Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 5.4 years longer

In Benin, the average life expectancy is 62 years (60 years for men, 64 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 100.0% more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Benin, 0.9% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Gambia, that number is 1.8% of people as of 2020.

Economy

make 23.7% less money

Benin has a GDP per capita of $3,800 as of 2023, while in Gambia, the GDP per capita is $2,900 as of 2023.

be 4.5 times more likely to be unemployed

In Benin, 1.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Gambia, that number is 6.5% as of 2023.

be 38.7% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Benin, 38.5% live below the poverty line as of 2019. In Gambia, however, that number is 53.4% as of 2020.

Life

be 26.9% more likely to be literate

In Benin, the literacy rate is 45.8% as of 2021. In Gambia, it is 58.1% as of 2021.

be 33.3% less likely to die during infancy

In Benin, approximately 55.8 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 32.3% fewer children

In Benin, there are approximately 40.3 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 15.8% more likely to have access to electricity

In Benin, approximately 56% of people have electricity access (67% in urban areas, and 18% 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.

be 19.8% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Benin, approximately 75% of people have improved drinking water access (79% in urban areas, and 71% 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.

Geography

see 33.9% less coastline

Benin has a total of 121 km of coastline. In Gambia, that number is 80 km.

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 Benin? See an in-depth size comparison.

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