Moving to Samoa from Benin

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Benin to Samoa, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Samoan. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Samoa compared to Benin.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BJ
24.8
WS
9.6

Samoa performs significantly better than Benin across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BJ
$138
WS
$474
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BJ
2.0
WS
5.5

Benin generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa 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
WS
34.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BJ
0.5t
WS
1.6t

Benin generally does better on environment, though Samoa leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BJ
0.2
WS
0.8
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

BJ
34.0%
WS
78.0%

Samoa performs significantly better than Benin across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BJ
1.4%
WS
9.8%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BJ
$3,800
WS
$6,000

Samoa generally does better on employment & economy, though Benin leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BJ
62.2 yrs
WS
75.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BJ
55.8
WS
17.0

Samoa performs significantly better than Benin across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

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

Apia Rain: 116.7 in/yr (2965 mm)
86° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Porto-novo Apia
Jan–Mar 87°/75°F (31°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 87°/74°F (30°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 85°/73°F (30°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 87°/74°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Porto-novo Apia
Jan 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.9°C)
Feb 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.2°C)
Mar 87°/75°F (30.6°/24.0°C)
Apr 87°/75°F (30.7°/23.8°C)
May 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.4°C)
Jun 86°/74°F (30.0°/23.2°C)
Jul 85°/73°F (29.5°/22.6°C)
Aug 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.8°C)
Sep 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.1°C)
Oct 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.4°C)
Nov 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.6°C)
Dec 87°/75°F (30.5°/23.8°C)

Data: Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN) Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Benin passport

Benin passport holder visiting Samoa

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

Samoa passport holder visiting Benin

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Samoa passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Benin.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Samoa?

Connectivity is usually fine (Samoa: 0.8 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Samoa offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Samoa safe for expats?

Samoa performs significantly better than Benin across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Samoa compared to Benin?

Benin generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 5.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Samoa, compared to 2.0 in Benin. Samoa scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Benin: 38).

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

The average high temperature in Apia is 86°F, compared to None°F in Porto-novo. Apia receives around 116.7 in of rainfall per year, while Porto-novo gets 47.0 in.

What language do they speak in Samoa?

The official languages in Samoa are English and Samoan. In Benin, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

BJ WS
Population 13,754,688 206,179
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) Samoan Tala (WST)
Languages French English, Samoan
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +229 +685
Time zones 1 1