Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Trinidad and Tobago instead of South Africa, you would:
Health
live 7.3 years longer
In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 66 years (63 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2024. In Trinidad and Tobago, that number is 74 years (71 years for men, 77 years for women) as of 2024.
see 65.7% more spent on your healthcare
South Africa spends $1,354 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Trinidad and Tobago spends $2,244 as of 2023.
have 5.2 times more doctors per person
South Africa has 7.9 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Trinidad and Tobago has 41.6 as of 2021.
be 40.2% less likely to die by suicide
South Africa has a suicide rate of 22.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Trinidad and Tobago, it is 13.3 per 100,000 as of 2021.
Economy
be 89.7% less likely to be unemployed
In South Africa, 32.4% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Trinidad and Tobago, that number is 3.3% as of 2025.
make 2.9 times more money
South Africa has a GDP per capita of $6,598 as of 2025, while in Trinidad and Tobago, the GDP per capita is $18,967 as of 2025.
Life
be 54.2% 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 Trinidad and Tobago, 54.0 women do as of 2023.
be 29.8% 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 Trinidad and Tobago, on the other hand, 17.0 children do as of 2024.
have 43.0% fewer children
In South Africa, there are approximately 18.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Trinidad and Tobago, there are 10.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 12.5% 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 Trinidad and Tobago, that number is 99% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 98% in rural areas) as of 2023.
be 10.0% more likely to have access to drinking water
In South Africa, approximately 90% of people have access to drinking water (98% in urban areas, and 73% in rural areas) as of 2024. In Trinidad and Tobago, that number is 99% of people on average (99% in urban areas, and 99% in rural areas) as of 2024.
Expenditures
spend 46.3% less on education
South Africa spends 6.0% of its total GDP on education as of 2024. Trinidad and Tobago spends 3.2% of total GDP on education as of 2023.
spend 15.5% less on healthcare
South Africa spends 8.9% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Trinidad and Tobago, that number is 7.5% of GDP as of 2023.
Geography
see 87.1% less coastline
South Africa has a total of 2,798 km of coastline. In Trinidad and Tobago, that number is 362 km.
Safety
be 79.6% less likely to die in a road accident
In South Africa, road accidents kill 24.5 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Trinidad and Tobago, they kill 5.0 per 100,000 as of 2021.
Infrastructure
find 5.1 times more home broadband
South Africa has 5.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Trinidad and Tobago has 27.0 as of 2024.
live with 69.9% less strain on fresh water
South Africa withdraws 68% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Trinidad and Tobago withdraws 20% as of 2022.
use 2.1 times more electricity
South Africa uses 3,247 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Trinidad and Tobago uses 6,664 kWh as of 2023.
Environment
be 57.4% less likely to die from air pollution
In South Africa, air pollution causes 47.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Trinidad and Tobago, it causes 20.0 as of 2019.
emit 2.8 times more CO2
South Africa emits 6.9 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Trinidad and Tobago emits 19.6 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), The World Factbook. How we calculate this
Compare further: South Africa vs. Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago: At a glance
How big is Trinidad and Tobago compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.