Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

be 57.1% less likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Kenya, 4.2% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Gambia, that number is 1.8% of people as of 2020.

live 2.1 years less

In Kenya, the average life expectancy is 70 years (68 years for men, 71 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 45.1% more likely to be obese

In Kenya, 7.1% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Gambia, that number is 10.3% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 49.1% less money

Kenya has a GDP per capita of $5,700 as of 2023, while in Gambia, the GDP per capita is $2,900 as of 2023.

be 14.1% more likely to be unemployed

In Kenya, 5.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Gambia, that number is 6.5% as of 2023.

be 47.9% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Kenya, 36.1% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Gambia, however, that number is 53.4% as of 2020.

Life

be 29.7% less likely to be literate

In Kenya, the literacy rate is 82.6% as of 2021. In Gambia, it is 58.1% as of 2021.

be 33.5% more likely to die during infancy

In Kenya, approximately 27.9 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.

Basic Needs

be 13.8% more likely to have internet access

In Kenya, approximately 29.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Gambia, about 33.0% do as of 2021.

be 25.7% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Kenya, approximately 71% of people have improved drinking water access (91% in urban areas, and 63% 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 13.9% less likely to have access to electricity

In Kenya, approximately 76% of people have electricity access (98% in urban areas, and 68% 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 41.7% less on education

Kenya spends 4.8% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Gambia spends 2.8% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 39.5% less on healthcare

Kenya spends 4.3% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Gambia, that number is 2.6% of GDP as of 2020.

Geography

see 85.1% less coastline

Kenya has a total of 536 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 Kenya? See an in-depth size comparison.

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