Politics and governmentPopulation and FamilyEconomy and industryWorkEducation and mediaScience and technologyEnvironment and energyInternational relationsSecurityHealthFoodLeisure and SportsLife World\nMajor advanced countries\nNordic and major advanced countries\nOECD members\nEU+Japan\nASIA\nTPP\n

Australia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkey\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n Choose a country to compare\n----------\nAustralia\nAustria\nBelgium\nCanada\nChile\nCzech Republic\nDenmark\nEstonia\nFinland\nFrance\nGermany\nGreece\nHungary\nIceland\nIreland\nIsrael\nItaly\nJapan\nRepublic of Korea\nLatvia\nLithuania\nLuxembourg\nMexico\nNetherlands\nNew Zealand\nNorway\nPoland\nPortugal\nSlovakia\nSlovenia\nSpain\nSweden\nSwitzerland\nTurkey\nUnited Kingdom\nUnited States\n

Election and Democracy Japan Sweden Voter turnout in the national election 52.7% (June 2019 or latest) [30/36countries] < 87.2% (June 2019 or latest) [4/36countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, always to vote in elections 5.53 (2014) [18/26countries] < 6.25 (2014) [4/26countries] % of those who think that the last national election was honest regarding the counting and reporting of the votes 66.4% (2014) [18/26countries] < 92.8% (2014) [2/26countries] % of those who think that the last national election was fair regarding the opportunities of the candidates and parties to campaign 46.3% (2014) [19/26countries] < 71.9% (2014) [3/26countries] % of those who think that referendums are a good way to decide important political questions 61.2% (2014) [17/26countries] < 66.9% (2014) [12/26countries] % of those who are proud of their country in the way democracy works 71.5% (2013) [8/26countries] < 80.9% (2013) [4/26countries] % of those who think that giving people more say is the most important aim of the country out of maintaining national order/ giving people more say/ fighting rising prices/ protecting freedom of speech 43.9% (2010) [2/25countries] > 22.3% (2010) [16/25countries] % of those who think that protecting freedom of speech is the most important aim of the country out of maintaining national order/ giving people more say/ fighting rising prices/ protecting freedom of speech 3.6% (2010) [24/25countries] < 15.1% (2010) [6/25countries] Extent to which people think democracy works well in their country today 5.24 (2014) [16/26countries] < 7.10 (2014) [4/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy worked well in their country 10 years ago 5.33 (2014) [18/26countries] < 7.43 (2014) [4/26countries] Extent to which people think democracy will work well in their country 10 years from now 4.82 (2014) [21/26countries] < 6.78 (2014) [4/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that all citizens have an adequate standard of living 5.97 (2014) [24/26countries] < 6.52 (2014) [9/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that government authorities respect and protect the rights of minorities 4.59 (2014) [26/26countries] < 6.32 (2014) [5/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that people be given more opportunities to participate in public decision-making 5.34 (2014) [25/26countries] < 5.81 (2014) [16/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that citizens may engage in acts of civil disobedience when they oppose government actions 4.43 (2014) [17/26countries] < 4.77 (2014) [12/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that governments respect democratic rights whatever the circumstances 5.66 (2014) [24/26countries] < 6.63 (2014) [2/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that people convicted of serious crimes lose their citizen rights 4.94 (2014) [15/26countries] > 3.93 (2014) [26/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that long-term residents of a country, who are not citizens, have the right to vote in that country�fs national elections 4.59 (2014) [6/26countries] > 3.32 (2014) [22/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that citizens have the right not to vote 3.61 (2014) [26/26countries] < 5.61 (2014) [4/26countries] Extent to which people think it important that health care be provided for everyone 6.43 (2014) [18/26countries] < 6.79 (2014) [3/26countries] Politician Japan Sweden Number of total seats in the Parliament 707 (2017) [4/36countries] > 349 (2017) [12/36countries] Number of total seats in the Parliament per 1 million population 5.57 (2017) [34/36countries] < 35.24 (2017) [9/36countries] Number of seats in the House of Representatives 465 (2017) [7/36countries] > 349 (2017) [11/36countries] Number of seats in the House of Representatives per 1 million population 3.66 (2017) [35/36countries] < 35.24 (2017) [8/36countries] % of seats held by women in national parliaments 10.1% (2017) [35/36countries] < 43.6% (2017) [2/36countries] Women in ministerial positions (% of all ministers) 15.8% (2017) [30/35countries] < 52.2% (2017) [2/35countries] % of those who trust politicians 9.3% (2014) [25/26countries] < 47.4% (2014) [2/26countries] % of those who think that most politicians are in politics only for what they can get out of it personally 62.0% (2010) [13/25countries] > 32.4% (2010) [24/25countries] % of those who think that many politicians are involved in corruption 36.2% (2016) [14/25countries] > 14.8% (2016) [21/25countries] % of those who think that most politicians are in politics only for their own interest 52.9% (2014) [11/26countries] > 24.2% (2014) [25/26countries] Political party and organization Japan Sweden % of those who think that political parties encourage people to become active in politics 18.4% (2014) [24/26countries] < 30.7% (2014) [11/26countries] % of those who think that political parties do not give voters real policy choices 53.4% (2014) [7/26countries] > 33.2% (2014) [24/26countries] % of those who belong to a political party 5.4% (2014) [17/26countries] < 8.8% (2014) [8/26countries] % of those who think that people who vote for the party/the parties in government have the most influence on the actions of the government 18.3% (2016) [4/25countries] < 29.5% (2016) [2/25countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to be active in social or political associations 3.82 (2014) [18/26countries] > 3.74 (2014) [21/26countries] Parliament Japan Sweden % of those who have confidence in parliament 26.7% (2008) [28/30countries] < 63.9% (2008) [6/30countries] % of those who think that MPs try to keep the promises they have made during the election 10.2% (2016) [22/25countries] < 26.4% (2016) [8/25countries] % of those who think that the parliament considers your action if you take action against an unjust or harmful law 6.2% (2014) [25/26countries] < 24.5% (2014) [3/26countries] Political awareness Japan Sweden % of those interested in politics (5 choices) 68.0% (2016) [15/24countries] < 77.0% (2016) [5/24countries] % of those interested in politics (4 choices) 63.3% (2014) [4/26countries] > 57.6% (2014) [9/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is left 4.1% (2014) [26/26countries] < 23.6% (2014) [1/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is center 63.2% (2014) [2/26countries] > 31.1% (2014) [26/26countries] % of those who think that their political position is right 14.5% (2014) [19/26countries] < 19.8% (2014) [11/26countries] Average of political position 5.51 (2014) [5/26countries] > 4.80 (2014) [24/26countries] % of those who often or sometimes discuss political matters with friends, relatives or fellow workers 44.8% (2014) [17/26countries] < 56.0% (2014) [10/26countries] % of those who use the media to obtain political news or information every day 62.0% (2014) [22/26countries] < 70.0% (2014) [15/26countries] % of those who never use the media to obtain political news or information 4.5% (2014) [11/26countries] > 3.3% (2014) [17/26countries] % of those who have expressed political views on the internet 1.9% (2014) [26/26countries] < 16.2% (2014) [7/26countries] % of those who often or sometimes try to persuade your friends, relatives or fellow workers to share their political opinion 14.4% (2014) [26/26countries] < 40.1% (2014) [7/26countries] % of those who think that they understand political issues of the country 17.8% (2016) [25/25countries] < 56.4% (2016) [10/25countries] % of those who think that others are better informed about politics and government 