Japan vs Republic of Korea: Municipal waste recycled

Japan
8.04 million tonnes
in 2021
Republic of Korea
13.17 million tonnes
in 2022
Japan rank
10th
Republic of Korea rank
6th

Municipal waste recycled over time

  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
05.0M10.0M15.0M200020112022

How they compare

Republic of Korea currently reports 13.17 million tonnes against 8.04 million tonnes in Japan, a difference of 5.13 million tonnes.

That makes Republic of Korea's figure about 1.6 times Japan's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 20 shared years of data; in 2000 it was Japan ahead.

Japan ranks 10th and Republic of Korea ranks 6th of 91 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, Japan averaged higher in 1 and Republic of Korea in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade Japan Republic of Korea Difference Ahead
2000s 9.08 million tonnes 9.02 million tonnes 57,888 tonnes Japan
2010s 8.84 million tonnes 11.15 million tonnes 2.32 million tonnes Republic of Korea
2020s 8.10 million tonnes 12.48 million tonnes 4.38 million tonnes Republic of Korea

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher municipal waste recycled, Japan or Republic of Korea?
Republic of Korea, at 13.17 million tonnes against 8.04 million tonnes in Japan as of 2022.
What is the difference in municipal waste recycled between Japan and Republic of Korea?
5.13 million tonnes, with Republic of Korea ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Japan and Republic of Korea?
20 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2021.
How do Japan and Republic of Korea rank globally for municipal waste recycled?
Japan ranks 10th and Republic of Korea ranks 6th of 91 countries.
Where does this data come from?
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as Municipal waste recycled (Tonnes). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Japan vs Republic of Korea: Municipal waste recycled. Statizoid, drawing on United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Retrieved 07 September 2026, from https://environment.statizoid.com/compare/municipal-waste-recycled-tonnes/japan/republic-of-korea/

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About this data

Indicator
Municipal waste recycled (Tonnes)
Unit
tonnes
Source
United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database
Licence
UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested)
Coverage
94 places, 1,587 data points, 2000–2024
Last refreshed