Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Cook Islands instead of Afghanistan, you would:

Health

live 23.5 years longer

In Afghanistan, the average life expectancy is 54 years (52 years for men, 55 years for women) as of 2022. In Cook Islands, that number is 77 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2022.

be 10.2 times more likely to be obese

In Afghanistan, 5.5% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Cook Islands, that number is 55.9% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 7.8 times more money

Afghanistan has a GDP per capita of $2,000 as of 2022, while in Cook Islands, the GDP per capita is $15,600 as of 2022.

Life

be 84.8% 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 Cook Islands, on the other hand, 15.9 children do as of 2022.

have 64.6% fewer children

In Afghanistan, there are approximately 34.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Cook Islands, there are 12.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 3.6 times more likely to have internet access

In Afghanistan, approximately 18.0% of the population has internet access as of 2020. In Cook Islands, about 64.8% do as of 2021.

be 30.7% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Afghanistan, approximately 76% of people have improved drinking water access as of 2020. In Cook Islands, 100% of people do as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 79.4% less on healthcare

Afghanistan spends 15.5% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Cook Islands, that number is 3.2% of GDP as of 2020.

spend 58.6% more on education

Afghanistan spends 2.9% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Cook Islands spends 4.6% of total GDP on education as of 2021.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook.

Cook Islands: At a glance

Cook Islands is a sovereign country in Australia-Oceania, with a total land area of approximately 236 sq km. Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
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How big is Cook Islands compared to Afghanistan? See an in-depth size comparison.

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