In my current game I was 12 techs and 3 policies behind Japan as Sweden, now I'm 4 techs and 1 policy behind. Was last 11-12 position in techs, now I'm second, but he has 38 cities and I have 24, we are in Industrial, we will see how it's going to come out. I have more problems with unhappiness then with Japan directly. We are on different sides of planet, he conquered/vassalised his part, I also have 3 vassals. My happy/unhappy 432/342 right now and 60 unhappy from public opinion and if I take more cities I need to puppet them and stop growth in most cities.