If you lived in Gabon instead of Democratic Republic of the Congo, you would:

Health

live 7.9 years longer

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, the average life expectancy is 62 years (60 years for men, 64 years for women) as of 2022. In Gabon, that number is 70 years (68 years for men, 71 years for women) as of 2022.

be 4.3 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, 0.7% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 3.0% of people as of 2020.

be 2.2 times more likely to be obese

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, 6.7% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Gabon, that number is 15.0% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 13.2 times more money

Democratic Republic of the Congo has a GDP per capita of $1,500 as of 2023, while in Gabon, the GDP per capita is $19,800 as of 2023.

be 47.0% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, 63.0% live below the poverty line as of 2014. In Gabon, however, that number is 33.4% as of 2017.

be 4.5 times more likely to be unemployed

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, 4.5% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Gabon, that number is 20.4% as of 2023.

Life

be 58.5% less likely to die during childbirth

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 547.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Gabon, 227.0 women do as of 2020.

be 53.1% less likely to die during infancy

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 60.9 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Gabon, on the other hand, 28.6 children do as of 2022.

have 34.4% fewer children

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, there are approximately 39.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Gabon, there are 25.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 4.3 times more likely to have access to electricity

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 22% of people have electricity access (44% in urban areas, and 1% in rural areas) as of 2022. In Gabon, that number is 94% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 27% in rural areas) as of 2022.

be 3.1 times more likely to have internet access

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 23.2% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Gabon, about 72.0% do as of 2021.

be 56.7% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Democratic Republic of the Congo, approximately 59% of people have improved drinking water access (89% in urban areas, and 35% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 93% of people on average (97% in urban areas, and 55% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 17.1% less on healthcare

Democratic Republic of the Congo spends 4.1% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 3.4% of GDP as of 2020.

spend 18.5% more on education

Democratic Republic of the Congo spends 2.7% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Gabon spends 3.2% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

Geography

see 23.9 times more coastline

Democratic Republic of the Congo has a total of 37 km of coastline. In Gabon, that number is 885 km.


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

Gabon: At a glance

Gabon is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 257,667 sq km. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - dominated the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009) following independence from France in 1960. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in December 2002 and the presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, new elections brought Ali BONGO Ondimba, son of the former president, to power. Despite constrained political conditions, Gabon's small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make it one of the more stable African countries.
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How big is Gabon compared to Democratic Republic of the Congo? See an in-depth size comparison.

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