Compare countries · China vs Japan
China vs Japan
Across 13 comparable indicators: China leads on 3, Japan on 8, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
30.5
Better than 79% of countries
Japan
47.5
Worse than 61% of countries
China: 36% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
China
10.4
Better than 73% of countries
Japan
14.7
Around the global middle
China: 29% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
China
2.01
Around the global middle
Japan
1.40
Better than 93% of countries
Japan: more peaceful (1.40 vs 2.01).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
China
76.9
Better than 93% of countries
Japan
77.2
Better than 93% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
China
0.788
Better than 61% of countries
Japan
0.920
Better than 88% of countries
Japan: higher human development (0.920 vs 0.788).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
China
$29,333
Better than 61% of countries
Japan
$55,422
Better than 79% of countries
Japan: 89% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
China
78.0 yrs
Better than 71% of countries
Japan
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Japan: 6.0 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
China
69.2
Better than 68% of countries
Japan
80.1
Better than 96% of countries
Japan: better-rated healthcare (80.1 vs 69.2).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
China
212 Mbps
Better than 82% of countries
Japan
256 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
Japan: 21% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
China
14/100
Worse than 99% of countries
Japan
63/100
Better than 65% of countries
Japan: freer press (63 vs 14 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
China
6.07
Better than 56% of countries
Japan
6.13
Better than 58% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
China
464
Worse than 74% of countries
Japan
446
Worse than 80% of countries
China: stronger English proficiency (464 vs 446).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
China
74.4
Worse than 63% of countries
Japan
83.8
Better than 59% of countries
Japan: more pleasant climate rating (83.8 vs 74.4).
Deciding between China and Japan for real?
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Find your match →Full China profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.