Compare countries · Germany vs Japan
Germany vs Japan
Across 13 comparable indicators: Germany leads on 5, Japan on 7, 1 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
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Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Germany
68.7
Worse than 89% of countries
Japan
47.5
Worse than 61% of countries
Japan: 31% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Germany
24.6
Worse than 80% of countries
Japan
14.7
Around the global middle
Japan: 40% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Germany
1.48
Better than 89% of countries
Japan
1.40
Better than 93% of countries
Japan: more peaceful (1.40 vs 1.48).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Germany
61.6
Better than 64% of countries
Japan
77.2
Better than 93% of countries
Japan: higher perceived safety (77.2 vs 61.6).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Germany
0.950
Better than 96% of countries
Japan
0.920
Better than 88% of countries
Germany: higher human development (0.950 vs 0.920).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Germany
$75,407
Better than 90% of countries
Japan
$55,422
Better than 79% of countries
Germany: 36% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Germany
80.8 yrs
Better than 79% of countries
Japan
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Japan: 3.2 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Germany
72.4
Better than 79% of countries
Japan
80.1
Better than 96% of countries
Japan: better-rated healthcare (80.1 vs 72.4).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Germany
103 Mbps
Better than 58% of countries
Japan
256 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
Japan: 149% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Germany
82/100
Better than 92% of countries
Japan
63/100
Better than 65% of countries
Germany: freer press (82 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Germany
6.88
Better than 89% of countries
Japan
6.13
Better than 58% of countries
Germany: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.88 vs 6.13).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Germany
615
Better than 91% of countries
Japan
446
Worse than 80% of countries
Germany: stronger English proficiency (615 vs 446).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Germany
82.9
Better than 57% of countries
Japan
83.8
Better than 59% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Quick answers
Is Germany cheaper than Japan?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Germany at 68.7 and Japan at 47.5. Japan is about 31% cheaper overall.
Is Germany or Japan safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Germany scores 1.48 and Japan scores 1.40. Japan ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Germany or Japan?
On the UN Human Development Index, Germany scores 0.950 and Japan scores 0.920. Germany scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
Deciding between Germany and Japan for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.