Quality of life comparison
If you lived in South Africa instead of Rwanda, you would:
Health
be 7.6 times more likely to be living with HIV/AIDS
In Rwanda, 2.5% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In South Africa, that number is 19.1% of people as of 2020.
be 4.9 times more likely to be obese
In Rwanda, 5.8% of adults are obese as of 2016. In South Africa, that number is 28.3% of people as of 2016.
Economy
make 4.1 times more money
Rwanda has a GDP per capita of $3,300 as of 2024, while in South Africa, the GDP per capita is $13,600 as of 2024.
be 56.5% less likely to live below the poverty line
In Rwanda, 38.2% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In South Africa, however, that number is 16.6% as of 2016.
be 2.8 times more likely to be unemployed
In Rwanda, 12.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2024. In South Africa, that number is 33.2% as of 2024.
pay a 50.0% higher top tax rate
Rwanda has a top tax rate of 30.0% as of 2016. In South Africa, the top tax rate is 45.0% as of 2017.
Life
be 48.5% less likely to die during childbirth
In Rwanda, approximately 229.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2023. In South Africa, 118.0 women do as of 2023.
be 15.7% more likely to be literate
In Rwanda, the literacy rate is 78.8% as of 2022. In South Africa, it is 91.2% as of 2024.
have 31.3% fewer children
In Rwanda, there are approximately 25.1 babies per 1,000 people as of 2025. In South Africa, there are 17.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2025.
Basic Needs
be 70.9% more likely to have access to electricity
In Rwanda, approximately 51% of people have electricity access (98% in urban areas, and 38% in rural areas) as of 2022. In South Africa, that number is 86% of people on average (87% in urban areas, and 92% in rural areas) as of 2022.
be 2.2 times more likely to have internet access
In Rwanda, approximately 34.0% of the population has internet access as of 2023. In South Africa, about 76.0% do as of 2023.
be 45.2% more likely to have access to improved drinking water
In Rwanda, approximately 65% of people have improved drinking water access (88% in urban areas, and 60% in rural areas) as of 2022. In South Africa, that number is 94% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 84% in rural areas) as of 2022.
Expenditures
spend 73.7% more on education
Rwanda spends 3.8% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. South Africa spends 6.6% of total GDP on education as of 2021.
spend 17.8% more on healthcare
Rwanda spends 7.3% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In South Africa, that number is 8.6% of GDP as of 2020.
The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Rwanda Revenue Authority, South African Revenue Service.
South Africa: At a glance
How big is South Africa compared to Rwanda? See an in-depth size comparison.