Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Canada instead of Afghanistan, you would:

Health

live 30.1 years longer

In Afghanistan, the average life expectancy is 54 years (52 years for men, 55 years for women) as of 2022. In Canada, that number is 84 years (82 years for men, 86 years for women) as of 2022.

be 5.3 times more likely to be obese

In Afghanistan, 5.5% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Canada, that number is 29.4% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 27.9 times more money

Afghanistan has a GDP per capita of $2,000 as of 2022, while in Canada, the GDP per capita is $55,800 as of 2023.

be 62.7% less likely to be unemployed

In Afghanistan, 14.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Canada, that number is 5.4% as of 2023.

be 82.8% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Afghanistan, 54.5% live below the poverty line as of 2017. In Canada, however, that number is 9.4% as of 2008.

pay a 65.0% higher top tax rate

Afghanistan has a top tax rate of 20.0% as of 2016. In Canada, the top tax rate is 33.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 98.2% less likely to die during childbirth

In Afghanistan, approximately 620.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Canada, 11.0 women do as of 2020.

be 95.8% less likely to die during infancy

In Afghanistan, approximately 104.9 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Canada, on the other hand, 4.4 children do as of 2022.

have 70.3% fewer children

In Afghanistan, there are approximately 34.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Canada, there are 10.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 17.2% more likely to have access to electricity

In Afghanistan, approximately 85% of the population has electricity access as of 2022. In Canada, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

be 5.2 times more likely to have internet access

In Afghanistan, approximately 18.0% of the population has internet access as of 2020. In Canada, about 93.0% do as of 2021.

be 29.7% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Afghanistan, approximately 76% of people have improved drinking water access (100% in urban areas, and 68% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Canada, that number is 99% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 99% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 16.8% less on healthcare

Afghanistan spends 15.5% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Canada, that number is 12.9% of GDP as of 2020.

spend 79.3% more on education

Afghanistan spends 2.9% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Canada spends 5.2% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Afghanistan Revenue Department, Canada Revenue Agency.

Canada: At a glance

Canada is a sovereign country in North America, with a total land area of approximately 9,093,507 sq km. A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.
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How big is Canada compared to Afghanistan? See an in-depth size comparison.

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