Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 2.1 years less

In North Korea, the average life expectancy is 72 years (68 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2022. In Gabon, that number is 70 years (68 years for men, 71 years for women) as of 2022.

be 2.2 times more likely to be obese

In North Korea, 6.8% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Gabon, that number is 15.0% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 11.6 times more money

North Korea has a GDP per capita of $1,700 as of 2015, while in Gabon, the GDP per capita is $19,800 as of 2023.

be 6.8 times more likely to be unemployed

In North Korea, 3.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Gabon, that number is 20.4% as of 2023.

Life

have 94.7% more children

In North Korea, there are approximately 13.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Gabon, there are 25.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 2.1 times more likely to die during childbirth

In North Korea, approximately 107.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Gabon, 227.0 women do as of 2020.

be 14.5% less likely to be literate

In North Korea, the literacy rate is 100.0% as of 2015. In Gabon, it is 85.5% as of 2021.

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

Basic Needs

be 70.9% 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 Gabon, that number is 94% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 27% in rural areas) as of 2022.

Geography

see 64.5% less coastline

North Korea has a total of 2,495 km of coastline. In Gabon, that number is 885 km.

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

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 North Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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