Japan and South Korea

Japan on Governance & Institutions →South Korea on Governance & Institutions →

Key statistics · the 4 the Governance & Institutions standing is built from

1. Corruption Perceptions Index

   Transparency International · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 182 countries measured, values run from 9 to 89; the middle country is at 39.

   9dashed: the middle country, 3989

   Japan: 7118th of 181 · rank

   South Korea: 6331st of 181 · rank

2. Government Effectiveness

   World Bank Group · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 209 countries measured, values run from -2.251 to 2.092; the middle country is at 0.101.

   -2.251dashed: the middle country, 0.1012.092

   Japan: 2.041

   South Korea: 1.503

3. Judicial Constraints on the Executive Index

   V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 176 countries measured, values run from 0.003 to 0.988; the middle country is at 0.676.

   0.003dashed: the middle country, 0.6760.988

   Japan: 0.881

   South Korea: 0.872

4. Statistical Performance Indicators

   World Bank Group · 2024 · Higher is better

   Across the 188 countries measured, values run from 27.12 to 94.14; the middle country is at 69.3.

   27.12dashed: the middle country, 69.394.14

   Japan: 90.99

   South Korea: 91.57

Measured for Japan only: Completeness of Birth Registration

Measured for South Korea only: General Government Consumption · Government Funding per Primary Student

Japan on Economy & Innovation →South Korea on Economy & Innovation →

Key statistics · the 4 the Economy & Innovation standing is built from

1. Account Ownership at a Financial Institution

   World Bank Group · 2024 · Higher is better

   Across the 139 countries measured, values run from 14.83 to 99.85; the middle country is at 72.83.

   14.83dashed: the middle country, 72.8399.85

   Japan: 98.52

   South Korea: 96.89

2. Economic Complexity Index

   Growth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · Higher is better

   Across the 145 countries measured, values run from -3.53 to 1.729; the middle country is at 0.131.

   -3.53dashed: the middle country, 0.1311.729

   Japan: 1.7291st of 145 · rank

   South Korea: 1.63rd of 145 · rank

3. Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit

   World Bank Group · latest reading per country · Higher is better

   Across the 179 countries measured, values run from 2.113 to 88.52; the middle country is at 35.95.

   2.113dashed: the middle country, 35.9588.52

   Japan: 83.212025

   South Korea: 50.382024

4. GDP per Capita (PPP)

   World Bank Group · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 185 countries measured, values run from 1,067 to 139,593; the middle country is at 17,265.

   1,067dashed: the middle country, 17,265139,593

   Japan: 48,283

   South Korea: 55,697

Measured for Japan only: New Business Density

Measured for South Korea only: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP) · Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID) · GNI per Capita (PPP) · Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) · Household Consumption · Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) · Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP) · Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP) · Tax Revenue (% of GDP) · Trade (% of GDP)

Japan on Work & Labour →South Korea on Work & Labour →

Key statistics · the 4 the Work & Labour standing is built from

1. Employment-to-Population Ratio

   ILO · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 182 countries measured, values run from 21.21 to 86.9; the middle country is at 57.72.

   21.21dashed: the middle country, 57.7286.9

   Japan: 61.89

   South Korea: 62.62

2. Labour Income Share

   ILO · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 182 countries measured, values run from 9.691 to 75.13; the middle country is at 46.23.

   9.691dashed: the middle country, 46.2375.13

   Japan: 54.41

   South Korea: 58.68

3. Unemployment Rate

   ILO · 2025 · Lower is better

   Across the 182 countries measured, values run from 0.13 to 34.2; the middle country is at 5.084.

   0.13dashed: the middle country, 5.08434.2

   Japan: 2.451

   South Korea: 2.683

4. Vulnerable Employment

   ILO · 2025 · Lower is better

   Across the 182 countries measured, values run from 0.456 to 90.22; the middle country is at 28.67.

