Quality of life comparison
If you lived in South Africa instead of Swaziland, you would:
Health
be 28.7% less likely to be living with HIV/AIDS
In Swaziland, 26.8% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In South Africa, that number is 19.1% of people as of 2020.
live 5.6 years longer
In Swaziland, the average life expectancy is 60 years (58 years for men, 62 years for women) as of 2022. In South Africa, that number is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 years for women) as of 2022.
be 71.5% more likely to be obese
In Swaziland, 16.5% of adults are obese as of 2016. In South Africa, that number is 28.3% of people as of 2016.
Economy
make 34.9% more money
Swaziland has a GDP per capita of $10,600 as of 2023, while in South Africa, the GDP per capita is $14,300 as of 2023.
be 25.6% less likely to be unemployed
In Swaziland, 37.6% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In South Africa, that number is 28.0% as of 2023.
be 71.8% less likely to live below the poverty line
In Swaziland, 58.9% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In South Africa, however, that number is 16.6% as of 2016.
pay a 36.4% higher top tax rate
Swaziland has a top tax rate of 33.0% as of 2016. In South Africa, the top tax rate is 45.0% as of 2017.
Life
be 70.9% less likely to die during childbirth
In Swaziland, approximately 437.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2017. In South Africa, 127.0 women do as of 2020.
be 34.7% less likely to die during infancy
In Swaziland, approximately 39.6 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In South Africa, on the other hand, 25.9 children do as of 2022.
have 20.6% fewer children
In Swaziland, there are approximately 22.3 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In South Africa, there are 17.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 22.0% more likely to have internet access
In Swaziland, approximately 59.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In South Africa, about 72.0% do as of 2021.
be 20.4% more likely to have access to improved drinking water
In Swaziland, approximately 80% of people have improved drinking water access (98% in urban areas, and 75% in rural areas) as of 2020. In South Africa, that number is 97% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 90% in rural areas) as of 2020.
Expenditures
spend 32.0% more on education
Swaziland spends 5.0% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. South Africa spends 6.6% of total GDP on education as of 2021.
spend 32.3% more on healthcare
Swaziland spends 6.5% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In South Africa, that number is 8.6% of GDP as of 2020.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: Swaziland Revenue Authority, The World Factbook, South African Revenue Service.
South Africa: At a glance
How big is South Africa compared to Swaziland? See an in-depth size comparison.