Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Aruba instead of South Africa, you would:

Health

live 12.7 years longer

In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022. In Aruba, that number is 78 years (75 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 2.9 times more money

South Africa has a GDP per capita of $14,300 as of 2023, while in Aruba, the GDP per capita is $41,300 as of 2022.

be 72.5% less likely to be unemployed

In South Africa, 28.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Aruba, that number is 7.7% as of 2016.

pay a 31.1% higher top tax rate

South Africa has a top tax rate of 45.0% as of 2017. In Aruba, the top tax rate is 59.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 53.3% 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 Aruba, on the other hand, 12.1 children do as of 2022.

have 34.5% fewer children

In South Africa, there are approximately 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Aruba, there are 11.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 15.5% more 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 Aruba, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 92% in rural areas) as of 2022.

be 34.7% more likely to have internet access

In South Africa, approximately 72.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Aruba, about 97.0% do as of 2021.

Geography

see 97.6% less coastline

South Africa has a total of 2,798 km of coastline. In Aruba, that number is 68 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, South African Revenue Service, Ministerio di Finansas, Comunicacion, Utilidad y Energia.

Aruba: At a glance

Aruba is a sovereign country in Central America/Caribbean, with a total land area of approximately 180 sq km. Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. The island's economy has been dominated by three main industries. A 19th century gold rush was followed by prosperity brought on by the opening in 1924 of an oil refinery. The last decades of the 20th century saw a boom in the tourism industry. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
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How big is Aruba compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.

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