If you lived in Gabon instead of French Polynesia, you would:

Health

be 53.9% less likely to be obese

In French Polynesia, 49.1% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Gabon, that number is 22.7% of people as of 2024.

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live 15.7 years less

In French Polynesia, the average life expectancy is 84 years (82 years for men, 87 years for women) as of 2024. In Gabon, that number is 69 years (66 years for men, 71 years for women) as of 2024.

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Economy

be 72.8% more likely to be unemployed

In French Polynesia, 11.7% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Gabon, that number is 20.1% as of 2025.

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make 63.2% less money

French Polynesia has a GDP per capita of $22,440 as of 2024, while in Gabon, the GDP per capita is $8,263 as of 2025.

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Life

have 2.5 times more children

In French Polynesia, there are approximately 10.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Gabon, there are 27.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 5.9 times more likely to die during infancy

In French Polynesia, approximately 4.4 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Gabon, on the other hand, 25.9 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 11.4% less likely to have access to drinking water

In French Polynesia, approximately 100% of people have access to drinking water as of 2024. In Gabon, 89% of people do as of 2024.

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Geography

see 65.0% less coastline

French Polynesia has a total of 2,525 km of coastline. In Gabon, that number is 885 km.

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Infrastructure

find 86.8% less home broadband

French Polynesia has 35.5 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2023. Gabon has 4.7 as of 2024.

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Environment

emit 40.8% less CO2

French Polynesia emits 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Gabon emits 2.0 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2023–2025), The World Factbook (2022), World Health Organization (2024). How we calculate this

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 French Polynesia? See an in-depth size comparison.

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