Quality of life comparison
If you lived in American Samoa instead of Laos, you would:
Health
live 3.8 years longer
In Laos, the average life expectancy is 69 years (67 years for men, 72 years for women) as of 2024. In American Samoa, that number is 73 years (70 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024.
be 8.3 times more likely to be obese
In Laos, 9.2% of adults are obese as of 2024. In American Samoa, that number is 75.9% of people as of 2024.
Economy
make 7.8 times more money
Laos has a GDP per capita of $2,325 as of 2025, while in American Samoa, the GDP per capita is $18,017 as of 2022.
Life
be 63.0% less likely to die during infancy
In Laos, approximately 27.2 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In American Samoa, on the other hand, 10.1 children do as of 2022.
have 28.4% fewer children
In Laos, there are approximately 20.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In American Samoa, there are 15.0 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 38.9% less likely to have access to electricity
In Laos, approximately 96% of people have electricity access (99% in urban areas, and 95% in rural areas) as of 2023. In American Samoa, that number is 59% of people on average (60% in urban areas, and 45% in rural areas) as of 2020.
be 38.6% less likely to have internet access
In Laos, approximately 65.6% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In American Samoa, about 40.3% do as of 2021.
Sources: World Bank (2022–2025), The World Factbook (2020–2022), World Health Organization (2024). How we calculate this
Compare further: Laos vs. American Samoa
American Samoa: At a glance
How big is American Samoa compared to Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.