Quality of life comparison
If you lived in South Africa instead of Laos, you would:
Health
be 63.7 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS
In Laos, 0.3% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In South Africa, that number is 19.1% of people as of 2020.
live 2.8 years less
In Laos, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2022. In South Africa, that number is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022.
be 5.3 times more likely to be obese
In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In South Africa, that number is 28.3% of people as of 2016.
Economy
make 70.9% more money
Laos has a GDP per capita of $7,900 as of 2022, while in South Africa, the GDP per capita is $13,500 as of 2022.
be 7.5 times more likely to be unemployed
In Laos, 3.8% of adults are unemployed as of 2022. In South Africa, that number is 28.8% as of 2022.
pay a 87.5% higher top tax rate
Laos has a top tax rate of 24.0% as of 2016. In South Africa, the top tax rate is 45.0% as of 2017.
Life
be 31.5% 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 South Africa, on the other hand, 25.9 children do as of 2022.
have 10.6% fewer children
In Laos, there are approximately 19.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In South Africa, there are 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
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 South Africa, about 72.0% do as of 2021.
be 10.7% 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 2021. In South Africa, that number is 89% of people on average (87% in urban areas, and 92% in rural areas) as of 2021.
Expenditures
spend 2.9 times more on education
Laos spends 2.3% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. South Africa spends 6.6% of total GDP on education as of 2021.
spend 3.2 times more on healthcare
Laos spends 2.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In South Africa, that number is 8.6% of GDP as of 2020.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Ministry of Finance, South African Revenue Service.
South Africa: At a glance
How big is South Africa compared to Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.