Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

be 96.9% less likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In South Africa, 19.1% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Brazil, that number is 0.6% of people as of 2020.

live 10.6 years longer

In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022. In Brazil, that number is 76 years (72 years for men, 80 years for women) as of 2022.

be 21.9% less likely to be obese

In South Africa, 28.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Brazil, that number is 22.1% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 30.1% more money

South Africa has a GDP per capita of $14,300 as of 2023, while in Brazil, the GDP per capita is $18,600 as of 2023.

be 71.6% less likely to be unemployed

In South Africa, 28.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Brazil, that number is 8.0% as of 2023.

be 74.7% less likely to live below the poverty line

In South Africa, 16.6% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Brazil, however, that number is 4.2% as of 2016.

pay a 38.9% lower top tax rate

South Africa has a top tax rate of 45.0% as of 2017. In Brazil, the top tax rate is 27.5% as of 2016.

Life

be 43.3% less likely to die during childbirth

In South Africa, approximately 127.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Brazil, 72.0 women do as of 2020.

be 48.6% 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 Brazil, on the other hand, 13.3 children do as of 2022.

have 25.4% fewer children

In South Africa, there are approximately 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Brazil, there are 13.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 15.6% 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 Brazil, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 97% in rural areas) as of 2022.

be 12.5% more likely to have internet access

In South Africa, approximately 72.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Brazil, about 81.0% do as of 2021.

Expenditures

spend 19.8% more on healthcare

South Africa spends 8.6% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Brazil, that number is 10.3% of GDP as of 2020.

Geography

see 2.7 times more coastline

South Africa has a total of 2,798 km of coastline. In Brazil, that number is 7,491 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: Secretaria da Receita Federal do Brasil, The World Factbook, South African Revenue Service.

Brazil: At a glance

Brazil is a sovereign country in South America, with a total land area of approximately 8,358,140 sq km. Following more than three centuries under Portuguese rule, Brazil gained its independence in 1822, maintaining a monarchical system of government until the abolition of slavery in 1888 and the subsequent proclamation of a republic by the military in 1889. Brazilian coffee exporters politically dominated the country until populist leader Getulio VARGAS rose to power in 1930. By far the largest and most populous country in South America, Brazil underwent more than a half century of populist and military government until 1985, when the military regime peacefully ceded power to civilian rulers. Brazil continues to pursue industrial and agricultural growth and development of its interior. Exploiting vast natural resources and a large labor pool, it is today South America's leading economic power and a regional leader, one of the first in the area to begin an economic recovery. High income inequality and crime remain pressing problems, as well as recent years' slow down in economic growth.
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How big is Brazil compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.

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