Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 1.5 years longer

In Laos, 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 10.0 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Laos, 0.3% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 3.0% of people as of 2020.

be 2.8 times more likely to be obese

In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Gabon, that number is 15.0% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 75.9% more money

Laos has a GDP per capita of $7,900 as of 2022, while in Gabon, the GDP per capita is $13,900 as of 2022.

be 5.4 times more likely to be unemployed

In Laos, 3.8% of adults are unemployed as of 2022. In Gabon, that number is 20.6% as of 2022.

be 82.5% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Laos, 18.3% live below the poverty line as of 2018. In Gabon, however, that number is 33.4% as of 2017.

pay a 45.8% higher top tax rate

Laos has a top tax rate of 24.0% as of 2016. In Gabon, the top tax rate is 35.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 24.4% 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 Gabon, on the other hand, 28.6 children do as of 2022.

have 29.8% more children

In Laos, there are approximately 19.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Gabon, there are 25.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 80.2% more likely to die during childbirth

In Laos, approximately 126.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Gabon, 227.0 women do as of 2020.

Basic Needs

be 16.1% more likely to have internet access

In Laos, approximately 62.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Gabon, about 72.0% do as of 2021.

Expenditures

spend 39.1% more on education

Laos spends 2.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Gabon spends 3.2% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 25.9% more on healthcare

Laos spends 2.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 3.4% of GDP as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Ministry of Finance, General Direction of Taxes.

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 Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.

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