Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Puerto Rico instead of South Africa, you would:
Health
live 15.6 years longer
In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 66 years (63 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2024. In Puerto Rico, that number is 82 years (78 years for men, 85 years for women) as of 2024.
be 75.7% less likely to die by suicide
South Africa has a suicide rate of 22.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Puerto Rico, it is 5.4 per 100,000 as of 2021.
be 33.4% more likely to be obese
In South Africa, 31.8% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Puerto Rico, that number is 42.4% of people as of 2024.
Economy
be 81.5% less likely to be unemployed
In South Africa, 32.4% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Puerto Rico, that number is 6.0% as of 2025.
make 6.2 times more money
South Africa has a GDP per capita of $6,598 as of 2025, while in Puerto Rico, the GDP per capita is $40,620 as of 2025.
Life
be 90.7% less likely to die during childbirth
In South Africa, approximately 118.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Puerto Rico, 11.0 women do as of 2023.
be 75.0% less likely to die during infancy
In South Africa, approximately 24.2 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Puerto Rico, on the other hand, 6.0 children do as of 2022.
have 69.2% fewer children
In South Africa, there are approximately 18.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Puerto Rico, there are 5.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 14.0% more likely to have access to electricity
In South Africa, approximately 88% of people have electricity access (91% in urban areas, and 94% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Puerto Rico, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023.
be 11.4% more likely to have internet access
In South Africa, approximately 78.4% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Puerto Rico, about 87.3% do as of 2022.
be 10.9% more likely to have access to drinking water
In South Africa, approximately 90% of people have access to drinking water as of 2024. In Puerto Rico, 100% of people do as of 2024.
Expenditures
spend 29.1% less on education
South Africa spends 6.0% of its total GDP on education as of 2024. Puerto Rico spends 4.3% of total GDP on education as of 2024.
Geography
see 82.1% less coastline
South Africa has a total of 2,798 km of coastline. In Puerto Rico, that number is 501 km.
Safety
be 66.6% less likely to be murdered
South Africa has a homicide rate of 43.7 per 100,000 people as of 2022. In Puerto Rico, that number is 14.6 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 49.0% less likely to die in a road accident
In South Africa, road accidents kill 24.5 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Puerto Rico, they kill 12.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.
Infrastructure
find 5.2 times more home broadband
South Africa has 5.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Puerto Rico has 28.0 as of 2024.
live with 71.1% less strain on fresh water
South Africa withdraws 68% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Puerto Rico withdraws 20% as of 2022.
Environment
emit 29.9% less CO2
South Africa emits 6.9 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Puerto Rico emits 4.8 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), The World Factbook (2022), World Health Organization (2024), United Nations SDG Indicators (2021). How we calculate this
Compare further: South Africa vs. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico: At a glance
How big is Puerto Rico compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.