Quality of life comparison
If you lived in American Samoa instead of South Korea, you would:
Health
live 10.6 years less
In South Korea, the average life expectancy is 84 years (81 years for men, 87 years for women) as of 2024. In American Samoa, that number is 73 years (70 years for men, 76 years for women) as of 2024.
be 9.1 times more likely to be obese
In South Korea, 8.4% of adults are obese as of 2024. In American Samoa, that number is 75.9% of people as of 2024.
Economy
make 50.3% less money
South Korea has a GDP per capita of $36,227 as of 2025, while in American Samoa, the GDP per capita is $18,017 as of 2022.
Life
have 3.2 times more children
In South Korea, there are approximately 4.7 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In American Samoa, there are 15.0 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
be 4.4 times more likely to die during infancy
In South Korea, approximately 2.3 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In American Samoa, on the other hand, 10.1 children do as of 2022.
Basic Needs
be 41.0% less likely to have access to electricity
In South Korea, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023. In American Samoa, that number is 59% of people on average (60% in urban areas, and 45% in rural areas) as of 2020.
be 58.8% less likely to have internet access
In South Korea, approximately 97.9% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In American Samoa, about 40.3% do as of 2021.
Geography
see 95.2% less coastline
South Korea has a total of 2,413 km of coastline. In American Samoa, that number is 116 km.
Sources: World Bank (2022–2025), The World Factbook (2020–2022), World Health Organization (2024). How we calculate this
Compare further: South Korea vs. American Samoa
American Samoa: At a glance
How big is American Samoa compared to South Korea? See an in-depth size comparison.