Compare countries · Japan vs South Korea
Japan vs South Korea
Japan(Asia)·
South Korea(Asia)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Japan leads on 5, South Korea on 4, 4 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)
Japan
47.5
Worse than 61% of countries
South Korea
61.6
Worse than 83% of countries
Japan: 23% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
14.7
Around the global middle
South Korea
16.1
Worse than 59% of countries
Japan: 9% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Japan
1.40
Better than 93% of countries
South Korea
1.80
Better than 73% of countries
Japan: more peaceful (1.40 vs 1.80).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Japan
77.2
Better than 93% of countries
South Korea
71.0
Better than 80% of countries
Japan: higher perceived safety (77.2 vs 71.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Japan
0.920
Better than 88% of countries
South Korea
0.929
Better than 91% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Japan
$55,422
Better than 79% of countries
South Korea
$63,125
Better than 84% of countries
South Korea: 14% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Japan
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
South Korea
83.6 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Japan
80.1
Better than 96% of countries
South Korea
82.9
Better than 98% of countries
South Korea: better-rated healthcare (82.9 vs 80.1).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Japan
256 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
South Korea
253 Mbps
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Japan
63/100
Better than 65% of countries
South Korea
69/100
Better than 73% of countries
South Korea: freer press (69 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Japan
6.13
Better than 58% of countries
South Korea
6.04
Around the global middle
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Japan
446
Worse than 80% of countries
South Korea
522
Better than 57% of countries
South Korea: stronger English proficiency (522 vs 446).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Japan
83.8
Better than 59% of countries
South Korea
71.9
Worse than 66% of countries
Japan: more pleasant climate rating (83.8 vs 71.9).
Deciding between Japan and South Korea for real?
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Find your match →Full Japan profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full South Korea profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.