Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 10.8 years longer

In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022. In Seychelles, that number is 76 years (72 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2022.

be 50.5% less likely to be obese

In South Africa, 28.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Seychelles, that number is 14.0% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 2.1 times more money

South Africa has a GDP per capita of $14,300 as of 2023, while in Seychelles, the GDP per capita is $29,500 as of 2023.

be 89.3% less likely to be unemployed

In South Africa, 28.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Seychelles, that number is 3.0% as of 2017.

pay a 66.7% lower top tax rate

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

be 52.4% more likely to live below the poverty line

In South Africa, 16.6% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Seychelles, however, that number is 25.3% as of 2018.

Life

be 59.0% 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 Seychelles, on the other hand, 10.6 children do as of 2022.

have 33.3% fewer children

In South Africa, there are approximately 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Seychelles, there are 11.8 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 Seychelles, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

be 13.9% more likely to have internet access

In South Africa, approximately 72.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Seychelles, about 82.0% 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. Seychelles spends 5.2% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

spend 25.6% less on healthcare

South Africa spends 8.6% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Seychelles, that number is 6.4% of GDP as of 2020.

Geography

see 82.5% less coastline

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

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

Seychelles: At a glance

Seychelles is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 455 sq km. A lengthy struggle between France and Great Britain for the islands ended in 1814, when they were ceded to the latter. Independence came in 1976. Socialist rule was brought to a close with a new constitution and free elections in 1993. President France-Albert RENE, who had served since 1977, was re-elected in 2001, but stepped down in 2004. Vice President James Alix MICHEL took over the presidency and in July 2006 was elected to a new five-year term; he was reelected in May 2011.
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How big is Seychelles compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.

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