Quality of life comparison
If you lived in American Samoa instead of Marshall Islands, you would:
Health
live 5.9 years longer
In Marshall Islands, the average life expectancy is 67 years (65 years for men, 69 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 80.8% more likely to be obese
In Marshall Islands, 42.0% of adults are obese as of 2024. In American Samoa, that number is 75.9% of people as of 2024.
Economy
be 17.2% less likely to be unemployed
In Marshall Islands, 36.0% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2006. In American Samoa, that number is 29.8% as of 2005.
make 2.1 times more money
Marshall Islands has a GDP per capita of $8,489 as of 2025, while in American Samoa, the GDP per capita is $18,017 as of 2022.
Life
be 55.7% less likely to die during infancy
In Marshall Islands, approximately 22.7 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 25.4% fewer children
In Marshall Islands, there are approximately 20.1 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 14.4% more likely to have access to drinking water
In Marshall Islands, approximately 87% of people have access to drinking water as of 2024. In American Samoa, 100% of people do as of 2024.
be 41.0% less likely to have access to electricity
In Marshall Islands, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (100% in urban areas, and 100% 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 38.9% less likely to have internet access
In Marshall Islands, approximately 65.9% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In American Samoa, about 40.3% do as of 2021.
Geography
see 68.7% less coastline
Marshall Islands has a total of 370 km of coastline. In American Samoa, that number is 116 km.
Sources: World Bank (2022–2025), The World Factbook (2005–2022), World Health Organization (2024). How we calculate this
Compare further: Marshall Islands vs. American Samoa
American Samoa: At a glance
How big is American Samoa compared to Marshall Islands? See an in-depth size comparison.