   0.456dashed: the middle country, 28.6790.22

   Japan: 7.487

   South Korea: 17.69

Measured for South Korea only: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per Worker · Informal Employment Rate · Share of Temporary Employees

Japan on Education & Knowledge →South Korea on Education & Knowledge →

Key statistics · the 4 the Education & Knowledge standing is built from

1. Government Spending on Education

   UIS · 2023 · Higher is better

   Across the 123 countries measured, values run from 0 to 16.39; the middle country is at 3.709.

   0dashed: the middle country, 3.70916.39

   Japan: no reading in this edition

   South Korea: no reading in this edition

2. Out-of-School Rate, Primary

   UIS · latest reading per country · Lower is better

   Across the 192 countries measured, values run from 0.004 to 65.6; the middle country is at 3.691.

   0.004dashed: the middle country, 3.69165.6

   Japan: 0.0682023

   South Korea: 0.0562024

3. Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary

   UIS · latest reading per country · Higher is better

   Across the 187 countries measured, values run from 3.411 to 100; the middle country is at 85.9.

   3.411dashed: the middle country, 85.9100

   Japan: 94.832023

   South Korea: 94.512024

4. Upper Secondary Completion Rate

   UIS · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 164 countries measured, values run from 2.13 to 99.27; the middle country is at 64.87.

   2.13dashed: the middle country, 64.8799.27

   Japan: no reading in this edition

   South Korea: 99.27

Measured for South Korea only: Adult Literacy Rate · Bachelor's or Higher Attainment · Female Share of STEM Graduates · Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment · Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary · Lower Secondary Completion Rate · Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Primary · Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age · Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate · Primary Schools with Electricity · Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching · Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary · Qualified Teachers in Primary Education · School Life Expectancy · Secondary School Enrolment · Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes · Tertiary Enrolment Ratio · Upper Secondary Attainment · Youth Literacy Rate

Japan on Health & Wellbeing →South Korea on Health & Wellbeing →

Key statistics · the 4 the Health & Wellbeing standing is built from

1. Life Expectancy at Birth

   UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · Higher is better

   Across the 222 countries measured, values run from 54.46 to 86.37; the middle country is at 74.63.

   54.46dashed: the middle country, 74.6386.37

   Japan: 84.71

   South Korea: 84.33

2. Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity

   FAO · 2023 · Lower is better

   Across the 133 countries measured, values run from 0 to 63.1; the middle country is at 4.7.

   0dashed: the middle country, 4.763.1

   Japan: 1.1

   South Korea: 1.1

3. Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five

   UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · latest reading per country · Lower is better

   Across the 162 countries measured, values run from 0.518 to 52.8; the middle country is at 13.8.

   0.518dashed: the middle country, 13.852.8

   Japan: no reading in this edition

   South Korea: 0.8522020

4. Under-Five Mortality Rate

   UN IGME · 2024 · Lower is better

   Across the 200 countries measured, values run from 1.26 to 115.65; the middle country is at 14.54.

   1.26dashed: the middle country, 14.54115.65

   Japan: 2.434

   South Korea: 2.796

Measured for Japan only: Births Attended by Skilled Health Staff · Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health Spending

Measured for South Korea only: Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four Visits · Caesarean Section Rate · Fish and Seafood Supply per Person · Fruit Supply per Person · Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) · Meat Supply per Person · Prevalence of Undernourishment · Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and Tubers · Vegetable Supply per Person

Japan on Development & Human Capital →South Korea on Development & Human Capital →

Key statistics · the 3 the Development & Human Capital standing is built from

1. Human Development Index

   UNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · Higher is better

   Across the 193 countries measured, values run from 0.388 to 0.972; the middle country is at 0.762.

   0.388dashed: the middle country, 0.7620.972

   Japan: 0.92523rd of 193 · rank

   South Korea: 0.93720th of 193 · rank

2. Maternal Mortality Ratio

   MMEIG · 2023 · Lower is better

   Across the 195 countries measured, values run from 0.11 to 992.83; the middle country is at 46.65.

