Quality of life comparison
If you lived in South Africa instead of Tajikistan, you would:
Health
be 95.5 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS
In Tajikistan, 0.2% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In South Africa, that number is 19.1% of people as of 2020.
live 4.0 years less
In Tajikistan, the average life expectancy is 69 years (66 years for men, 73 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 99.3% more likely to be obese
In Tajikistan, 14.2% of adults are obese as of 2016. In South Africa, that number is 28.3% of people as of 2016.
Economy
make 3.3 times more money
Tajikistan has a GDP per capita of $4,100 as of 2022, while in South Africa, the GDP per capita is $13,500 as of 2022.
be 26.2% less likely to live below the poverty line
In Tajikistan, 22.5% live below the poverty line as of 2022. In South Africa, however, that number is 16.6% as of 2016.
be 4.1 times more likely to be unemployed
In Tajikistan, 7.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2022. In South Africa, that number is 28.8% as of 2022.
pay a 3.5 times higher top tax rate
Tajikistan has a top tax rate of 13.0% as of 2016. In South Africa, the top tax rate is 45.0% as of 2017.
Life
be 20.0% less likely to die during infancy
In Tajikistan, approximately 32.3 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.
be 7.5 times more likely to die during childbirth
In Tajikistan, approximately 17.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In South Africa, 127.0 women do as of 2020.
have 31.4% fewer children
In Tajikistan, there are approximately 25.8 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 2.4 times more likely to have internet access
In Tajikistan, approximately 30.4% of the population has internet access as of 2022. In South Africa, about 72.0% do as of 2021.
be 14.6% more likely to have access to improved drinking water
In Tajikistan, approximately 84% of people have improved drinking water access (96% in urban areas, and 80% 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.
be 10.3% less likely to have access to electricity
In Tajikistan, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (99% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2021. In South Africa, that number is 89% of people on average (87% in urban areas, and 92% in rural areas) as of 2021.
Expenditures
spend 11.9% more on education
Tajikistan spends 5.9% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. South Africa spends 6.6% of total GDP on education as of 2021.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: National Center of Legislation under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, The World Factbook, South African Revenue Service.
South Africa: At a glance
How big is South Africa compared to Tajikistan? See an in-depth size comparison.