Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in American Samoa instead of South Africa, you would:

Health

live 10.0 years longer

In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022. In American Samoa, that number is 75 years (73 years for men, 78 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 21.7% less money

South Africa has a GDP per capita of $14,300 as of 2023, while in American Samoa, the GDP per capita is $11,200 as of 2016.

Life

be 61.1% less likely to die during infancy

In South Africa, approximately 25.9 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In American Samoa, on the other hand, 10.1 children do as of 2022.

have 11.3% fewer children

In South Africa, there are approximately 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In American Samoa, there are 15.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 31.8% less likely to have access to electricity

In South Africa, approximately 86% of people have electricity access (87% in urban areas, and 92% in rural areas) as of 2022. In American Samoa, that number is 59% of people on average (60% in urban areas, and 45% in rural areas) as of 2020.

be 44.0% less likely to have internet access

In South Africa, approximately 72.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In American Samoa, about 40.3% do as of 2021.

Geography

see 95.9% less coastline

South Africa has a total of 2,798 km of coastline. In American Samoa, that number is 116 km.

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

American Samoa: At a glance

American Samoa (sometimes abbreviated AS) is a sovereign country in Australia-Oceania, with a total land area of approximately 224 sq km. Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was not reached by European explorers until the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
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How big is American Samoa compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.

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