association for Local Government Office
- Hoshino Resorts REIT
- Mizuho Capital
- Eclipse Hidaka
- Japan Investment Corporation
- JAFCO
Main export industries
Japan exported goods worth about $707.4bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Vehicles: $150.9bn (21.3% of goods exports)
- Machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors: $125.7bn (17.8% of goods exports)
- Electrical machinery and equipment: $101.1bn (14.3% of goods exports)
- Commodities not specified according to kind: $58.9bn (8.3% of goods exports)
- Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus: $36.2bn (5.1% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in Asia
- China (#2)
- India (#6)
- South Korea (#13)
- Indonesia (#17)
- Singapore (#27)
- Thailand (#29)
- Vietnam (#32)
- Philippines (#33)
- Malaysia (#34)
- Bangladesh (#37)
- Hong Kong (#39)
- Pakistan (#41)
- Sri Lanka (#72)
- Myanmar (#85)
- Macao (#94)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of Japan?
Japan had a GDP of $4.44 trillion in 2025, ranking number 4 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in Japan?
GDP per person in Japan was $35,951 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of Japan growing?
The economy of Japan grew by 1.2% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
© 311 Institute 2026. Facts from Wikidata (CC0) and the sources linked on this page. The selection, classification and links are the proprietary work of the 311 Institute, protected by copyright and database rights.