Average non-HDL cholesterol levels in Japan
Japan: Average non-HDL cholesterol levels was 3.4 in 2018. ▬ Flat
Average non-HDL cholesterol levels in Japan, 1980–2018
Source: World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
Analysis
Japan recorded 3.4 for average non-hdl cholesterol levels in 2018. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.
That represents a change of down 2.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average non-hdl cholesterol levels in Japan peaked at 3.5 in 1980 and was at its lowest, 3.4, in 2012.
Japan ranks 75th of 191 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Average non-HDL cholesterol levels in Japan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 3.5 | — |
| 1981 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1982 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1983 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1984 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1985 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1987 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1989 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1991 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1993 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1995 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1996 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1997 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 1999 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2002 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2007 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2009 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 3.5 | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 3.4 | -2.9% |
| 2013 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2017 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 3.4 | +0.0% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 3.4 is below the median for high income countries, which is 3.5, 97% of the median. (61 countries reporting)
- Japan's 3.4 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3.5, 97% of the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.42 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 9 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 75 Argentina 3.4 compare
- 75 Belize 3.4 compare
- 75 Brazil 3.4 compare
- 75 Chile 3.4 compare
- 75 Germany 3.4 compare
- 75 Israel 3.4 compare
- 75 New Zealand 3.4 compare
- 75 Nicaragua 3.4 compare
- 75 Niue 3.4 compare
- 75 North Korea 3.4 compare
- 75 Oman 3.4 compare
- 75 Peru 3.4 compare
- 75 Saudi Arabia 3.4 compare
- 75 South Korea 3.4 compare
- 75 Sweden 3.4 compare
- 75 Switzerland 3.4 compare
- 75 Syria 3.4 compare
- 75 Tuvalu 3.4 compare
- 75 Yemen 3.4 compare
More reference data data for Japan
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.19 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.981 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3629 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 4.49 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 3.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 4.16 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.57 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 23.74 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.98 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average non-hdl cholesterol levels in Japan?
- Average non-hdl cholesterol levels in Japan was 3.4 in 2018, according to World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest average non-hdl cholesterol levels recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 3.5 in 1980.
- What is the lowest average non-hdl cholesterol levels recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.4 in 2012.
- How does Japan rank for average non-hdl cholesterol levels?
- Japan ranks 75th out of 191 countries with data for 2018.
- Is average non-hdl cholesterol levels rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization – Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Average non-HDL cholesterol levels. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 39 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The estimated average level of non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) cholesterol, commonly known as "bad cholesterol". Healthy levels are considered to be under 4mmol/L. Elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol are a risk factor for chronic complications, including cardiovascular disease, and premature death.