Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Turkmenistan instead of South Africa, you would:
Health
live 3.9 years longer
In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 66 years (63 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2024. In Turkmenistan, that number is 70 years (67 years for men, 73 years for women) as of 2024.
be 30.1% less likely to be obese
In South Africa, 31.8% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Turkmenistan, that number is 22.2% of people as of 2024.
have 2.4 times more doctors per person
South Africa has 7.9 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Turkmenistan has 19.3 as of 2023.
be 69.4% less likely to die by suicide
South Africa has a suicide rate of 22.3 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Turkmenistan, it is 6.8 per 100,000 as of 2021.
Economy
be 86.8% less likely to be unemployed
In South Africa, 32.4% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Turkmenistan, that number is 4.3% as of 2025.
Life
be 95.8% 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 Turkmenistan, 5.0 women do as of 2023.
have 13.1% more children
In South Africa, there are approximately 18.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Turkmenistan, there are 20.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
be 25.6% more 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 Turkmenistan, on the other hand, 30.4 children do 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 Turkmenistan, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023.
be 10.8% 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 Turkmenistan, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2024.
be 67.7% less likely to have internet access
In South Africa, approximately 78.4% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Turkmenistan, about 25.3% do as of 2022.
Expenditures
spend 28.7% less on education
South Africa spends 6.0% of its total GDP on education as of 2024. Turkmenistan spends 4.3% of total GDP on education as of 2024.
spend 38.3% less on healthcare
South Africa spends 8.9% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Turkmenistan, that number is 5.5% of GDP as of 2023.
Safety
be 67.3% less likely to die in a road accident
In South Africa, road accidents kill 24.5 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Turkmenistan, they kill 8.0 per 100,000 as of 2021.
Infrastructure
live with 2.0 times more strain on fresh water
South Africa withdraws 68% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Turkmenistan withdraws 135% as of 2022.
use 14.5% less electricity
South Africa uses 3,247 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Turkmenistan uses 2,778 kWh as of 2023.
Environment
be 85.1% more likely to die from air pollution
In South Africa, air pollution causes 47.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Turkmenistan, it causes 87.0 as of 2019.
emit 57.8% more CO2
South Africa emits 6.9 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Turkmenistan emits 10.9 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook (2022). How we calculate this
Compare further: South Africa vs. Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan: At a glance
How big is Turkmenistan compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.