Where is it better to live in Taiwan or in South Africa?
To answer the question - which country - Taiwan or South Africa, is more comfortable for living, let’s compare different constituents which make the standard of living:
Would you like to contrast other countries? Fill them in the proper gaps and choose the criteria for comparison:
Perhaps, it’s difficult to argue that it’s better to live in a rich country than in a poor one. As of 2024 year data, the basic indicator of the economic development - GDP by purchasing power parity per capita - was:
● In Taiwan - 80,6 thousand dollars,
● In South Africa - 15,3 thousand dollars.
Thus, according to the gross production per one person, Taiwan leaves South Africa behind by %.
Let’s compare the data about minimum and average labor level pay in both countries.
● The minimum wage in Taiwan set at 27,500 Taiwanese dollars (approximately US$ 890);
● The minimum wage in South Africa set at 23.19 rand per hour, 4,000 rand per month (1.6 and US$ 275, respectively).
The average gross salary (before the taxes and other mandatory fees) is:
● in Taiwan - 58,000 Taiwanese Dollars (1840 US$);
● in South Africa - 32 thousand rand (about 1700 US$).
Where are the prices lower? up↑
The average GDP gap per capita is narrowed down by the difference in cost of living. According to the statistics of the data base Numbeo, at the beginning of 2025 year, Taiwan is a more expensive country.
The price level in Taiwan for basic goods and services (including food, consumer goods, transport, mobile connection and utility bills) is on average % higher than in South Africa. In other words, at the current exchange rate 1000 dollars in South Africa will have the same purchasing power as dollars in Taiwan.
Where is the crime rate lower? up↑
One can evaluate the general level of criminal situation with the help of “crime rate”. This indicator is calculated by the portal Numbeo, which specializes in rating scores of different life aspects in all the world regions and shows how safe it is to live in the country from a risk of becoming a victim of lawbreakers (the higher the crime rate is, the higher the risk is). As of 2025 year, the crime rate is:
● in Taiwan - 17.1;
● in South Africa - 74.7
***
To estimate the population law-abidingness and law enforcement activity, let’s pay attention to the statics of premeditated murders and to the data about the number of Taiwanese and South Africans, being imprisoned.
Yearly out of 100 thousand people, murders kill:
● in Taiwan - 0.82 people;
● in South Africa - 33.96 people
***As of 2023 year, in prisons and criminal camps the number of inmates is:
● in Taiwan - 54.1 thousand, or 219 prisoners per 100,000 people;
● in South Africa - 140.9 thousand, or 235 prisoners per 100,000 people
So, if we consider the risks connected with the crimes, the safer country is definitely Taiwan.
Where do people get sick less and live longer? up↑
The life quality is greatly defined by how long the people live. According to the latest data, the life expectancy is:
● in Taiwan - 79.4 years (76 years among men and 82.7 years among women)
● in South Africa - 65.3 years (62.2 years among men and 68.3 years among women)
***
We can estimate the effectiveness of the health care systems of Taiwan and South Africa on the base of the health care quality index which is estimated by Nubmbeo. The index comprehensively displays how bad or good it is in the country with medical services, taking into consideration hospital facilities, medicines, staff professionalism and treatment availability in terms of cost. As of 2025 year, the index is:
● in Taiwan - 86.5;
● in South Africa - 63.8
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