Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Republic of the Congo instead of United States, you would:
Health
be 70.2% less likely to be obese
In United States, 41.0% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Republic of the Congo, that number is 12.2% of people as of 2024.
be 57.1% less likely to die by suicide
United States has a suicide rate of 15.6 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Republic of the Congo, it is 6.7 per 100,000 as of 2021.
live 12.9 years less
In United States, the average life expectancy is 79 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2024. In Republic of the Congo, that number is 66 years (64 years for men, 68 years for women) as of 2024.
see 98.4% less spent on your healthcare
United States spends $13,473 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Republic of the Congo spends $209 as of 2023.
have 95.3% fewer doctors per person
United States has 36.8 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Republic of the Congo has 1.7 as of 2022.
have 52.3% less access to essential health services
United States scores 86 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Republic of the Congo scores 41 as of 2021.
Economy
be 4.7 times more likely to be unemployed
In United States, 4.2% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Republic of the Congo, that number is 19.9% as of 2025.
be 2.7 times more likely to live below the poverty line
In United States, 15.1% live below the poverty line as of 2010. In Republic of the Congo, however, that number is 40.9% as of 2011.
make 97.2% less money
United States has a GDP per capita of $90,027 as of 2025, while in Republic of the Congo, the GDP per capita is $2,515 as of 2025.
Life
have 2.9 times more children
In United States, there are approximately 10.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Republic of the Congo, there are 30.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
be 14.2 times more likely to die during childbirth
In United States, approximately 17.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Republic of the Congo, 241.0 women do as of 2023.
be 4.9 times more likely to die during infancy
In United States, approximately 5.5 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Republic of the Congo, on the other hand, 27.0 children do as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 48.7% less likely to have access to electricity
In United States, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Republic of the Congo, that number is 51% of people on average (69% in urban areas, and 11% in rural areas) as of 2023.
be 50.1% less likely to have internet access
In United States, approximately 94.7% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Republic of the Congo, about 47.2% do as of 2024.
be 26.5% less likely to have access to drinking water
In United States, approximately 100% of people have access to drinking water (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2024. In Republic of the Congo, that number is 73% of people on average (87% in urban areas, and 44% in rural areas) as of 2021.
Expenditures
spend 38.4% less on education
United States spends 5.4% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Republic of the Congo spends 3.3% of total GDP on education as of 2023.
spend 80.2% less on healthcare
United States spends 16.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Republic of the Congo, that number is 3.3% of GDP as of 2023.
Geography
see 99.2% less coastline
United States has a total of 19,924 km of coastline. In Republic of the Congo, that number is 169 km.
Safety
be 40.8% less likely to die in a road accident
In United States, road accidents kill 14.2 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Republic of the Congo, they kill 8.4 per 100,000 as of 2021.
Infrastructure
live with 99.9% less strain on fresh water
United States withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Republic of the Congo withdraws 0% as of 2022.
find 96.7% less home broadband
United States has 38.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Republic of the Congo has 1.3 as of 2023.
use 97.4% less electricity
United States uses 12,839 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2024. Republic of the Congo uses 338 kWh as of 2023.
Environment
emit 90.2% less CO2
United States emits 13.6 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Republic of the Congo emits 1.3 tonnes as of 2024.
be 4.7 times more likely to die from air pollution
In United States, air pollution causes 14.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Republic of the Congo, it causes 66.0 as of 2019.
Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), The World Factbook (2010–2011), World Health Organization (2024). How we calculate this
Compare further: United States vs. Republic of the Congo
Republic of the Congo: At a glance
How big is Republic of the Congo compared to United States? See an in-depth size comparison.