Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Gabon instead of Rwanda, you would:

Health

live 3.9 years longer

In Rwanda, the average life expectancy is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2022. In Gabon, that number is 70 years (68 years for men, 71 years for women) as of 2022.

be 20.0% more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In Rwanda, 2.5% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 3.0% of people as of 2020.

be 2.6 times more likely to be obese

In Rwanda, 5.8% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Gabon, that number is 15.0% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 6.9 times more money

Rwanda has a GDP per capita of $2,100 as of 2020, while in Gabon, the GDP per capita is $14,400 as of 2020.

be 12.6% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Rwanda, 38.2% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Gabon, however, that number is 33.4% as of 2017.

be 10.4 times more likely to be unemployed

In Rwanda, 2.7% of adults are unemployed as of 2014. In Gabon, that number is 28.0% as of 2015.

pay a 16.7% higher top tax rate

Rwanda has a top tax rate of 30.0% as of 2016. In Gabon, the top tax rate is 35.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 15.7% more likely to be literate

In Rwanda, the literacy rate is 73.2% as of 2018. In Gabon, it is 84.7% as of 2018.

Basic Needs

be 73.6% more likely to have access to electricity

In Rwanda, approximately 53% of people have electricity access (76% in urban areas, and 48% in rural areas) as of 2019. In Gabon, that number is 92% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 39% in rural areas) as of 2019.

be 2.3 times more likely to have internet access

In Rwanda, approximately 27.0% of the population has internet access as of 2020. In Gabon, about 62.0% do as of 2020.

be 12.6% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Rwanda, approximately 83% of people have improved drinking water access (92% in urban areas, and 81% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Gabon, that number is 93% of people on average (97% in urban areas, and 55% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 17.6% less on education

Rwanda spends 3.4% of its total GDP on education as of 2020. Gabon spends 2.8% of total GDP on education as of 2019.

spend 56.2% less on healthcare

Rwanda spends 6.4% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2019. In Gabon, that number is 2.8% of GDP as of 2019.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, General Direction of Taxes, Rwanda Revenue Authority.

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 Rwanda? See an in-depth size comparison.

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