Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Gabon instead of Ethiopia, you would:

Health

live 1.5 years longer

In Ethiopia, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 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 3.3 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Ethiopia, 0.9% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 3.0% of people as of 2020.

be 3.3 times more likely to be obese

In Ethiopia, 4.5% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Gabon, that number is 15.0% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 7.1 times more money

Ethiopia has a GDP per capita of $2,800 as of 2023, while in Gabon, the GDP per capita is $19,800 as of 2023.

be 5.8 times more likely to be unemployed

In Ethiopia, 3.5% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Gabon, that number is 20.4% as of 2023.

be 42.1% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Ethiopia, 23.5% live below the poverty line as of 2015. In Gabon, however, that number is 33.4% as of 2017.

Life

be 65.1% more likely to be literate

In Ethiopia, the literacy rate is 51.8% as of 2017. In Gabon, it is 85.5% as of 2021.

be 14.8% less likely to die during infancy

In Ethiopia, approximately 33.5 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 13.2% fewer children

In Ethiopia, there are approximately 29.6 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 70.0% more likely to have access to electricity

In Ethiopia, approximately 55% of people have electricity access (96% in urban areas, and 43% 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 4.2 times more likely to have internet access

In Ethiopia, approximately 17.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Gabon, about 72.0% do as of 2021.

be 21.9% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Ethiopia, approximately 76% of people have improved drinking water access (98% in urban areas, and 70% 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 28.9% less on education

Ethiopia spends 4.5% of its total GDP on education as of 2019. Gabon spends 3.2% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

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 Ethiopia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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