Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Botswana instead of North Korea, you would:

Health

live 6.1 years less

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 72 years (68 years for men, 76 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 2.8 times more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 6.8% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Botswana, that number is 18.9% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 10.3 times more money

North Korea has a GDP per capita of $1,700 as of 2015, while in Botswana, the GDP per capita is $17,500 as of 2023.

be 7.8 times more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Botswana, that number is 23.4% as of 2023.

Life

have 48.5% more children

In North Korea, there are approximately 13.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Botswana, there are 19.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 73.8% more likely to die during childbirth

In North Korea, approximately 107.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Botswana, 186.0 women do as of 2020.

be 11.5% less likely to be literate

In North Korea, the literacy rate is 100.0% as of 2015. In Botswana, it is 88.5% as of 2015.

be 13.4% more likely to die during infancy

In North Korea, approximately 22.2 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.

Basic Needs

be 38.8% more likely to have access to electricity

In North Korea, approximately 55% of people have electricity access (36% in urban areas, and 11% 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.

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 North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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