Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 18.5 years longer

In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022. In Canada, that number is 84 years (82 years for men, 86 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 3.9 times more money

South Africa has a GDP per capita of $14,300 as of 2023, while in Canada, the GDP per capita is $55,800 as of 2023.

be 80.8% less likely to be unemployed

In South Africa, 28.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Canada, that number is 5.4% as of 2023.

be 43.4% less likely to live below the poverty line

In South Africa, 16.6% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Canada, however, that number is 9.4% as of 2008.

pay a 26.7% lower top tax rate

South Africa has a top tax rate of 45.0% as of 2017. In Canada, the top tax rate is 33.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 91.3% less likely to die during childbirth

In South Africa, approximately 127.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Canada, 11.0 women do as of 2020.

be 83.1% 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 Canada, on the other hand, 4.4 children do as of 2022.

have 42.5% fewer children

In South Africa, there are approximately 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Canada, there are 10.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 15.6% more likely to have access to electricity

In South Africa, approximately 86% of the population has electricity access as of 2022. In Canada, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

be 29.2% more likely to have internet access

In South Africa, approximately 72.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Canada, about 93.0% do as of 2021.

Expenditures

spend 21.2% less on education

South Africa spends 6.6% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Canada spends 5.2% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 50.0% more on healthcare

South Africa spends 8.6% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Canada, that number is 12.9% of GDP as of 2020.

Geography

see 72.2 times more coastline

South Africa has a total of 2,798 km of coastline. In Canada, that number is 202,080 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Canada Revenue Agency, South African Revenue Service.

Canada: At a glance

Canada is a sovereign country in North America, with a total land area of approximately 9,093,507 sq km. A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867 while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest unfortified border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.
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How big is Canada compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.

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