Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 17.2 years longer

In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022. In Liechtenstein, that number is 83 years (80 years for men, 85 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 9.7 times more money

South Africa has a GDP per capita of $14,300 as of 2023, while in Liechtenstein, the GDP per capita is $139,100 as of 2009.

be 91.4% less likely to be unemployed

In South Africa, 28.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Liechtenstein, that number is 2.4% as of 2015.

pay a 46.7% lower top tax rate

South Africa has a top tax rate of 45.0% as of 2017. In Liechtenstein, the top tax rate is 24.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 84.3% 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 Liechtenstein, on the other hand, 4.0 children do as of 2022.

have 41.8% fewer children

In South Africa, there are approximately 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Liechtenstein, there are 10.3 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 Liechtenstein, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

be 33.3% more likely to have internet access

In South Africa, approximately 72.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Liechtenstein, about 96.0% do as of 2021.

Expenditures

spend 60.6% less on education

South Africa spends 6.6% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Liechtenstein spends 2.6% of total GDP on education as of 2011.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Ministry of Finance, South African Revenue Service.

Liechtenstein: At a glance

Liechtenstein is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 160 sq km. The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719. Occupied by both French and Russian troops during the Napoleonic Wars, it became a sovereign state in 1806 and joined the Germanic Confederation in 1815. Liechtenstein became fully independent in 1866 when the Confederation dissolved. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to enter into a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. In 2000, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight resulted in concerns about the use of financial institutions for money laundering. However, Liechtenstein implemented anti-money laundering legislation and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the US that went into effect in 2003.
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How big is Liechtenstein compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.

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