24.0% (2014) [17/26countries] > 13.9% (2014) [23/26countries] % of those who think that ordinary citizens have no political voice 16.0% (2016) [25/25countries] < 49.1% (2016) [17/25countries] % of those who do not think that the government cares much what people like them think 65.9% (2014) [7/26countries] > 34.0% (2014) [25/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to keep watch on the actions of government 5.53 (2014) [11/26countries] < 5.93 (2014) [3/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to try to understand the reasoning of people with other opinions 5.28 (2014) [22/26countries] < 5.74 (2014) [10/26countries] Political action Japan Sweden % of those who would take action when the parliament considers an unjust or harmful law 20.8% (2014) [23/26countries] < 38.6% (2014) [8/26countries] % of those who have attempted to contact a politician or a civil servant to express their views 4.6% (2014) [25/26countries] < 23.5% (2014) [9/26countries] % of those who have donated money or raised funds for a social or political activity 25.5% (2014) [19/26countries] < 50.1% (2014) [6/26countries] % of those who have signed a petition 42.6% (2014) [18/26countries] < 73.8% (2014) [3/26countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to choose products for political, ethical or environmental reasons, even if they cost a bit more 4.33 (2014) [19/26countries] < 5.03 (2014) [4/26countries] % of those who have attended a political meeting 10.7% (2014) [23/26countries] < 29.8% (2014) [8/26countries] % of those who think that it should be allowed to organise public meetings to protest against the government 87.4% (2016) [13/25countries] < 97.0% (2016) [1/25countries] % of those who have attended demonstrations 7.1% (2014) [24/26countries] < 28.6% (2014) [7/26countries] % of those who think that it should be allowed to organise protest marches and demonstrations 78.4% (2016) [16/25countries] < 95.1% (2016) [1/25countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by revolution should be allowed to hold public meetings 67.5% (2016) [5/25countries] < 70.1% (2016) [3/25countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by force should be allowed to hold public meetings 4.7% (2014) [25/26countries] < 21.3% (2014) [10/26countries] % of those who think that people who want to overthrow the government by revolution should be allowed to publish books expressing their views 77.2% (2016) [4/25countries] < 82.1% (2016) [2/25countries] Government Japan Sweden % of respondents reporting high levels of trust in national government 27.0% (2010) [29/34countries] < 60.3% (2010) [5/34countries] Public officials Japan Sweden % of central government employees aged 55 years or older 16.3% (2015) [29/31countries] < 24.0% (2015) [13/31countries] % of those who trust in civil servants 17.3% (2016) [19/25countries] < 25.8% (2016) [11/25countries] % of those who think that the public service is committed to serve the people 24.6% (2014) [25/25countries] < 71.6% (2014) [8/25countries] % of those who think that few public officials are involved in corruption 35.3% (2014) [12/26countries] < 51.9% (2014) [8/26countries] % of those who think that many public officials are involved in corruption 18.9% (2016) [17/25countries] > 15.9% (2016) [21/25countries] % of those who say that they or their family have never come across a public official who hinted/ wanted a bribe in the last five years 87.1% (2016) [12/25countries] < 88.7% (2016) [8/25countries] Public finance Japan Sweden General government expenditure, % of GDP 39.4% (2015) [26/35countries] < 50.2% (2015) [8/35countries] General government revenue, % of GDP 35.9% (2015) [26/35countries] < 50.5% (2015) [7/35countries] General government fiscal balance, % of GDP -3.5% (2015) [30/36countries] < 0.3% (2015) [7/36countries] General government gross debt, % of GDP 221.8% (2015) [1/35countries] > 53.3% (2015) [25/35countries] General government financial net worth (% of GDP) -126.1% (2015) [31/33countries] < 27.6% (2015) [5/33countries] % of those who are in favour of cuts in government spending 74.1% (2016) [7/25countries] > 41.4% (2016) [24/25countries] General government expenditures for Defence, as % of