Moving to Ethiopia from Benin

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Benin to Ethiopia? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Benin to Ethiopia, and you’d need to navigate life in Amharic.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Ethiopia compared to Benin.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2017

per 100,000 people per year

BJ
1.1
ET
8.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BJ
24.8
ET
17.7

Benin generally does better on safety, though Ethiopia leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BJ
$138
ET
$86
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2023

affects wait times and access to care

BJ
2.2
ET
1.4

Ethiopia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BJ
77.0
ET
46.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BJ
0.5t
ET
0.1t

Ethiopia performs significantly better than Benin across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BJ
0.3
ET
0.6
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BJ
1.0%
ET
32.3%

Benin generally does better on infrastructure, though Ethiopia leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

BJ
1.6%
ET
3.3%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

BJ
$1,658
ET
$933

Benin generally does better on employment & economy, though Ethiopia leads in poverty rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

BJ
61.0 yrs
ET
67.6 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BJ
45.2
ET
34.5

Ethiopia generally does better on family life, though Benin leads in education spending.

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Porto-novo Rain: 47.0 in/yr (1194 mm)
None° / None°F

Avg. annual high / low

Addis Ababa Rain: 45.9 in/yr (1165 mm)
74° / 49°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Porto-novo Addis Ababa
Jan–Mar — 76°/48°F (24°/9°C)
Apr–Jun — 75°/51°F (24°/11°C)
Jul–Sep — 71°/50°F (21°/10°C)
Oct–Dec — 73°/46°F (23°/8°C)
View all months
Month Porto-novo Addis Ababa
Jan — 75°/46°F (24.0°/8.0°C)
Feb — 75°/48°F (24.0°/9.0°C)
Mar — 77°/50°F (25.0°/10.0°C)
Apr — 75°/52°F (24.0°/11.0°C)
May — 77°/52°F (25.0°/11.0°C)
Jun — 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.0°C)
Jul — 70°/50°F (21.0°/10.0°C)
Aug — 70°/50°F (21.0°/10.0°C)
Sep — 72°/50°F (22.0°/10.0°C)
Oct — 73°/48°F (23.0°/9.0°C)
Nov — 73°/45°F (23.0°/7.0°C)
Dec — 73°/45°F (23.0°/7.0°C)

Data: Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN) Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN), Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI) Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Benin passport

Benin passport holder visiting Ethiopia

Visa on Arrival
Benin passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia passport

Ethiopia passport holder visiting Benin

Visa Free
Ethiopia passport holders can enter Benin 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 Ethiopia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Ethiopia: 0.6 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Ethiopia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Ethiopia safe for expats?

Benin generally does better on safety, though Ethiopia leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Ethiopia is 8.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in Benin.

How is healthcare in Ethiopia compared to Benin?

Ethiopia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 1.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Ethiopia, compared to 2.2 in Benin. Ethiopia scores 35 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Benin: 38).

What's the weather like in Ethiopia compared to Benin?

The average high temperature in Addis Ababa is 74°F, compared to None°F in Porto-novo. Addis Ababa receives around 45.9 in of rainfall per year, while Porto-novo gets 47.0 in.

What language do they speak in Ethiopia?

The official language in Ethiopia is Amharic. In Benin, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

BJ ET
Population 14,814,460 135,472,051
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
Languages French Amharic
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +229 +251
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number — 911