If you lived in Gambia instead of Aruba, you would:

Health

live 10.4 years less

In Aruba, the average life expectancy is 76 years (74 years for men, 79 years for women) as of 2024. In Gambia, that number is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

make 97.6% less money

Aruba has a GDP per capita of $38,591 as of 2024, while in Gambia, the GDP per capita is $919 as of 2025.

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Life

have 3.9 times more children

In Aruba, there are approximately 7.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Gambia, there are 29.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 47.2% less likely to be literate

In Aruba, the literacy rate is 97.8% as of 2018. In Gambia, it is 51.6% as of 2021.

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be 2.7 times more likely to die during infancy

In Aruba, approximately 12.1 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Gambia, on the other hand, 32.7 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 33.1% less likely to have access to electricity

In Aruba, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Gambia, that number is 67% of people on average (85% in urban areas, and 35% in rural areas) as of 2023.

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be 49.0% less likely to have internet access

In Aruba, approximately 97.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Gambia, about 49.5% do as of 2024.

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Expenditures

spend 22.4% less on education

Aruba spends 3.6% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Gambia spends 2.8% of total GDP on education as of 2023.

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Geography

see 16.8% more coastline

Aruba has a total of 68 km of coastline. In Gambia, that number is 80 km.

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Infrastructure

find 97.0% less home broadband

Aruba has 17.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2022. Gambia has 0.5 as of 2024.

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Environment

emit 96.5% less CO2

Aruba emits 5.2 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Gambia emits 0.2 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), The World Factbook (2018–2022). How we calculate this

Gambia: At a glance

Gambia is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 10,120 sq km. The Gambia gained its independence from the UK in 1965. Geographically surrounded by Senegal, it formed a short-lived federation of Senegambia between 1982 and 1989. In 1991 the two nations signed a friendship and cooperation treaty, but tensions have flared up intermittently since then. Yahya JAMMEH led a military coup in 1994 that overthrew the president and banned political activity. A new constitution and presidential elections in 1996, followed by parliamentary balloting in 1997, completed a nominal return to civilian rule. JAMMEH has been elected president in all subsequent elections including most recently in late 2011.
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