   0.11dashed: the middle country, 46.65992.83

   Japan: 3.08

   South Korea: 3.79

3. Social Protection Coverage

   ILO · latest reading per country · Higher is better

   Across the 209 countries measured, values run from 0 to 100; the middle country is at 52.1.

   0dashed: the middle country, 52.1100

   Japan: 94.62020

   South Korea: 80.22022

Japan on Environment & Sustainability →South Korea on Environment & Sustainability →

Key statistics · the 4 the Environment & Sustainability standing is built from

1. CO₂ Emissions per Capita

   Global Carbon Project · 2024 · Lower is better

   Across the 210 countries measured, values run from 0.054 to 41.27; the middle country is at 3.21.

   0.054dashed: the middle country, 3.2141.27

   Japan: 7.772

   South Korea: 11.29

2. Ecological Footprint

   Global Footprint Network · 2025 · Lower is better

   Across the 126 countries measured, values run from 0.514 to 11.73; the middle country is at 2.296.

   0.514dashed: the middle country, 2.29611.73

   Japan: 3.936

   South Korea: 5.106

3. Organic Agricultural Area

   FAO · 2024 · Higher is better

   Across the 156 countries measured, values run from 0 to 86.38; the middle country is at 0.725.

   0dashed: the middle country, 0.72586.38

   Japan: 0.48

   South Korea: 2.42

4. Water Stress

   FAO · 2023 · Lower is better

   Across the 177 countries measured, values run from 0.03 to 3,851; the middle country is at 10.

   0.03dashed: the middle country, 103,851

   Japan: 35.4

   South Korea: 85.22

Measured for Japan only: Agricultural Irrigated Land · Environmentally Related Tax Revenue · Mangrove Area

Japan on Gender & Equality →South Korea on Gender & Equality →

Key statistics · the 4 the Gender & Equality standing is built from

1. Firms with a Female Top Manager

   World Bank Group · latest reading per country · Higher is better

   Across the 179 countries measured, values run from 1.429 to 62.9; the middle country is at 19.16.

   1.429dashed: the middle country, 19.1662.9

   Japan: 9.6252025

   South Korea: 44.392024

2. Social Institutions and Gender Index

   OECD · 2023 · Lower is better

   Across the 140 countries measured, values run from 6.7 to 67.4; the middle country is at 25.2.

   6.7dashed: the middle country, 25.267.4

   Japan: 32.9

   South Korea: 19.8

3. Women, Business and the Law

   World Bank Group · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 190 countries measured, values run from 3.125 to 100; the middle country is at 81.25.

   3.125dashed: the middle country, 81.25100

   Japan: 81.25

   South Korea: 88.13

4. Women's Political Empowerment Index

   V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 176 countries measured, values run from 0.028 to 0.954; the middle country is at 0.772.

   0.028dashed: the middle country, 0.7720.954

   Japan: 0.844

   South Korea: 0.878

Measured for Japan only: Global Gender Parity Index · Women's Empowerment Index

Measured for South Korea only: Legal Guarantees of Women's Equal Rights to Land

Japan on Democracy & Civil Liberties →South Korea on Democracy & Civil Liberties →

Key statistics · the 4 the Democracy & Civil Liberties standing is built from

1. Civic Space Ratings

   CIVICUS · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 198 countries measured, values run from 2.17 to 100; the middle country is at 50.46.

   2.17dashed: the middle country, 50.46100

   Japan: 87.72

   South Korea: 72.93

2. Perceptions of Electoral Integrity Index

   EIP · latest reading per country · Higher is better

   Across the 171 countries measured, values run from 12.86 to 88.61; the middle country is at 54.78.

