Germany vs Japan: Municipal waste generated

Germany
51.02 million tonnes
in 2023
Japan
40.95 million tonnes
in 2021
Germany rank
2nd
Japan rank
4th

Municipal waste generated over time

  • Germany
  • Japan
020.0M40.0M60.0M200020112023

How they compare

Germany currently reports 51.02 million tonnes against 40.95 million tonnes in Japan, a difference of 10.06 million tonnes.

That makes Germany's figure about 1.2 times Japan's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 22 shared years of data; in 2000 it was Japan ahead.

Germany ranks 2nd and Japan ranks 4th of 75 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, Germany averaged higher in 2 and Japan in 1.

Head to head by decade

Decade Germany Japan Difference Ahead
2000s 49.34 million tonnes 52.13 million tonnes 2.79 million tonnes Japan
2010s 50.63 million tonnes 44.07 million tonnes 6.56 million tonnes Germany
2020s 53.60 million tonnes 41.31 million tonnes 12.29 million tonnes Germany

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher municipal waste generated, Germany or Japan?
Germany, at 51.02 million tonnes against 40.95 million tonnes in Japan as of 2023.
What is the difference in municipal waste generated between Germany and Japan?
10.06 million tonnes, with Germany ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Germany and Japan?
22 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2021.
How do Germany and Japan rank globally for municipal waste generated?
Germany ranks 2nd and Japan ranks 4th of 75 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Municipal waste generated (Tonnes). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Germany vs Japan: Municipal waste generated. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 15 August 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/municipal-waste-generated-tonnes/germany/japan/

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About this data

Indicator
Municipal waste generated (Tonnes)
Unit
tonnes
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
77 places, 1,389 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed