International Migrant Population Statistics in Japan (2026)
As of the 2024 data, 2.8% of the population in Japan were international migrants, per World Bank World Development Indicators. Up from 2.6% in 2020 to 2.8% in 2024 (+0.2 percentage points). Japan ranks #19 of 37 economies in East Asia & Pacific on this measure, and #138 of 216 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 2.8% (2024)
- International Migrant Population in Japan as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank World Development Indicators data.
- Change since 2020
- +0.2 pp (2024)
- Up from 2.6% in 2020 to 2.8% in 2024 (+0.2 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (1990)
- 0.9% (1990)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Up from 0.9% in 1990 to 2.8% in 2024.
- Record high (2024)
- 2.8% (2024)
- The 2024 value is the highest in the available World Bank World Development Indicators series for Japan.
- Rank in East Asia & Pacific
- #19 of 37 (2024)
- Japan ranks 19 of 37 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #138 of 216 (2024)
- Japan ranks 138 of 216 countries with data globally.
- East Asia & Pacific average
- 14.1% (2024)
- Japan (2.8%) is below the average of 14.1% across the 37 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data.
- Personal remittances, received (current US$) (2024)
- $4.6 billion (2024)
- Related indicator from World Bank World Development Indicators.
- Internet use in Japan (2024)
- 85.5% (2024)
- 85.5% of the population in Japan used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 124 million (2024)
- Japan had a population of 124 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 1990–2024
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2.8% | +0.2 pp |
| 2020 | 2.6% | +0.6 pp |
| 2015 | 2% | +0.3 pp |
| 2010 | 1.7% | +0.2 pp |
| 2005 | 1.5% | +0.2 pp |
| 2000 | 1.3% | +0.2 pp |
| 1995 | 1.1% | +0.2 pp |
| 1990 | 0.9% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of people in Japan were international migrants?
2.8% of the population in Japan were international migrants in 2024, according to World Bank World Development Indicators data.
How does Japan compare with other countries in East Asia & Pacific?
Japan ranks 19 of 37 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, with 2.8% versus a regional average of 14.1% (latest values per country).
Where does Japan rank globally on international migrant population?
Japan ranks 138 of 216 countries with data globally, based on the latest World Bank World Development Indicators value for each country.
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator
SM.POP.TOTL.ZS, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .