Moving to Kenya from Barbados

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Barbados to Kenya — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Barbados to Kenya.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Barbados to Kenya.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BB
15.3
KE
4.9
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BB
10.0
KE
28.2

Barbados generally does better on safety, though Kenya leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BB
$1,153
KE
$274
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BB
29.7
KE
1.0

Barbados generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Kenya leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BB
19.0
KE
33.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BB
2.5t
KE
0.4t

Barbados generally does better on environment, though Kenya leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BB
37.6
KE
1.9
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BB
87.5%
KE
33.2%

Barbados generally does better on infrastructure, though Kenya leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BB
8.0%
KE
5.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BB
$17,400
KE
$5,700

Kenya generally does better on employment & economy, though Barbados leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BB
78.5 yrs
KE
69.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BB
9.6
KE
27.9

Barbados performs better than Kenya across all family life metrics.

Data: Ministry of Finance, Barbados, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Barbados and Kenya. To live, work, or study long-term in Kenya, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Kenya's immigration authority.

Barbados passport

Barbados passport holder visiting Kenya

Visa Free
Barbados passport holders can enter Kenya without a visa.
Kenya passport

Kenya passport holder visiting Barbados

Visa Free
Kenya passport holders can enter Barbados without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Kenya?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Kenya has 1.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Kenya safe for expats?

Barbados generally does better on safety, though Kenya leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Kenya is 4.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 15.3 in Barbados.

How is healthcare in Kenya compared to Barbados?

Barbados generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Kenya leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Kenya, compared to 29.7 in Barbados. Kenya scores 53 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Barbados: 77).

What language do they speak in Kenya?

The official languages in Kenya are English and Swahili. In Barbados, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

BB KE
Population 302,674 55,864,655
Currency Barbadian Dollar (BBD) Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Languages English English, Swahili
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +1246 +254
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999