Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 15.6 years longer

In Laos, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2022. In Canada, that number is 84 years (82 years for men, 86 years for women) as of 2022.

be 5.5 times more likely to be obese

In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Canada, that number is 29.4% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 6.6 times more money

Laos has a GDP per capita of $8,400 as of 2023, while in Canada, the GDP per capita is $55,800 as of 2023.

be 48.6% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Laos, 18.3% live below the poverty line as of 2018. In Canada, however, that number is 9.4% as of 2008.

be 4.6 times more likely to be unemployed

In Laos, 1.2% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Canada, that number is 5.4% as of 2023.

pay a 37.5% higher top tax rate

Laos has a top tax rate of 24.0% as of 2016. In Canada, the top tax rate is 33.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 91.3% less likely to die during childbirth

In Laos, approximately 126.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Canada, 11.0 women do as of 2020.

be 88.4% 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 Canada, on the other hand, 4.4 children do as of 2022.

have 48.6% fewer children

In Laos, there are approximately 19.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Canada, there are 10.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 50.0% more likely to have internet access

In Laos, approximately 62.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Canada, about 93.0% do as of 2021.

be 11.7% 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 Canada, that number is 99% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 99% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 2.3 times more on education

Laos spends 2.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Canada spends 5.2% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 4.8 times more on healthcare

Laos spends 2.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Canada, that number is 12.9% of GDP as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Ministry of Finance, Canada Revenue Agency.

Canada: At a glance

Canada is a sovereign country in North America, with a total land area of approximately 9,093,507 sq km. A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.
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How big is Canada compared to Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.

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