Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Botswana instead of Laos, you would:

Health

be 66.3 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Laos, 0.3% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 19.9% of people as of 2020.

live 2.5 years less

In Laos, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2022. In Botswana, that number is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2022.

be 3.6 times more likely to be obese

In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Botswana, that number is 18.9% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 2.1 times more money

Laos has a GDP per capita of $7,800 as of 2020, while in Botswana, the GDP per capita is $16,000 as of 2020.

be 28.6 times more likely to be unemployed

In Laos, 0.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2017. In Botswana, that number is 20.0% as of 2013.

Life

be 22.2% less likely to die during childbirth

In Laos, approximately 185.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2017. In Botswana, 144.0 women do as of 2017.

be 33.4% less likely to die during infancy

In Laos, approximately 37.8 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Botswana, on the other hand, 25.2 children do as of 2022.

Basic Needs

be 88.2% more likely to have internet access

In Laos, approximately 34.0% of the population has internet access as of 2020. In Botswana, about 64.0% do as of 2020.

be 11.9% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Laos, approximately 89% of people have improved drinking water access (97% in urban areas, and 84% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 99% of people on average (98% in urban areas, and 97% in rural areas) as of 2020.

be 37.9% less likely to have access to electricity

In Laos, approximately 95% of people have electricity access (98% in urban areas, and 93% in rural areas) as of 2019. In Botswana, that number is 59% of people on average (71% in urban areas, and 29% in rural areas) as of 2019.

Expenditures

spend 2.4 times more on education

Laos spends 2.9% of its total GDP on education as of 2014. Botswana spends 6.9% of total GDP on education as of 2019.

spend 2.3 times more on healthcare

Laos spends 2.6% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2019. In Botswana, that number is 6.1% of GDP as of 2019.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook.

Botswana: At a glance

Botswana is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 566,730 sq km. Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name upon independence in 1966. More than four decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.
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How big is Botswana compared to Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.

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