Japan vs United States: Yearly number of objects launched into outer space
Japan
30
in 2025
United States
3,708
in 2025
Japan rank
4th
United States rank
1st
Yearly number of objects launched into outer space over time
- Japan
- United States
How they compare
United States currently reports 3,708 against 30 in Japan, a difference of 3,678.
That makes United States's figure about 123.6 times Japan's.
Across all 55 years both countries report, United States has been ahead every year.
Japan ranks 4th and United States ranks 1st of 50 countries.
United States has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Japan | United States | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 2 | 29.67 | 27.67 | United States |
| 1980s | 2.7 | 20.8 | 18.1 | United States |
| 1990s | 3.6 | 51 | 47.4 | United States |
| 2000s | 6.6 | 33.8 | 27.2 | United States |
| 2010s | 12 | 132.5 | 120.5 | United States |
| 2020s | 19.5 | 2,059 | 2,040 | United States |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher yearly number of objects launched into outer space, Japan or United States?
- United States, at 3,708 against 30 in Japan as of 2025.
- What is the difference in yearly number of objects launched into outer space between Japan and United States?
- 3,678, with United States ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Japan and United States?
- 55 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2025.
- How do Japan and United States rank globally for yearly number of objects launched into outer space?
- Japan ranks 4th and United States ranks 1st of 50 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Our World in Data, published as Yearly number of objects launched into outer space. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.