Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Costa Rica instead of South Africa, you would:

Health

be 97.9% less likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In South Africa, 19.1% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Costa Rica, that number is 0.4% of people as of 2020.

live 14.3 years longer

In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022. In Costa Rica, that number is 80 years (77 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 80.4% more money

South Africa has a GDP per capita of $14,300 as of 2023, while in Costa Rica, the GDP per capita is $25,800 as of 2023.

be 70.3% less likely to be unemployed

In South Africa, 28.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Costa Rica, that number is 8.3% as of 2023.

pay a 66.7% lower top tax rate

South Africa has a top tax rate of 45.0% as of 2017. In Costa Rica, the top tax rate is 15.0% as of 2016.

be 53.6% more likely to live below the poverty line

In South Africa, 16.6% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Costa Rica, however, that number is 25.5% as of 2022.

Life

be 82.7% less likely to die during childbirth

In South Africa, approximately 127.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Costa Rica, 22.0 women do as of 2020.

be 67.6% 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 Costa Rica, on the other hand, 8.4 children do as of 2022.

have 39.0% fewer children

In South Africa, there are approximately 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Costa Rica, there are 10.8 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 the population has electricity access as of 2022. In Costa Rica, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

be 15.3% more likely to have internet access

In South Africa, approximately 72.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Costa Rica, about 83.0% do as of 2021.

Geography

see 53.9% less coastline

South Africa has a total of 2,798 km of coastline. In Costa Rica, that number is 1,290 km.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, South African Revenue Service, Directorate General of Taxation of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica: At a glance

Costa Rica is a sovereign country in Central America/Caribbean, with a total land area of approximately 51,060 sq km. Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by natives, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. In 1949, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.
Read more

How big is Costa Rica compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.

Share this

ASK THE ELSEWHERE COMMUNITY

Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Costa Rica.or South Africa It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.