Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 13.9 years longer

In Afghanistan, the average life expectancy is 54 years (52 years for men, 55 years for women) as of 2022. In Gambia, that number is 68 years (66 years for men, 69 years for women) as of 2022.

be 18.0 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Afghanistan, 0.1% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Gambia, that number is 1.8% of people as of 2020.

be 87.3% more likely to be obese

In Afghanistan, 5.5% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Gambia, that number is 10.3% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 45.0% more money

Afghanistan has a GDP per capita of $2,000 as of 2022, while in Gambia, the GDP per capita is $2,900 as of 2023.

be 55.0% less likely to be unemployed

In Afghanistan, 14.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Gambia, that number is 6.5% as of 2023.

Life

be 26.1% less likely to die during childbirth

In Afghanistan, approximately 620.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Gambia, 458.0 women do as of 2020.

be 55.8% more likely to be literate

In Afghanistan, the literacy rate is 37.3% as of 2021. In Gambia, it is 58.1% as of 2021.

be 64.5% 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 Gambia, on the other hand, 37.2 children do as of 2022.

have 20.2% fewer children

In Afghanistan, there are approximately 34.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Gambia, there are 27.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 83.3% more likely to have internet access

In Afghanistan, approximately 18.0% of the population has internet access as of 2020. In Gambia, about 33.0% do as of 2021.

be 17.0% 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 Gambia, that number is 90% of people on average (92% in urban areas, and 86% in rural areas) as of 2020.

be 23.3% less likely to have access to electricity

In Afghanistan, approximately 85% of people have electricity access (100% in urban areas, and 97% in rural areas) as of 2022. In Gambia, that number is 65% of people on average (82% in urban areas, and 31% in rural areas) as of 2022.

Expenditures

spend 83.2% less on healthcare

Afghanistan spends 15.5% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Gambia, that number is 2.6% of GDP as of 2020.

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

Gambia: At a glance

Gambia is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 10,120 sq km. The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections including most recently in late 2011.
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How big is Gambia compared to Afghanistan? See an in-depth size comparison.

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