Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Botswana instead of Laos, you would:

Health

be 66.3 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Laos, 0.3% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 19.9% of people as of 2020.

live 2.5 years less

In Laos, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2022. In Botswana, that number is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2022.

be 3.6 times more likely to be obese

In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Botswana, that number is 18.9% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 2.1 times more money

Laos has a GDP per capita of $8,400 as of 2023, while in Botswana, the GDP per capita is $17,500 as of 2023.

be 12.0% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Laos, 18.3% live below the poverty line as of 2018. In Botswana, however, that number is 16.1% as of 2015.

be 19.8 times more likely to be unemployed

In Laos, 1.2% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Botswana, that number is 23.4% as of 2023.

Life

be 33.4% less likely to die during infancy

In Laos, approximately 37.8 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Botswana, on the other hand, 25.2 children do as of 2022.

be 47.6% more likely to die during childbirth

In Laos, approximately 126.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Botswana, 186.0 women do as of 2020.

Basic Needs

be 19.4% more likely to have internet access

In Laos, approximately 62.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Botswana, about 74.0% do as of 2021.

be 11.9% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Laos, approximately 89% of people have improved drinking water access (97% in urban areas, and 84% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 99% of people on average (98% in urban areas, and 97% in rural areas) as of 2020.

be 24.1% less likely to have access to electricity

In Laos, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (98% in urban areas, and 93% in rural areas) as of 2022. In Botswana, that number is 76% of people on average (93% in urban areas, and 25% in rural areas) as of 2022.

Expenditures

spend 3.8 times more on education

Laos spends 2.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Botswana spends 8.7% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 2.3 times more on healthcare

Laos spends 2.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 6.2% of GDP as of 2020.

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

Botswana: At a glance

Botswana is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 566,730 sq km. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
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How big is Botswana compared to Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.

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