Moving to Canada from Botswana

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Botswana to Canada. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Toronto averages 55°F vs 83°F in Gaborone, making it significantly cooler.

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

Get free moving quotes to Canada

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

Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Botswana to Canada, based on official data.

Moved in 2023
40

people moved from Botswana to Canada · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Canada?

Top countries of origin for Canada's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Botswana to Canada.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

BW
11.4
CA
2.0
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BW
16.5
CA
4.7

Canada performs significantly better than Botswana across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

BW
$1,310
CA
$7,646
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2023

affects wait times and access to care

BW
3.8
CA
28.2

Botswana generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada 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

BW
55.0
CA
8.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BW
2.7t
CA
14.0t

Botswana generally does better on environment, though Canada leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BW
7.4
CA
42.5
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BW
2.2%
CA
3.7%

Canada generally does better on infrastructure, though Botswana leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

BW
24.5%
CA
6.9%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

BW
$7,778
CA
$55,698

Canada generally does better on employment & economy, though Botswana leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

BW
69.3 yrs
CA
82.1 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BW
32.1
CA
4.7

Canada generally does better on family life, though Botswana leads in education spending.

Sources: World Bank (2015–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), Botswana Unified Revenue Service (2016), Canada Revenue Agency (2016), The World Factbook (2008). How we calculate this

Weather in Canada vs Botswana

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Gaborone Rain: 21.7 in/yr (552 mm)
83° / 56°F

Avg. annual high / low

Toronto Rain: 32.8 in/yr (834 mm)
55° / 42°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Gaborone Toronto
Jan–Mar 88°/66°F (31°/19°C) 34°/23°F (1°/-5°C)
Apr–Jun 77°/48°F (25°/9°C) 64°/49°F (18°/10°C)
Jul–Sep 79°/47°F (26°/8°C) 76°/61°F (24°/16°C)
Oct–Dec 89°/64°F (32°/18°C) 46°/35°F (8°/2°C)
View all months
Month Gaborone Toronto
Jan 90°/67°F (32.5°/19.4°C) 30°/19°F (-1.1°/-7.3°C)
Feb 89°/67°F (31.5°/19.3°C) 32°/21°F (-0.2°/-6.3°C)
Mar 86°/63°F (30.2°/17.4°C) 40°/28°F (4.6°/-2.0°C)
Apr 82°/56°F (27.8°/13.4°C) 52°/39°F (11.3°/3.8°C)
May 78°/47°F (25.4°/8.3°C) 65°/50°F (18.5°/9.9°C)
Jun 72°/40°F (22.5°/4.6°C) 74°/59°F (23.5°/14.8°C)
Jul 73°/40°F (22.8°/4.6°C) 80°/64°F (26.4°/17.9°C)
Aug 78°/46°F (25.7°/7.6°C) 78°/63°F (25.3°/17.3°C)
Sep 85°/54°F (29.6°/12.5°C) 69°/56°F (20.7°/13.2°C)
Oct 88°/61°F (31.0°/16.2°C) 57°/45°F (13.8°/7.3°C)
Nov 89°/64°F (31.5°/17.9°C) 45°/36°F (7.4°/2.2°C)
Dec 90°/66°F (32.3°/18.8°C) 35°/25°F (1.8°/-3.7°C)

Data: Botswana Meteorological Services Botswana Meteorological Services, Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada

Can you move from Botswana to Canada?

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

Botswana passport

Botswana passport holder visiting Canada

Visa Required
Botswana passport holders need a visa to enter Canada.
Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Botswana

Visa Free
Canada passport holders can enter Botswana 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 Canada?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Canada has 42.5 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 Canada safe for expats?

Canada performs significantly better than Botswana across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Canada is 2.0 per 100,000 people, compared to 11.4 in Botswana.

How is healthcare in Canada compared to Botswana?

Botswana generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 28.2 doctors per 10,000 people in Canada, compared to 3.8 in Botswana. Canada scores 91 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Botswana: 55).

What's the weather like in Canada compared to Botswana?

The average high temperature in Toronto is 55°F, compared to 83°F in Gaborone. Toronto receives around 32.8 in of rainfall per year, while Gaborone gets 21.7 in.

What language do they speak in Canada?

The official languages in Canada are English and French. In Botswana, the official languages are English and Tswana.

Share this

At a Glance

BW CA
Population 2,562,122 41,651,653
Currency Botswanan Pula (BWP) Canadian Dollar (CA$)
Languages English, Tswana English, French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +267 +1
Time zones 1 6
Emergency number 999 911