Moving to Zimbabwe from Benin

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Benin to Zimbabwe, and you’d need to navigate life in Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zimbabwean Sign Language. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to Zimbabwe

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Benin to Zimbabwe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BJ
1.1
ZW
6.8
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BJ
24.8
ZW
29.9

Benin performs better than Zimbabwe across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BJ
$138
ZW
$103
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2023

affects wait times and access to care

BJ
2.2
ZW
1.4

Benin generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe 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
ZW
56.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BJ
0.5t
ZW
0.8t

Benin generally does better on environment, though Zimbabwe 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
ZW
1.9
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BJ
1.0%
ZW
46.1%

Zimbabwe generally does better on infrastructure, though Benin leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

BJ
1.6%
ZW
9.3%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

BJ
$1,658
ZW
$3,021

Benin generally does better on employment & economy, though Zimbabwe leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

BJ
61.0 yrs
ZW
63.1 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BJ
45.2
ZW
62.4

Benin generally does better on family life, though Zimbabwe leads in life expectancy.

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

Harare Rain: 33.1 in/yr (841 mm)
78° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Porto-novo Harare
Jan–Mar — 79°/59°F (26°/15°C)
Apr–Jun — 75°/49°F (24°/10°C)
Jul–Sep — 76°/48°F (25°/9°C)
Oct–Dec — 82°/59°F (28°/15°C)
View all months
Month Porto-novo Harare
Jan — 79°/60°F (26.2°/15.8°C)
Feb — 79°/60°F (26.0°/15.7°C)
Mar — 79°/58°F (26.2°/14.5°C)
Apr — 78°/54°F (25.6°/12.5°C)
May — 75°/49°F (23.8°/9.3°C)
Jun — 71°/44°F (21.8°/6.8°C)
Jul — 71°/44°F (21.6°/6.5°C)
Aug — 75°/47°F (24.1°/8.5°C)
Sep — 83°/53°F (28.4°/11.7°C)
Oct — 84°/58°F (28.8°/14.5°C)
Nov — 82°/60°F (27.6°/15.5°C)
Dec — 79°/60°F (26.3°/15.8°C)

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Benin passport

Benin passport holder visiting Zimbabwe

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

Zimbabwe passport holder visiting Benin

Visa Free
Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe safe for expats?

Benin performs better than Zimbabwe across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Zimbabwe is 6.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in Benin.

How is healthcare in Zimbabwe compared to Benin?

Benin generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Zimbabwe, compared to 2.2 in Benin. Zimbabwe scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Benin: 38).

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

The average high temperature in Harare is 78°F, compared to None°F in Porto-novo. Harare receives around 33.1 in of rainfall per year, while Porto-novo gets 47.0 in.

What language do they speak in Zimbabwe?

The official languages in Zimbabwe are Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zimbabwean Sign Language. In Benin, the official language is French.

Share this

At a Glance

BJ ZW
Population 14,814,460 16,950,795
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL)
Languages French Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +229 +263
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number — 999