Compare countries · Japan vs United Kingdom
Japan vs United Kingdom
Japan(Asia)·
United Kingdom(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Japan leads on 7, United Kingdom on 6. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Japan cheaper than United Kingdom?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Japan at 47.5 and United Kingdom at 67.8. Japan is about 30% cheaper overall.
Is Japan or United Kingdom safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Japan scores 1.49 and United Kingdom scores 1.73. Japan ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Japan or United Kingdom?
On the UN Human Development Index, Japan scores 0.925 and United Kingdom scores 0.946. United Kingdom scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Japan compared to United Kingdom?
GNI per capita runs $38,340 in Japan against $54,550 in United Kingdom; people live 84.0 years on average against 81.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 80 against 73. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
47.5
Worse than 61% of countries
United Kingdom
67.8
Worse than 86% of countries
Japan: 30% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
14.7
Around the global middle
United Kingdom
32.1
Worse than 90% of countries
Japan: 54% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Japan
1.49
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
Japan: more peaceful (1.49 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Japan
77.2
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom
51.7
Worse than 59% of countries
Japan: higher perceived safety (77.2 vs 51.7).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Japan
0.925
Better than 88% of countries
United Kingdom
0.946
Better than 93% of countries
United Kingdom: higher human development (0.946 vs 0.925).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Japan
$55,422
Better than 79% of countries
United Kingdom
$64,606
Better than 86% of countries
United Kingdom: 17% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Japan
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
United Kingdom
81.4 yrs
Better than 81% of countries
Japan: 2.6 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Japan
80.1
Better than 96% of countries
United Kingdom
72.7
Better than 80% of countries
Japan: better-rated healthcare (80.1 vs 72.7).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Japan
256 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
United Kingdom
167 Mbps
Better than 73% of countries
Japan: 53% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Japan
63/100
Better than 65% of countries
United Kingdom
80/100
Better than 90% of countries
United Kingdom: freer press (80 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Japan
6.13
Better than 58% of countries
United Kingdom
6.69
Better than 81% of countries
United Kingdom: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.69 vs 6.13).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Japan
446
Worse than 80% of countries
United Kingdom
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Kingdom: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 446).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Japan
83.8
Better than 59% of countries
United Kingdom
87.8
Better than 69% of countries
United Kingdom: more pleasant climate rating (87.8 vs 83.8).
Deciding between Japan and United Kingdom for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Japan profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Kingdom profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.