Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Gabon instead of Zimbabwe, you would:

Health

be 74.8% less likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Zimbabwe, 11.9% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 3.0% of people as of 2020.

live 6.4 years longer

In Zimbabwe, the average life expectancy is 63 years (61 years for men, 66 years for women) as of 2022. In Gabon, that number is 70 years (68 years for men, 71 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

make 5.7 times more money

Zimbabwe has a GDP per capita of $3,500 as of 2023, while in Gabon, the GDP per capita is $19,800 as of 2023.

be 12.8% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Zimbabwe, 38.3% live below the poverty line as of 2019. In Gabon, however, that number is 33.4% as of 2017.

pay a 30.0% lower top tax rate

Zimbabwe has a top tax rate of 50.0% as of 2016. In Gabon, the top tax rate is 35.0% as of 2016.

be 2.3 times more likely to be unemployed

In Zimbabwe, 8.8% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Gabon, that number is 20.4% as of 2023.

Life

be 36.4% less likely to die during childbirth

In Zimbabwe, approximately 357.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Gabon, 227.0 women do as of 2020.

have 10.8% fewer children

In Zimbabwe, there are approximately 28.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Gabon, there are 25.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 86.6% more likely to have access to electricity

In Zimbabwe, approximately 50% of people have electricity access (85% in urban areas, and 32% in rural areas) as of 2022. In Gabon, that number is 94% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 27% in rural areas) as of 2022.

be 2.1 times more likely to have internet access

In Zimbabwe, approximately 35.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Gabon, about 72.0% do as of 2021.

be 21.1% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Zimbabwe, approximately 77% of people have improved drinking water access (98% in urban areas, and 67% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 93% of people on average (97% in urban areas, and 55% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 11.1% less on education

Zimbabwe spends 3.6% of its total GDP on education as of 2018. Gabon spends 3.2% of total GDP on education as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, General Direction of Taxes, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.

Gabon: At a glance

Gabon is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 257,667 sq km. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - dominated the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009) following independence from France in 1960. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in December 2002 and the presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, new elections brought Ali BONGO Ondimba, son of the former president, to power. Despite constrained political conditions, Gabon's small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make it one of the more stable African countries.
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How big is Gabon compared to Zimbabwe? See an in-depth size comparison.

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