Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Cook Islands instead of Laos, you would:

Health

live 9.0 years longer

In Laos, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2022. In Cook Islands, that number is 77 years (74 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2022.

be 10.5 times more likely to be obese

In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Cook Islands, that number is 55.9% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 85.7% more money

Laos has a GDP per capita of $8,400 as of 2023, while in Cook Islands, the GDP per capita is $15,600 as of 2022.

be 11.1 times more likely to be unemployed

In Laos, 1.2% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Cook Islands, that number is 13.1% as of 2005.

Life

be 57.8% 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 Cook Islands, on the other hand, 15.9 children do as of 2022.

have 38.9% fewer children

In Laos, there are approximately 19.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Cook Islands, there are 12.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 12.6% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Laos, approximately 89% of people have improved drinking water access as of 2020. In Cook Islands, 100% of people do as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 100.0% more on education

Laos spends 2.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Cook Islands spends 4.6% of total GDP on education as of 2021.

spend 18.5% more on healthcare

Laos spends 2.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Cook Islands, that number is 3.2% of GDP as of 2020.

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

Cook Islands: At a glance

Cook Islands is a sovereign country in Australia-Oceania, with a total land area of approximately 236 sq km. Named after Captain COOK, who sighted them in 1770, the islands became a British protectorate in 1888. By 1900, administrative control was transferred to New Zealand; in 1965, residents chose self-government in free association with New Zealand. The emigration of skilled workers to New Zealand and government deficits are continuing problems.
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How big is Cook Islands compared to Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.

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