Moving to Zambia from Benin

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Benin to Zambia, and you’d need to navigate life in English. 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 Zambia compared to Benin.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2017

per 100,000 people per year

BJ
1.1
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BJ
24.8
ZM
17.1

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BJ
$138
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2023

affects wait times and access to care

BJ
2.2
ZM
3.2

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin 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

BJ
77.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BJ
0.5t
ZM
0.5t

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

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BJ
0.3
ZM
0.8
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BJ
1.0%
ZM
2.8%

Benin generally does better on infrastructure, though Zambia 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%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

BJ
$1,658
ZM
$1,318

Benin performs better than Zambia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

BJ
61.0 yrs
ZM
66.5 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BJ
45.2
ZM
34.6

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

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

Lusaka Rain: 31.4 in/yr (798 mm)
80° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Porto-novo Lusaka
Jan–Mar — 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun — 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep — 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec — 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Porto-novo Lusaka
Jan — 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb — 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar — 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr — 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May — 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun — 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul — 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug — 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep — 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct — 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov — 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec — 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN) Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN), Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Benin passport

Benin passport holder visiting Zambia

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

Zambia passport holder visiting Benin

Visa Free
Zambia 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 Zambia?

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

Is Zambia safe for expats?

Benin generally does better on safety, though Zambia leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in Benin.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Benin?

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 3.2 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 2.2 in Benin. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Benin: 38).

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

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to None°F in Porto-novo. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Porto-novo gets 47.0 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

The official language in Zambia is English. In Benin, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

BJ ZM
Population 14,814,460 21,913,874
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages French English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +229 +260
Time zones 1 1