total budget 2.26% (2016) [22/32countries] < 2.39% (2016) [16/32countries] General government expenditures for Public order and safety, as % of total budget 3.17% (2016) [24/32countries] > 2.62% (2016) [28/32countries] General government expenditures for economic affairs, as % of total budget 9.36% (2016) [18/32countries] > 8.39% (2016) [24/32countries] General government expenditures for Environment protection, as % of total budget 3.01% (2016) [3/32countries] > 0.62% (2016) [30/32countries] General government expenditures for Housing and community amenities, as % of total budget 1.74% (2016) [6/32countries] > 1.43% (2016) [13/32countries] General government expenditures for Health, as % of total budget 19.36% (2016) [3/32countries] > 13.91% (2016) [20/32countries] General government expenditures for Recreation, culture and religion, as % of total budget 0.96% (2016) [31/32countries] < 2.21% (2016) [22/32countries] General government expenditures for Education, as % of total budget 8.58% (2016) [31/32countries] < 13.41% (2016) [11/32countries] General government expenditures for Social protection, as % of total budget 41.37% (2016) [10/32countries] < 41.68% (2016) [8/32countries] General government expenditures for Defence, as % of GDP 0.88% (2016) [24/32countries] < 1.19% (2016) [15/32countries] General government expenditures for Public order and safety, as % of GDP 1.24% (2016) [27/32countries] < 1.30% (2016) [25/32countries] General government expenditures for economic affairs, as % of GDP 3.66% (2016) [22/32countries] < 4.17% (2016) [14/32countries] General government expenditures for Environment protection, as % of GDP 1.18% (2016) [3/32countries] > 0.31% (2016) [29/32countries] General government expenditures for Housing and community amenities, as % of GDP 0.68% (2016) [9/32countries] < 0.71% (2016) [7/32countries] General government expenditures for Health, as % of GDP 7.56% (2016) [7/32countries] > 6.91% (2016) [17/32countries] General government expenditures for Recreation, culture and religion, as % of GDP 0.38% (2016) [30/32countries] < 1.10% (2016) [17/32countries] General government expenditures for Education, as % of GDP 3.35% (2016) [31/32countries] < 6.66% (2016) [4/32countries] General government expenditures for Social protection, as % of GDP 16.15% (2016) [16/32countries] < 20.69% (2016) [6/32countries] Tax Japan Sweden Value Added Tax/ General Sales Tax - Rates 8.0% (2015) [31/33countries] < 25.0% (2015) [2/33countries] Corporate income tax rate (central + sub-central) 29.74% (2018) [6/36countries] > 22.00% (2018) [21/36countries] Ease of paying taxes (world rank) 70 (2016) [30/36countries] < 28 (2016) [17/36countries] Profit tax (% of proft) 27.9% (2010) [2/36countries] > 16.4% (2010) [18/36countries] Labor tax and contributions (% of proft) 14.7% (2010) [27/36countries] < 36.6% (2010) [7/36countries] Total tax rate (% of proft) 48.6% (2010) [12/36countries] < 54.6% (2010) [6/36countries] % of those who think that taxes are too high for those with high incomes 17.9% (2016) [13/25countries] > 17.1% (2016) [15/25countries] % of those who think that taxes are too low for those with high incomes 57.5% (2016) [7/25countries] > 50.2% (2016) [16/25countries] % of those who think that people with high incomes should pay a larger % of their income in taxes than those with low incomes 88.0% (2009) [2/28countries] > 72.3% (2009) [17/28countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, never to try to evade taxes 6.42 (2014) [5/26countries] > 6.13 (2014) [13/26countries] % of those who think that the tax authorities always/ often make sure people pay their taxes 67.5% (2016) [19/25countries] < 82.0% (2016) [6/25countries] % of those who think that the tax authorities always/ often treat everyone in accordance with the law, regardless of their contacts or position in society 54.7% (2016) [9/25countries] < 64.5% (2016) [5/25countries] Social security Japan Sweden Public social expenditure (% of GDP) 23.1% (2013) [14/34countries] < 27.4% (2013) [7/34countries] % of those who are proud of their country in its social security system 56.2% (2013) [12/26countries] < 72.2% (2013) [8/26countries] % of those who would like to