Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 3.9 years longer

In Rwanda, the average life expectancy is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 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 20.0% more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Rwanda, 2.5% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 3.0% of people as of 2020.

be 2.6 times more likely to be obese

In Rwanda, 5.8% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Gabon, that number is 15.0% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 6.6 times more money

Rwanda has a GDP per capita of $3,000 as of 2023, while in Gabon, the GDP per capita is $19,800 as of 2023.

be 12.6% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Rwanda, 38.2% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Gabon, however, that number is 33.4% as of 2017.

be 36.4% more likely to be unemployed

In Rwanda, 14.9% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Gabon, that number is 20.4% as of 2023.

pay a 16.7% higher top tax rate

Rwanda has a top tax rate of 30.0% as of 2016. In Gabon, the top tax rate is 35.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 12.6% more likely to be literate

In Rwanda, the literacy rate is 75.9% as of 2021. In Gabon, it is 85.5% as of 2021.

Basic Needs

be 84.8% more likely to have access to electricity

In Rwanda, approximately 51% of people have electricity access (98% in urban areas, and 38% 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.

be 2.4 times more likely to have internet access

In Rwanda, approximately 30.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Gabon, about 72.0% do as of 2021.

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

In Rwanda, approximately 83% of people have improved drinking water access (92% in urban areas, and 81% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 93% of people on average (97% in urban areas, and 55% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 15.8% less on education

Rwanda spends 3.8% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Gabon spends 3.2% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 53.4% less on healthcare

Rwanda spends 7.3% 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, General Direction of Taxes, Rwanda Revenue Authority.

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 Rwanda? See an in-depth size comparison.

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