Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Botswana instead of New Jersey, you would:

Health

live 11.9 years less

In New Jersey, the average life expectancy is 78 years (78 years for men, 82 years for women) as of 2020. In Botswana, that number is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2022.

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Economy

make 75.3% less money

New Jersey has a GDP per capita of $70,788 as of 2024, while in Botswana, the GDP per capita is $17,500 as of 2023.

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be 5.2 times more likely to be unemployed

In New Jersey, 4.5% of adults are unemployed as of 2025. In Botswana, that number is 23.4% as of 2023.

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Basic Needs

be 19.5% less likely to have internet access

In New Jersey, approximately 91.9% of the population has internet access as of 2023. In Botswana, about 74.0% do as of 2021.

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The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, OECD Regional Demography, Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Compare further: New Jersey vs. Botswana

Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Botswana is 54.2% cheaper than New Jersey
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Size Comparison · See true size
New Jersey is about 30 times smaller than Botswana.
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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 New Jersey? See an in-depth size comparison.

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