Compare countries · Japan vs Thailand
Japan vs Thailand
Across 13 comparable indicators: Japan leads on 9, Thailand on 4. 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
Thailand
38.0
Better than 62% of countries
Thailand: 20% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
14.7
Around the global middle
Thailand
13.9
Around the global middle
Thailand: 5% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Japan
1.40
Better than 93% of countries
Thailand
2.09
Worse than 61% of countries
Japan: more peaceful (1.40 vs 2.09).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Japan
77.2
Better than 93% of countries
Thailand
63.4
Better than 68% of countries
Japan: higher perceived safety (77.2 vs 63.4).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Japan
0.920
Better than 88% of countries
Thailand
0.803
Better than 66% of countries
Japan: higher human development (0.920 vs 0.803).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Japan
$55,422
Better than 79% of countries
Thailand
$26,250
Better than 58% of countries
Japan: 111% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Japan
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Thailand
76.6 yrs
Better than 62% of countries
Japan: 7.4 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Japan
80.1
Better than 96% of countries
Thailand
77.5
Better than 92% of countries
Japan: better-rated healthcare (80.1 vs 77.5).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Japan
256 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
Thailand
274 Mbps
Better than 91% of countries
Thailand: 7% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Japan
63/100
Better than 65% of countries
Thailand
54/100
Around the global middle
Japan: freer press (63 vs 54 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Japan
6.13
Better than 58% of countries
Thailand
6.30
Better than 65% of countries
Thailand: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.30 vs 6.13).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Japan
446
Worse than 80% of countries
Thailand
402
Worse than 95% of countries
Japan: stronger English proficiency (446 vs 402).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Japan
83.8
Better than 59% of countries
Thailand
68.0
Worse than 82% of countries
Japan: more pleasant climate rating (83.8 vs 68.0).
Deciding between Japan and Thailand 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.