see more government spending in old age pensions 46.1% (2016) [22/25countries] < 71.3% (2016) [11/25countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing a decent standard of living for the old 76.3% (2016) [25/25countries] < 97.3% (2016) [7/25countries] % of those who think that the government is successful in the provision of decent life for the old 25.3% (2016) [10/15countries] < 25.7% (2016) [9/15countries] % of those who think that the government should primarily provide care for older people 48.3% (2016) [25/25countries] < 87.7% (2016) [2/25countries] % of those who think that private companies should primarily provide care for older people 23.8% (2016) [1/25countries] > 9.6% (2016) [5/25countries] % of those who think that family, relatives or friends should primarily provide care for older people 21.2% (2016) [5/25countries] > 0.5% (2016) [25/25countries] % of those who think "government agencies should primarily provide help in everyday life for elderly people 20.5% (2012) [24/27countries] < 84.1% (2012) [1/27countries] % of those who think that the government/public funds should primarily cover the costs of the help to elderly people 53.1% (2012) [20/27countries] < 86.8% (2012) [2/27countries] Maternal leave benefits (% of wages) 67 (2009) [30/34countries] < 80 (2009) [22/34countries] % of those who think that 1-6 months of paid parental leave is necessary 39.3% (2012) [9/27countries] > 5.3% (2012) [23/27countries] % of those who think that 7-12 months of paid parental leave is necessary 31.8% (2012) [14/27countries] < 35.9% (2012) [11/27countries] % of those who think that 13-36 months of paid parental leave is necessary 16.8% (2012) [13/27countries] < 51.9% (2012) [6/27countries] % of those who think that the government should pay for parental leave 26.1% (2012) [21/27countries] < 70.6% (2012) [1/27countries] % of those who think that the employer should pay for parental leave 12.4% (2012) [6/27countries] > 1.6% (2012) [26/27countries] % of those who think that both the government and the employer should pay for parental leave 59.5% (2012) [7/27countries] > 27.7% (2012) [26/27countries] % of those who think the employers should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 1.1% (2012) [22/27countries] > 0.6% (2012) [26/27countries] % of those who think the family itself should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 60.3% (2012) [9/27countries] > 25.4% (2012) [27/27countries] % of those who think the government/public funds should primarily cover the costs of childcare for children under school age 38.6% (2012) [17/27countries] < 74.0% (2012) [1/27countries] % of those who think government agencies should primarily provide childcare for children under school age 11.1% (2012) [25/27countries] < 82.5% (2012) [1/27countries] % of those who think that poverty is the most important issue for their country 4.8% (2010) [19/25countries] > 3.1% (2010) [22/25countries] % of those who think that the government should spend less on benefits for the poor 7.4% (2009) [23/28countries] < 10.0% (2009) [16/28countries] % of those who agree that the government is responsible for providing decent housing for those who can't afford it 37.6% (2016) [25/25countries] < 75.6% (2016) [17/25countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, to help people in the country who are worse off than themselves 5.03 (2014) [24/26countries] < 5.34 (2014) [17/26countries] Law and Justice Japan Sweden % of those who think that it is worse to convict an innocent person than to let a guilty person go free 73.9% (2016) [13/25countries] < 76.0% (2016) [11/25countries] % of those who follow conscience rather than law on occasions (2 choices) 65.6% (2016) [4/25countries] > 63.4% (2016) [5/25countries] Extent to which people think that it is important, in order to be a good citizen, always to obey laws and regulations 6.36 (2014) [6/26countries] > 6.06 (2014) [18/26countries] % of respondents reporting high levels of trust in judicial system and courts 62.6% (2010) [9/34countries] < 67.4% (2010) [5/34countries] % of those who have confidence in the justice system (5 choices) 73.0% (2008) [13/30countries] < 78.9% (2008) [7/30countries]