If Japan were a US state
Where it would rank among 50 states + DC — median rank 2nd
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Where it would rank among 50 states + DC — median rank 2nd
Common questions
Across 16 measures of health, safety, money, education and the environment, Japan's median rank would be 2nd on a list of the 50 states plus Washington, DC. It lands in the top half of that list on 12 of the 16 measures.
Japan's GDP per capita is $55,422, price-adjusted so states and countries sit on one scale. That would rank 52nd of 52 among the states — poorer than most US states. Source: World Bank (PPP), 2025. See the full ranking
People in Japan live 84 years on average — 5.1 years longer than the US figure of 78.9 years. Among the states, Japan would rank 1st of 52. Source: World Bank / UN Population Division, 2024. See the full ranking
Japan's homicide rate is 0.2 per 100k — a lower rate than every US state. Ranked with the states on the lowest rate, it would come 1st of 52. Source: UNODC / WHO, 2023. See the full ranking
On the 17 measures with wide global coverage, Japan's median rank is 22nd out of roughly 190 countries (coverage varies by measure). Rank 1st means best in the world.
Compared with US states, Japan's strongest measure is life expectancy: at 84 years, it would rank 1st of 52. It does equally well on lowest homicide rate. Source: World Bank / UN Population Division, 2024. See the full ranking
Japan's weakest showing is GDP per capita: $55,422 would rank 52nd of 52 — last place on the list. Source: World Bank (PPP), 2025. See the full ranking
Japan scores 6.13 / 10 for self-reported life satisfaction, ranking 63rd of 162 countries worldwide. Source: World Happiness Report, 2025. See the full ranking
Japan has about 123.4 million people — more people than any US state. Dropped into the list of 50 states plus DC, it would rank 1st of 52 by population. Source: World Bank, 2025. See the full ranking