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When did Mexico overtake Japan in population?

2020: Mexico overtook Japan in population. Mexico leads in 2023. UN annual population estimates.

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What the data shows

  • Mexico: 105.81M in 2005, 129.74M in 2023.
  • Japan: 127.91M in 2005, 124.37M in 2023. It peaked at 128.19M in 2009.

About this chart

Mexico overtook Japan in 2020 in the annual population series. The change is visible between consecutive observations: in 2019, Mexico stood at 125.76 million, against Japan at 126.7 million. In 2020, the order reversed, with Mexico at 126.8 million and Japan at 126.31 million. This is the most recent upward crossing by Mexico in the available record.

By 2023, Mexico was ahead: Mexico recorded 129.74 million and Japan 124.37 million. These are UN World Population Prospects historical estimates, rather than census counts taken simultaneously in both countries. The chart uses the same annual series for each side and stops at the last common estimate, so future medium-variant projections do not determine the crossing.

The data

Source: UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, millions of people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Crossings compare adjacent annual observations; the highlighted year is the most recent upward crossing in this series. Historical UN estimates only; the chart contains no future projections.

Mexico overtakes Japan, Population, millions of people, 2005–2023, 2005–2023
Date🇲🇽 Mexico🇯🇵 Japan
2005105.81M127.91M
2006107.25M128.00M
2007108.77M128.09M
2008110.37M128.16M
2009112.00M128.19M
2010113.62M128.19M
2011115.24M128.10M
2012116.82M127.93M
2013118.34M127.72M
2014119.78M127.49M
2015121.07M127.28M
2016122.25M127.16M
2017123.40M127.07M
2018124.57M126.91M
2019125.76M126.70M
2020126.80M126.31M
2021127.65M125.68M
2022128.61M125.00M
2023129.74M124.37M

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Frequently asked questions

When did Mexico overtake Japan in population?

Mexico overtook Japan in 2020 in the annual population series. Mexico was below Japan in 2019 and above it in 2020.

Which has the larger population in 2023?

By 2023, Mexico was ahead: Mexico recorded 129.74 million and Japan 124.37 million.

What does the population comparison measure?

These are UN World Population Prospects historical estimates, rather than census counts taken simultaneously in both countries. The chart uses the same annual series for each side and stops at the last common estimate, so future medium-variant projections do not determine the crossing.

Where does this data come from?

UN World Population Prospects 2024 via Our World in Data; estimates to 2023, medium-variant projections after, millions of people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Crossings compare adjacent annual observations; the highlighted year is the most recent upward crossing in this series. Historical UN estimates only; the chart contains no future projections. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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