   12.86dashed: the middle country, 54.7888.61

   Japan: 68.45

   South Korea: 67.86

3. Rule of Law

   World Bank Group · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 211 countries measured, values run from -2.199 to 2.012; the middle country is at -0.102.

   -2.199dashed: the middle country, -0.1022.012

   Japan: 1.542

   South Korea: 1.195

4. V-Dem Electoral Democracy Index

   V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 176 countries measured, values run from 0.016 to 0.913; the middle country is at 0.497.

   0.016dashed: the middle country, 0.4970.913

   Japan: 0.819

   South Korea: 0.819

Japan on Peace & Security →South Korea on Peace & Security →

Key statistics · the 4 the Peace & Security standing is built from

1. Global Militarisation Index

   BICC · 2023 · Lower is better

   Across the 149 countries measured, values run from 3.512 to 351.09; the middle country is at 100.66.

   3.512dashed: the middle country, 100.66351.09

   Japan: 73.61107th of 149 · rank

   South Korea: 189.8717th of 149 · rank

2. Physical Violence Index

   V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 176 countries measured, values run from 0.053 to 0.989; the middle country is at 0.79.

   0.053dashed: the middle country, 0.790.989

   Japan: 0.949

   South Korea: 0.952

3. Political Stability and Absence of Violence

   World Bank Group · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 211 countries measured, values run from -2.506 to 1.563; the middle country is at 0.171.

   -2.506dashed: the middle country, 0.1711.563

   Japan: 1.259

   South Korea: 0.917

4. Political Violence by Non-State Actors

   V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · Lower is better

   Across the 171 countries measured, values run from -3.182 to 3.375; the middle country is at -0.661.

   -3.182dashed: the middle country, -0.6613.375

   Japan: -1.507

   South Korea: -1.112

Japan on Risk & Resilience →South Korea on Risk & Resilience →

Key statistics · the 4 the Risk & Resilience standing is built from

1. Able to Raise Emergency Funds Within 30 Days

   World Bank Group · latest reading per country · Higher is better

   Across the 142 countries measured, values run from 16.49 to 93.69; the middle country is at 53.85.

   16.49dashed: the middle country, 53.8593.69

   Japan: 79.66

   South Korea: 80.95

2. Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)

   Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · Lower is better

   Across the 190 countries measured, values run from 0.263 to 0.655; the middle country is at 0.45.

   0.263dashed: the middle country, 0.450.655

   Japan: 0.35329th of 190 · rank

   South Korea: 0.35633rd of 190 · rank

3. INFORM Risk Index

   European Commission Joint Research Centre, with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee · 2025 · Lower is better

   Across the 191 countries measured, values run from 0.7 to 8.5; the middle country is at 3.7.

   0.7dashed: the middle country, 3.78.5

   Japan: 2.1

   South Korea: 2

4. World Risk Index

   Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · Lower is better

   Across the 193 countries measured, values run from 0.18 to 46.56; the middle country is at 4.17.

   0.18dashed: the middle country, 4.1746.56

   Japan: 24.81

   South Korea: 11.01

Measured for South Korea only: Per Capita Food Supply Variability

Japan on Mobility & Trade →South Korea on Mobility & Trade →

Key statistics · the 4 the Mobility & Trade standing is built from

1. Container Import Dwell Time

   World Bank Group · 2024 · Lower is better

   Across the 156 countries measured, values run from 1 to 21.6; the middle country is at 4.4.

   1dashed: the middle country, 4.421.6

   Japan: 5.6

   South Korea: 4.1

2. ICT Goods Exports

   UNCTAD · 2024 · Higher is better

   Across the 120 countries measured, values run from 0 to 61.45; the middle country is at 0.975.

   0dashed: the middle country, 0.97561.45

   Japan: 7.64

   South Korea: 28.33

3. Liner Shipping Connectivity Index

   UNCTAD · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 168 countries measured, values run from 4.13 to 1,313; the middle country is at 60.84.

   4.13dashed: the middle country, 60.841,313

   Japan: 424.717th of 177 · rank

   South Korea: 631.32nd of 177 · rank

4. Logistics Performance Index

   World Bank Group · 2023 · Higher is better

   Across the 139 countries measured, values run from 1.9 to 4.3; the middle country is at 2.9.

   1.9dashed: the middle country, 2.94.3

   Japan: 3.913th of 139 · rank

   South Korea: 3.817th of 139 · rank

Measured for South Korea only: Cereal Import Dependency Ratio

Japan on Food & Agriculture →South Korea on Food & Agriculture →

Key statistics · the 4 the Food & Agriculture standing is built from

1. Agriculture Orientation Index

   FAO · 2024 · Higher is better

   Across the 132 countries measured, values run from 0.03 to 5.38; the middle country is at 0.305.

   0.03dashed: the middle country, 0.3055.38

   Japan: no reading in this edition

   South Korea: no reading in this edition

2. Cereal Yield

   FAO · 2023 · Higher is better

   Across the 179 countries measured, values run from 23 to 29,147; the middle country is at 3,072.

   23dashed: the middle country, 3,07229,147

   Japan: 6,245

   South Korea: 6,615

3. Dietary Energy Supply

   FAO · 2024 · Higher is better

   Across the 155 countries measured, values run from 1,757 to 3,962; the middle country is at 2,982.

   1,757dashed: the middle country, 2,9823,962

   Japan: no reading in this edition

   South Korea: 3,419

4. Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)

   FAO · 2024 · Higher is better

   Across the 186 countries measured, values run from 1.67 to 4.57; the middle country is at 3.14.

   1.67dashed: the middle country, 3.144.57

   Japan: 4.17

   South Korea: 3.29

Japan on Poverty & Inequality →South Korea on Poverty & Inequality →

Key statistics · the 3 the Poverty & Inequality standing is built from

1. Gini Index

   World Bank Group · latest reading per country · Lower is better

   Across the 159 countries measured, values run from 23 to 59.07; the middle country is at 33.72.

   23dashed: the middle country, 33.7259.07

   Japan: 32.342020

   South Korea: 32.912021

2. Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day

   World Bank Group · latest reading per country · Lower is better

   Across the 159 countries measured, values run from 0 to 48.69; the middle country is at 0.345.

   0dashed: the middle country, 0.34548.69

   Japan: 0.552020

   South Korea: 0.062021

3. Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy Diet

   FAO · 2025 · Lower is better

   Across the 145 countries measured, values run from 0.6 to 93.9; the middle country is at 26.4.

   0.6dashed: the middle country, 26.493.9

   Japan: 13.2

   South Korea: 5.3

Measured for South Korea only: Income Growth of the Poorest 40%

Japan on Digital & Technology →South Korea on Digital & Technology →

Key statistics · the 4 the Digital & Technology standing is built from

1. Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports

   UNCTAD · 2024 · Higher is better

   Across the 170 countries measured, values run from 0.377 to 87.15; the middle country is at 25.42.

   0.377dashed: the middle country, 25.4287.15

   Japan: 52.9

   South Korea: 50.66

2. Government AI Readiness Index

   Oxford Insights · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 195 countries measured, values run from 12.12 to 88.36; the middle country is at 40.19.

   12.12dashed: the middle country, 40.1988.36

   Japan: 72.2414th of 195 · rank

   South Korea: 76.895th of 195 · rank

3. Government Cyber Security Capacity

   V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 176 countries measured, values run from -2.66 to 3.715; the middle country is at 0.196.

   -2.66dashed: the middle country, 0.1963.715

   Japan: 1.43

   South Korea: 2.231

4. GovTech Maturity Index

   World Bank Group · 2025 · Higher is better

   Across the 196 countries measured, values run from 0.01 to 0.997; the middle country is at 0.63.

   0.01dashed: the middle country, 0.630.997

   Japan: 0.905

   South Korea: 0.997